Weekend To End Breast Cancer 2008

I don't even know where to begin. This was an absolutely incredible weekend, one that I would suggest YOU should experience at least once in your life! Definitely physically and emotionally exhausting like none other but WOW - incredible!

It all started out with the sign-in and the safety video presentation Friday night. With the high energy permeating all around me I found myself signing up for the 2009 Weekend to End Breast Cancer (I still need to update my 2009 webpage) as did my sister-in-law......all for the cool limited addition shirt we kept telling ourselves!!

7:30 am Saturday morning 1600 participants began the walk, a 35 km day. About 5 kms into the walk we befriended a solo walker - Jamie. Throughout the day we laughed with, were cheered at, and were encouraged by so many amazing people whether it was crew, fellow walkers, drivers, strangers, family and friends......

It was about the last 10 kms where I could feel myself struggling. Physically I was becoming tired and encouraged my team mates to walk ahead of me and this is when I became emotionally exhausted. Alone in the heat of the day but not truly alone. At a cheering point I recognized a mother and daughter from my children's school encouraging, cheering. At that moment recognizing someone on a more personal level made the tears swell up but it wasn't until I reached the last pit stop with just under 4 kms to go that the tears started. I saw my chemo oncologist. The first time I've seen her since my very last appointment with her back in November. Then with only 1/2 a block to go I passed a home with a little girl and her father cheering me, I could hear him say that I was a survivor......well what a flood of emotions and at this point totally physically exhausted I really was a mess, thank goodness for sunglasses!!

Finally, 11 hours after starting I walked into to camp completing the 35 km walk - I DID IT! After a shower, having a couple blisters looked at by the medical team and a quick bite to eat it was time for bed - exhausted. Not long after getting settled into bed sprinklers suddenly went off and all you could hear was the sure shock from screams and laughter but they went off almost as fast as they went on.

7:00 am Sunday morning and we were on the trails again. This time not so spry but still full of energy. I was still physically exhausted and quickly knew that I wouldn't be able to complete the day. My hip was giving me excruciating pain as I walked so after 5 kms I pulled the plug. A little disheartened that I couldn't complete the 60 kms but at the same time very proud of myself that only 9 months after completing treatments I was able to complete 40 of the 60 kms. WAHOO!! Hanging out with my sister and brother driving from pit stop to pit stop cheering on our team mates was still an exhilarating day. Finally....the 4 of us together crossed the finish line being cheered at and high fived.

Of course nothing can prepare oneself for the closing ceremony. Already on an emotional overload it became even more of one when I helped a fellow survivor walk into the closing ceremony. A cancer survivor for 5 years only to find out that it has come back in her spine, tailbone, liver and one lung - it was an honour to walk beside her, to see and feel her strength. First the walkers, then the crew, then the survivors followed by empty shoes representing those that have passed on. 1600 walkers with just over 4.1 million dollars raised and the 2008 Weekend to End Breast Cancer was completed. I am honoured to have been a part of such an amazing event and am PUMPED for 2009!!!

L to R: Jen, Diana, Tricia, Nikki - All For One Team

Thank you to Cooper's Foods, Harvest Meats and Weston Breads without your donations our hot dog sales wouldn't have been as much of a success as they were! Thanks to my Uncle Animal, Jack, Donna and their friend Gina for starting the 'Bald is Beautiful' campaign on the Island, the fundraising efforts were tremendous and made our success all that much more! And of course many many many thanks to all of you who made a donation, I couldn't have done it without you!

Most of all a huge thank you to the All For One Team. I am so honoured to have been a part of this event with them - my sister-in-law Nikki, cousin Diana and sisters Tricia and Tamsen. Tamsen wasn't able to make it due to a sudden family move for school but she was so involved throughout the year with planning, training and fundraising that even though she couldn't make it she was certainly in my heart.