September Update

Only 43 days until I hit the streets of Atlanta to conquer 60 miles in 3 days! If you haven't donated yet, please do so today. Your donation is 100% tax deductible. Click here to donate.

The training miles are really adding up quickly. So far I've walked 371 miles and raised $2,970. Our team is walking every weekend and you are welcome to join us. Just let me know you are interested and I can send you an invitation.

I am also running on Monday and Thursday nights in preparation for the 7th Annual Liz Hurley Ribbon Run one week before walking in Atlanta. You may donate to the Huntsville Hospital Foundation by clicking here. All money raised will be used to bring Breast Specific Gamma Imaging (BSGI) to the Tennessee Valley. BSGI is a follow-up to mammography that can significantly aid in the detection of early breast cancer by providing a more precise image of breast tissue. BSGI aids in determining the extent of the disease and provides less false positive readings than previous technologies. Early detection saves lives…help us make every breast cancer patient a survivor!

If you are a 3 Day walker within driving distance of Huntsville, you are invited to DIVA Night at New Balance Friday, September 17. Send me an email and I'll give you the details!

Pink for Life and New Balance will be hosting a Breast Cancer Survivors' Walk Tuesday, October 5 @ 6:30. Know a survivor? Email me and I'll pass along the details.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and New Balance of Huntsville will donate $1 of every sale to Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure on behalf of our team. Please visit James and his staff and show your support for Pink for Life. New Balance is located at 1395 Enterprise Way between Five Guys and Jason's Deli.

Team Pink for Life would like to officially welcome Abby Clark  and Susan Foerke to our team! Together we have raised over $24,000 for breast cancer research and community programs.

September 1st ALREADY!?

The excitement is building as the days are counting down. Atlanta spectator information was posted today and you can also send walkers/crew a letter from home. Make sure they are postmarked by October 12. Click here for address.

Pink for Life will be hosting a DIVA night for any 3 Day walker willing to travel to Huntsville on Friday, September 17. Email for an invite.

Pink for Life will also be hosting a Breast Cancer Survivors' Walk on Tuesday, October 5 at New Balance.

I am one of 10 finalists to win the "Meet Your Goal" contest from All Plus Size Bras.  Please vote to help me win $250 toward reaching my goal of $5000 for Susan G.Komen.

12 miles or more

This past Saturday, July 3 several of my team members and I met to walk 12 miles at 6am. I mapped a 4 mile loop with stops for potty breaks and water refills with intentions of walking the loop three times. AGAIN Stacie, Trina and Jenny are off to the races and I walked with Mary and her husband Larry.

Within the first few minutes of the walk, we encountered a dead snake much to Mary's dismay :) She squealed and danced a little and tried not to look down again. Along the way, Mary and Larry were picking up trash on the side of the road. Larry even picked up an empty R rated DVD case ;) and quickly dumped it at the end of the first four mile loop. After a quick potty break and a little stretching, I told them that we were at the area that they have heard us talk about (Aldridge Creek Greenway). They were curious since it goes all the way to the Tennessee River. Larry asked how many miles to the river and I said about 8 there and back. So we headed off to Ditto Landing and the TN River.

Once we got to Green Cove Rd, I noticed hundreds of runners. Oh no! I had forgotten the Firecracker 5k started at my church at 8am. We just kept on walking and walking and walking. We reached the end of the Greenway and filled my water bottle up with nice cold water from the cooler thanks to my church :) Larry wanted to keep going so we went to the boat dock area and made the loop. Mary insisted that Larry walk back himself and bring the car to pick her up. Unfortunately, he didn't! We finally made it back to our starting point at 10am. I think total mileage was 13-14.

I guess my body is getting used to the miles as I didn't ache at all after Sunday. I could still feel the last 10 mile walk on the following Wednesday. I'm working on a 5 mile loop 3x with Team Brock 360 for July 31. I will be posting an official training walk and sending invites soon.

I did it!

With your donations, generosity, support and encouragement, I have exceeded the required minimum donation of $2,300 in less than four months. I feel much more needs to be said but all I can say is THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart and sore feet :) Together we can make a difference!

Our team still has several members that need to meet the minimum and I am asking my friends and family to please click on a team member's name and help us reach our goal of $17,500. Donate here. Please keep in mind that as a member of the 3 Day Crew, Rachael and Lindsey are not required to raise funds. However, you may donate to them if you wish.

Keep in mind that we will be sleeping in 6x6 tents, taking showers in a semi, using port-a-potties, no electricity for a hair dryer or flat iron and walking 60 miles in 3 days.

Your donations will help fund a cure for breast cancer. Much has been done in the recent years to extend the lives of many men and women effected by breast cancer and recently a vaccine has been developed. Clinical tests are currently underway on humans and hopefully it will be available soon.

I hope everyone understands that the 3 Day isn't ALL about the money. It really is about raising awareness and I have had several people tell me 'thank you' for what I'm doing. With all of my Facebook status changes, event fliers and emails, they have discovered a lump or spot on their breast(s) and gone to the doctor to have it checked. Some have even had their FIRST mammogram experience since I've joined the 3 Day family :)

Keep current on all our events by following Pink for Life on Facebook.

Pinko de Mayo Update

Honor the women in your life (mother, sister, daughter, friend, grandmother, sister-in-law) this May with a donation to Susan G. Komen on my behalf. I will not sit back while breast cancer robs another grandmother the chance of seeing her grandchildren grow up or prevents best friends from growing old together. Don’t delay. Click today! http://the3day.org/goto/tammyk  Help me reach my goal of $2500 by July 2.

The picture below is one of the last times my children got to see their great-grandmother. She never got to see what a beautiful young woman my daughter has become. She never got to see my son become a mature young man that wants to serve our country. She never got to see my youngest daughter play t-ball, soccer or watch her at tumbling practice. She never got to see the mischievous things that my 4 year old son can get into.

So far I've raised $2090 - only $410 to reach my goal! Currently I am at 80% and my team is at 48% of our goal. A HUGE thank you to those of you who have already donated!

If you still aren’t sure about making a donation, please remember that all walkers and crew members will be sleeping in 6x6 two person tents, taking showers in a semi-trailer, brushing our teeth at a sink outside the semi and there will be no electrical outlets for hair dryers and flat irons. We all have invested our own money purchasing the proper shoes, socks and other training gear necessary for the event and the training time alone takes away from our family time. This is a huge commitment for us and we take it seriously. Your financial support is greatly appreciated. http://the3day.org/goto/tammyk  

If you can’t donate financially, there are other ways to help. Please email  and I will pass along the information.

 

Pink for Life consists of eight women from Huntsville and Harvest and we have room for you if you’d like to join. Use code MAY2010 until midnight May 9 to receive $20 off registration. Register by calling 1-800-996-3329 or online.

Pink for Life is busy planning/scheduling several fundraisers and would greatly appreciate your continued support. You can follow us on facebook and keep track of all our events from the events tab http://facebook.com/teampinkforlife

Ø       April 26 – May 14 – Penny Wars at Mtn. Gap Elementary – Week 1 resulted in $1,030.23

Ø       May 11 – Schlotzsky’s both Huntsville locations will donate a percentage of sales ALL day to Pink for Life if you wear pink or mention Pink for Life.

Ø       May 15 – Car wash at CVS on Cecil Ashburn Dr 10am – 2pm (donations accepted)

Ø       May 20 – Nothing But Noodle’s both Huntsville locations will donate a percentage of sales ALL day to Pink for Life if you wear pink or mention Pink for Life.

Ø       May 25 – Five Guys Burgers and Fries both Huntsville locations will donate a percentage of sales ALL day to Pink for Life if you wear pink or mention Pink for Life.

Ø       July 9 – Shop for the Cure at Trinity United Methodist Church on Airport Rd 5pm – 8pm

Other ongoing fundraisers:

Ø       Pink for Life items are now available for purchase in our store. http://cafepress.com/pinkforlife (I have the beach tote bag and mini buttons if you’d like to see)

Ø       I have also partnered with sewgirlie.com and they offer some fantastic items for baby showers, birthdays, Mother’s Day and graduation. Please look at their site and at checkout put code “Klueger” in the comments section and they will donate 10% (before shipping) to Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure on my behalf.

Ø       I currently have an online Pampered Chef Party for the month of May and the host will donate 25% of her profits to Susan G. Komen on my behalf. Pampered Chef has new limited edition products featured that are PINK to help Whip Cancer and $1 goes to the American Cancer Society.                            http://www.pamperedchef.biz/shankomp?page=host-search-results&showId=2596297

Ø       We also have our team t-shirts for sale. Adult sizes are $15 and youth sizes are $10. Email me if you would like to purchase one. 

Pink for Life will be participating in the Susan G. Komen 3 Day for the Cure in Atlanta, October 22-24. You are invited to attend the closing ceremony on Sunday, October 24 to experience the most unforgettable time of your life, especially if someone you know has been affected by breast cancer.

If you made a donation in honor or memory of someone, you can see the names on my personal donation page http://the3day.org/goto/tammyk  and my personal blog http://tammyk3day.blogspot.com. The names of these individuals will also be on the back of my 3 Day credential as I walk each mile.

Thank you for your support!

Penny Wars Amazing Response

This past week was week one of Penny Wars at my daughter's elementary school. The principal had told me not to expect much but I told her a penny was more than nothing. There are 17 classrooms kindergarten through 5th grade with 350 students. I stopped by the school every morning and was amazed at all the money the kids were donating. Friday while my teammate, Stacie, and I were collecting the money, one of the teachers told us she was a 13 year survivor and thanked us for what we were doing.

This little girl brought in at least $40 this week and her class has the most money donated with a total of $149.39.

Today, while at the credit union, I learned that one of the employees is a four year survivor. Every time someone tells me they are a survivor or know someone who is (or has died from breast cancer), I get choked up. I can't imagine what emotions one goes through when they get the diagnosis.

The teacher and the credit union employee have been added to the long list of survivors that I will walk in honor of. Breast cancer research is working and extending the lives of so many. Every dollar makes a difference and it is greatly appreciated!

Thank you Mtn.Gap Elementary students for raising $1,030.23 in week 1 of Penny Wars!

Watch Us Grow

Isn't that the saying when a business expands? Pink for Life is growing and I'm loving it! We now officially have seven members with one more to join soon. I am so excited to see what this journey has in store for all of us.

If you are in Huntsville or surrounding area, please visit these restaurants/locations who are graciously supporting Pink for Life.

If you aren't following us on facebook, what are you waiting for? We list all of our events and happenings along with any other exciting news in the breast cancer world.

Just an update on my personal donation page. I am at 79% of meeting the $2300 minimum and 73% of meeting my goal of $2500. I think it's time to increase my goal.

Want to join our team or donate? Click here.

How many fundraisers does it take to drive a team captain batty?

Where do I begin? Honestly, I don't know. I have so many things going on and I MUST gain control before it's too late. I have several fundraisers for myself and the team has several as well. Add a birthday party in the mix and I'm ready for Calgon!

Individual fundraisers:

• Sewgirlie.com will donate 10% of your purchase (before shipping) to Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure on my behalf. You must type "Klueger" in the comments section at checkout.
• Angelofgrace.com has provided beautiful breast cancer awareness bracelets for me to sell.
• 2010-2011 breast cancer awareness planners
• Breast cancer awareness checkbook covers
• Baking and selling items at work
• Online Pampered Chef party scheduled for May

Team fundraisers:

• Family Fun Walk (tomorrow)
• Penny Wars at the elementary school (April 26 - May 14)
• Four car washes (May, June, July, August)
• Vendor Party (July)
• Rummage Sale (not scheduled yet)

Our team is expanding thanks to some encouraging/inspiring teammates. Keep up the great work ladies.

We received our team t-shirts Tuesday and they are________. You fill in the blank. Adult sizes are $15 and youth sizes are $10.Please let me know if you would like to purchase a Pink for Life shirt.

I also received our banner to use at fundraisers Tuesday. I will probably order two more and maybe larger ones. What do you think?

 If you would like to donate or join our team, please visit http://the3day.org/goto/pinkforlife.

Welcome Stacie

Please welcome Stacie Flinn to team Pink for Life!

Stacie has set a personal goal of $5000. Way to go Stacie!

Family Fun Walk

 Sunday, April 18th

1-3 pm

at the Madison County Nature Trail

Admission is FREE, bring your lunch!

Donations greatly appreciated.

Bring a picnic lunch and walk around beautiful Sky Lake! Admission is FREE but donations are greatly appreciated. Help support Team Pink for Life as they train to walk 60 miles in 3 days in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure in Atlanta October 22-24.

Eat lunch at the covered pavilion, watch the kids feed the ducks and enjoy time with friends. After lunch, you can stroll around Sky Lake on a beautiful 1.5 mile loop.

Pink for Life is an all-volunteer team dedicated to raising awareness and funds for breast cancer research and community programs.

To donate online or join Pink for Life, please visit:
http://the3day.org/goto/pinkforlife

Pink for Life Expands

Team Pink for Life now has three members (myself, Jenny McNees and Trina Foslien). We had a 5 mile training walk this past Saturday and three other ladies joined us. I'm hoping two of them will join Pink for Life. The more the merrier :) If you are reading this (Joyce and Mary), please consider joining us. I really enjoyed getting to know you both.

We have several fundraising ideas and need to sit down and discuss what we want to do. I have no doubt that we all will raise more than our minimum requirement of $2300.

If you have already donated, THANK YOU! If you haven't, you can donate securely online at http://the3day.org/goto/tammyk

My donations to date are $1405 and $1095 from my goal of $2500.

Training and Donation Update

It's officially spring break but our weather is still cool and windy. The weather hasn't cooperated over the last two weeks so I'm running a little behind on training. We still have 31 weeks until the event so we should have plenty of time to get our training completed.

Team Pink for Life is planning the first fundraiser and details will be posted when it is finalized.

Donations were mailed last week and I have more to mail this week. Once it's all posted, I will be at $1355 and only $1145 from my goal. I can't explain how much each generous donation means to me. I get excited every time I see the email from Susan G. Komen that a donation has been made on my behalf :) I wish ALL of you could be at the closing ceremony to experience this wonderful event.

I made a ribbon tree to visually honor those that I'm walking for. It is quite the conversation starter at work and has even caused some people to donate who might not have otherwise. The picture was taken at home with poor lighting so I will try to remember and take one of it sitting on my desk at work and re-post.

Donations are tax deductible and can be made online securely at http://the3day.org/goto/tammyk

Fundraisers

So I've been reading the message boards at The 3 Day and getting some great ideas for fundraisers. The only thing....I don't ride a motorcycle. I don't play poker and I don't bake! So what's a girl to do? My husband loves to fish so I asked his opinion about a fishing tournament. Normally each fisherman/boat pays a set entry fee and other fees for big fish, etc. The set entry fee is then divided among the first, second and third place winners. The fisherman with the biggest fish gets all the money from the big fish pool. He suggested increasing the entry fee by $10/20 and donate that portion to my 3 Day fundraising. What a great idea! Now I need to get busy talking to people who can make this happen.

I still have cash/check donations to be mailed and it will bring my total to $1070 and only $1430 from my goal. Thank you from the bottom of my heart and aching feet for each donation!

If you haven't donated, it's not too late. You can choose to divide your donation into four monthly payments which allows you to donate more if you desire.

Donate securely online at http://the3day.org/goto/tammyk

Pink for Life

Woohoo! We have a team logo. I posted on the team captain message board at the 3 Day asking for help on a design. Tina said she would be happy to help me for a small donation on her behalf. She did a fantastic job on our logo and was also speedy. I am very pleased with her work and recommend her for others who might need help. She can be reached via email.

So what do you think?

My 3 Day Journey Begins

So yesterday I finally hit the submit button and I am officially registered for the Susan G. Komen 3 Day for the Cure in Atlanta October 22-24. I am up for the challenge. I think :) Surely I can walk 60 miles in 3 days. Don't you think? I have chosen to follow the 24 week training program although I have 37 weeks before the event.

I have wanted to do something meaningful for quite some time. I have a very good friend whose husband and son both were diagnosed with brain tumors in 2004 and founded Miles for Hope. Recently a dear friend of mine and former co-worker was diagnosed with a brain tumor as well. I really wanted to participate in the Miles for Hope - Moving Towards a Cure but I have a previous event scheduled for that weekend. The 3 Day gives me a chance to honor my grandmother who passed away a couple of years ago. She was a breast cancer survivor but lost her life to a blood clot.

By participating in the 3 Day, I am committed to walking 60 miles in 3 days as well as raising a minimum of $2300 to help raise awareness and find a cure for breast cancer. Would you please consider a donation of $10, $25, $50 or even $100? You may donate securely online via my 3 Day personal page, calling 800-996-3DAY or writing a check. If you prefer to write a check, please email me for details. If you would like to honor or remember someone with your donation please email me and I will add their name to my blog and my personal 3 Day page.

This blog will be my way of keeping everyone updated on my training progress as well as fundraising efforts.

Think Pink!