Ok, I'll bite! I had posted that some sisters from my alumnae club were participitating in the Avon Breast Cancer Walk (2 day) in Chicago. Well, it was the first weekend in June and one of the sisters emailed this out:
Dearest Friends and Family:
Thank you again for your support of this year's Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. I am very happy to report back to you from the event!
This year's walk went really well and even had a few surprises in store for us! On June 4th we got up at 4:30am so we could get to Soldier Field for opening ceremonies by 6:00am. Opening ceremonies provided us with some stretching and safety information before a five-time survivor of cancer spoke with us about her journey. She shared an amazing story and reminded us that we walk so that others will be able to survive and a cure can be found. We found out there were over 2,000 walkers, of whom 195 were breast cancer survivors. It was also announced that we had raised over 5.4 million dollars in the Chicago walk!
After a wonderful send off, we began our walk up the lakeshore. It was a little hazy, but still beautiful. We learned a lesson from last year- start at the front of the pack! We were able to make great time and were ahead of our time last year by two hours! It was great fun to walk with my sister Angie, Alpha Gam sisters Andrea and Shannon, and our new friend Tracy who we met at the walk last year.
When we reached mile 13, the sun was out and the haze was gone. It was really warm, but Angie and I decided to keep walking. We wanted to complete the 26.4 miles that day. As we passed mile 17, we felt something with the weather was changing. Instead of heat, we were feeling cold gusts of air. A big thunderstorm was on the way. We kept walking hoping we could make it to the next rest stop. As we were getting our rain gear on, the downpour started. We managed to find shelter under some trees next to a house. Angie and I decided to wait it out a bit. We even had a few other walkers join us under the trees. As the rain slowed, we decided to go ahead but it didn't stop us from getting soaked. We made it to the 18.4 mark and rest stop. At that point our shoes were drenched and we risked getting many blisters so we decided to stop there.
We got a ride back to the Wellness Village where things were very wet but everyone was in great spirits. There were no gray skies or rain that could ruin this event. We were walking for our loved ones, in memory of mothers and in hope for our daughters. The strength and power of people rallying around a cause is amazing.
The morning of the 5th came early as we were up by 6:00am. We ate a big breakfast and started out again on the route at 7:30am. The second day, I found myself having the same issues with my feet as last year. I walked much slower and in more pain this day. Tracy walked with me this day as Angie, Andrea and Shannon had a great pace going. When we finally reached the second rest stop, I needed a break so Tracy and I caught the bus to lunch. We were able to catch up with the rest of the crew and eat together. At lunch, I iced my feet and took some more Advil. I was ready for the last 3.5 miles of the walk to closing ceremonies. As we walked back up the shoreline and neared Soldier Field and the finish line, it was a great feeling. For 2 blocks, people lined the sidewalks and cheered us in to the finish. I knew what was coming from my experience last year, but was still overwhelmed with emotions. Overall, I had completed 28 miles of the
At closing ceremonies, all the walkers marched in together cheered on by family members and friends. We witnessed five organizations received funding for their programs as a result of your generosity. They were all so appreciative and one woman was in tears as she received a check to fund mammography stations in high-risk areas where there is limited access to health care.
I will never forget these moments and plan to participate whenever possible for this cause. Thank you again for your support and for sponsoring me so I could walk. I know that Ginny and Marylou are thankful that I walk in their honor. May they continue to be successful in their fight against breast cancer. I hope you will enjoy looking at my pictures from the event. Below you will find the address that will take you to my pictures.
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=...5&x=0&y=iruaml
Hope. Togetherness. Celebrate. Tribute. Beauty. And a blister or two. We helped women and men here, now and forever.
Love to all,
Amber
The two women that she dedicated her walk to are also Alpha Gams, one of whom is the resident supervisor at Alpha Beta. Amber was the CA for Alpha Beta for the last several years but is leaving us to go to grad school in Florida. She is from Texas originally (I don't remember which chapter, sorry). We are going to miss her so much because she is so dedicated to Alpha Gamma Delta and is truly a wonderful person.
LIEP,
Dee
so, hopefully, she'll actually post!
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