Team Pump Up the Pink on the end of Day 1
L-R: Kathy Grier, Kari Honsey, Me, Marcia Evans, Tanner Pump, Sara Stewart
Our Team name, Pump Up the Pink, is in honor of Tanner's mom, Pam. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in December. Kari worked with her at an Iowa City dentists' office before coming to our office. We had shirts made that listed on the backs (see below pic) the names of other family and friends that we walked for in memory of or in honor of survivors.
Getting our tents set up
Home Sweet Home for two nights.
It really wasn't too bad! We were in asleep between 9 and 10 and up by 5-5:30.
Our neighbors across the aisle "Breasteria Lane Step Sisters,"
have been doing this for nine years and have taken home the trophy in years past for tent decorating. Tanner had an Iowa flag pinned to his tent to represent for us. I left my ribbons I had brought in the bag, as they did not hold a candle to the creativity around!
Reward of back and feet massage chairs at the end of the long days!
They fed us well throughout the weekend, too!
Our favorite neighborhood to walk through was Day 2 through Mt. Prospect.
The police and firemen had pink uniforms!
A lot of houses and yards were festively decorated.
Lots of kiddos handing US candy, water, homemade cupcakes, cookies, sno-cones...wow!
These little cheerleaders made a special donation of $550 to Susan G Komen when we walked by. They had raised the money selling "Cheer for a Cure" t-shirts. After they presented a rep with the check, they lined the sidewalks and did cheers for us as we walked through!
Our personal cheerleaders, Uncle Sean and friend Jay came from Montezuma and (Kathy's Cousin) Mary (from Chicago) greeted us at the 2nd Day 2 Cheer station. How fun to see familiar faces!
"Angel," one of the many awesome crew members who helped block intersections and keep us safe. There were 1500 walkers and 450 crew members!
Many people we talked to on crew will also be walking in another city this year!
Day 3
Does this fanny pack make my butt look big?
Lovely afternoon showers in the windy city tried to damper our spirits for about 6 miles on Day 3.
But we prevailed!
We made it to Soldier Field!!!
We actually felt pretty good! A few blisters for some, sore muscles or knees for others, but we are very proud to report that every member of our team walked every mile!! No sweep van needed here!
Ben & Dave and other walkers family members met us at the field.
THANK YOU, BEN, for helping me train and supporting me in this journey!
These sisters were some of the several "Walker Stalkers" who popped up on the route several times a day cheering us on. These gals had funny jokes on signs and costumes that amused us.
"How do you scare bees?" "Boo-bees!"
Inside Soldier Field you were greeted with music and fellow walkers and crew giving you a celebrity welcome home. Such great positive energy!
All of the programs were amazing.
Emotional, heart-wrenching, inspiring.
During the closing ceremonies, all the walkers held up a shoe to recognize and honor the Survivors who had walked the walk and were gathered and those who were no longer here.
They also announced that the Chicago walk fundraised 4.2 million dollars!!!
Team Pump Up the Pink contributed over $22,000.:)
Thank you to all of my sponsors!!!
Above is a when they had people holding up flags of who they were walking for and those special people came out on stage with them. This moment broke me from teary eyed to sobbing.
The gal holding the "my friend" sign was crying holding the sign and then her very pregnant, chemo-battling friend joined her on stage. Wow.
"Everyone deserves a lifetime." Amen!
Thank you, team Pump Up the Pink, for joining in this journey.
This was one of the most memorable, humbling, and inspiring times of my life.
I've had people ask me why I did it and would I do it again.
Going into it, my answer for why was that I have a lot of patients and friends' families who have been affected by breast cancer, its a reputable charity for research and education, and it was a good fitness goal. During it, I found myself wanting to hear more and more of other walkers' and crew's stories. I felt guilty that I didn't feel like I had a story or deep personal drive or reason. But that, in itself is my reason. Yes, I want to walk it again....and again.
I want to walk in compassion and honor of the strength of others.
I want to walk in support of research to find a cure.
I want to walk in selfish hope that I do not have this disease affect a loved one, friend, or myself.
I want to walk in aim to not have a story.
"I walk the walk because I can not walk away."
(-quote from the memorial of a man who passed away this year who has participated in dozens of walks.)
