I know every time I see an Avon Walk for Breast Cancer commercial I am immediately drawn into the story. I am amazed by those walkers who take the time to go the 39 miles to help raise money for the cure. I know many people who have fought battles with cancer and all I wanted for them to is to know there are options and a way to help cure them, to heal them. Recently, my friend at work, Kim aka “Maj”, shared that she was going to be walk the 39 miles this year and this is actually her 3rd year taking the trek and then I read what she wrote about her experience…
“I took it upon myself to make last year’s walk a personal challenge. Could I really walk 39 miles? Would my feet hold out? Would I be blistered again? Needless to say, I was able to do the full 39 miles. Blistering was mild, legs very sore and my hip killing me, I kept going….you know why? Because that pain I felt was NOTHING compared to what people with cancer must go through. My blisters healed, my body stopped aching, I resumed my normal life. Some people with cancer don’t get their normal life back. Some don’t ever heal. That’s the stuff that keeps me going… continually reminding myself, these people that are receiving the money you raised are being helped. They’re being taken care of. Do it for them…keep walking! People that get sick, especially stricken with breast cancer, should never have to wonder where they’ll get money to receive the treatment they need.”
I think during these long days of winter in Chicago, I am always looking for inspiration and today Maj was my inspiration. She made me remember if you take on a challenge, if you make an effort to do one big or little thing to make a difference it can have a ripple effect. It can be the thing that helps bring change in the world.
It reminded me of a quote that I love “too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around” – leo buscaglia.
Researching my next challenge or volunteer adventure now, I’ll keep you posted. And if you see the Avon walkers go by on June 1st or 2nd in Chicago, give a shout out to Maj or better yet, support her by pledging to help find a cure.
Thank you for posting this Maureen!!! I appreciate all the support and generosity!!! It’s amazing to me…I am very humbled by the amount of support everyone around me gives me. The first thing I noticed when I came to MSI was the sense of family. My MSI family means the world to me!!! I appreciate each of you more then you will ever know!!!
The more of us who walk…the more of us survive!!!
Thanks again buddy!!!