Before I scare anyone, I must say – I do not have breast cancer, and I never have. Sometimes, I realize that me saying that I actively fight against breast cancer makes it seem like I am afflicted myself, but that is certainly not the case!
I, like so many others, have definitely been affected by it, though!
In February of 2008, my mom had a mammogram, and had “microcalcifications,” which are cell groups the size of grains of sand. She was 47 years old, and they said that there was almost no likelihood that these were cancerous, but they wanted to check it out anyway.
Well, despite the lack of likelihood, they were cancer. A lumpectomy, mastectomy, radiation and chemo later – and my mom was finally deemed cancer-free.
Shortly after her diagnosis, a friend from college heard a commercial on the radio for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure, which is a 3-Day, 60-mile walk to fight breast cancer!
She called me and told me about it, and I loved the idea! She told me she was willing to walk with me. If she was willing to walk 60 miles, I sure as hell should be, too! So, we signed up, and did the walk in Chicago! A couple weeks after, I heard a radio commercial for a breast cancer cruise, and sort of wished she had heard that commercial first! 😂
To do the Susan G. Komen 3-Day, you generally have to pay a $90 registration fee (to cover food, lodging, medical supplies, etc during the three days of the walk. The logistics for organizing something like this have to be INSANE!) and you commit to raising at least $2,300 per walker.
That’s a huge fundraising goal! But, if there is one thing I have learned about tough times is that they show you who your friends are, and they come around to help!
This was no exception! A couple friends organized a fundraiser for me at a nightclub that no longer exists (where I met my fiance – sad)! Here’s the blog with the info about how it went! For some reason, the pics aren’t showing up, but here’s the link to the album on facebook, if you’re THAT curious! 😉
Here are a couple highlights – the whole group, and the big check from what was raised that night!
After a successful round of fundraising (including people who didn’t come to or contribute to that specific event, there was a successful first walk! We raised $9,808.56 that first here. Here’s a blog about it, and again, since the pictures aren’t working, here’s a link to an album on facebook!
I took the following year off of walking, as my teammate got married, and I was maid of honor – so that was a busy Summer!
In 2010, I was back at it, with the biggest team so far!
Here’s the link to the blog about it, as well as a facebook album with fundraising photos, and one with the walk itself!
Danielle (the girl who is not me in the photo above) is one of my best friends, and was my roommate many years during college, and beyond. She must have really loved the 3-Day experience, because she joined me for my third and her second 3-Day in Boston in 2011! (Facebook album pics here!)
Despite being put in the medical tent for an IV on the second hottest day of Boston’s recorded history, Danielle and I attracted two more team members for the Twin Cities walk in 2012!
The link to the facebook album is here, but this time, I made a video instead of a blog!
In 2013, we tried out a new midwestern city – Detroit! And, one of my Beachbody family joined me for the walk! Check us out – I made another video!
In 2014, there was a miscommunication, which led to me doing the 3-Day on my own in San Diego. One awesome thing – Tommy didn’t mind taking a trip to San Diego (we were considering moving there!). And since we had friends there, on one of the days, I got picked up at the end of the day for a friends thanksgiving, complete with a Turducken!
Last year, however, it was too much to plan a walk with the move. BUT!
I had all amazing experiences (minus the IV situation), so we are back at it! Danielle will be joining me, and we are taking on San Diego and the enormous hills again!
You can click here to donate to my cause!
Like last time, my goal is to raise over $2,300, and I am hoping to get a donation from each of all 50 states!
And, you are also more than welcome to join our team! In fact, I was recently given a couple discount codes that will make it easier:
Thanks to a new 3-Day sponsor, any walker (new or returning) who registers between April 5 – May 2 will see $150 added to their 3-Day fundraising account by the week of May 9th. We know that the 3-Day® is a big commitment and we think you’ll agree this is a great way for someone to get their fundraising started with early momentum and ultimate success.
One further perk: If they register as a 3-Day walker before April 13th with the discount code TEAM20, their registration fee is only $50 (a $20 savings).
And, of course – in case you do join… Here’s a video on how to prepare to walk in the 3-day! 😉
Do you have any amazing fundraising ideas for me? 😉
[Tweet “Fighting breast cancer by walking – part 7! Via @Mandelicious “]
xoxo,
Mandie
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