The End of a Mighty Event.

Today is Tuesday and the seventh and final 2013 Cleveland Susan G. Komen 3 Day for the Cure is over.  This was my third year walking the event and my final.  Budget cuts have forced the Komen Foundation to cut the number of walks from 14 to 7.  These are very costly events to mount and the dwindling number of participants has forced this decision.  Raising $2300 is very difficult in this economy and is probably one of the main reasons the numbers have dropped.  It has been a very worthy cause and I do hope to be able to continue my involvement in other cities in the future.

 I will not walk, but I will volunteer for a crew.  The walk takes a great toll on the bodies of the walkers.  I came home feeling like my feet were being held together by bandaids and adhesive tape and I ached all over.  When I do the walks there is the additional toll on my knees.  I had my second total knee replacement just 9 months before my first walk, but it is worth the tears, the blisters and the sunburn.

We start bright and early on Friday morning in downtown Cleveland.  Walkers and crew members drop off our luggage at trucks in the parking lot for Browns Stadium.  Then it is on to Dock 32 to the Opening Ceremonies.  Flag bearers tell their stories of inspiration and Dr. Sherri Phillips, the National Spokesperson, get us motivated and we are off on the route.  As we leave each walker is hugged by Rosie, the Hug Lady.  She is a survivor who greets each of us as we leave and upon our return with a hug. 

Our route on Friday took us all around downtown Cleveland, to Edgewater Park, Lakewood Park, Rocky River Reservation, Fairview Park and into Westlake to camp for the night. 

Walkers have the option of camping or making other arrangements.  For those of us who camp we get a two person pink tent.  We are greeted by volunteers who pick up our luggage and high school football players who have volunteered to build our tents.  Then it is dinner, a shower and a massage in the chairs Bank of America provides.  Lights out at 9:30 really doesn’t come soon enough.  We are physically and emotionally drained.  Of course we just settle into sleep when thunderstorms wake us and Jeremy just had a special touch and lots of compassion.  By 7:30 everyone is out of camp and on the route.  Day two took us through Bay Village, Rocky River, Fairview Park and back to Westlake to camp.  Then camp was opened up for visitors.  This was something new and very enjoyable for those who had family and friends come visit.  Back to our tents for another night of rain filled sleep. 

Day three dawns and everyone has mixed emotions.  We are glad that it is coming to an end, but also very sad about that.  I was fortunate enough to be walking with a friend.  We both had blisters on our feet (which had never happened to me in previous walks) and were in pain, but we got as far as we could.  They have ‘sweep vans’ which will pick you up and take you to the next stop if you feel you can’t do it.  There is no shame in it, some are on it to collect the special pins they handout.  We all want to make it to the finish line, so more people do take short rides on Sunday.  Lunch was at Berea High School then it was off for the final 6.2 miles.  I wasn’t sure I would be able to do it due to back pain, but Shana and I kept each other going.  Having friends greet us at the Cheering Station helped, too.  We got to that finish line at Tri-C West and just collapsed.  Well, we collapsed after our finish line hug and picking up our Victory Shirts. 

It’s all over for Cleveland, but we still have not found a cure for breast cancer.  I hope the cure will come soon.  I will participate by walking in the Race for the Cure to be held this year on Saturday, September 21st in downtown Cleveland.  Registration is open and the fee is only $25.  There is no minimum amount to raise for this event.  So, if you are interested in entering you can go to the website, http://www.komenneohio.org/komen-race-for-the-cure/race-information/race-information-cleveland/, to register.  The race is a 5K (3.2 miles) that can be run or walked.  There is also a 1 mile walk and a kids dash.  It is a very worthy cause and it is also fun.  I hope to see you there.

This is the end of my blogging for this event.  I will be blogging for the Race as it gets nearer.  I hope to one day not need to blog for this cause.  I hope and pray for a cure and an end to this horrible disease.

Thank you for reading and I hope I have not bored you too much.