3-Day for the Cure

I have officially signed up to participate in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure.  I'm very excited, a little nervous, and ready to take on the challenge.  If you would like to donate, track my progress, or just visit the site, my page is: http://www.the3day.org/goto/Caelie

What is it?

3-Day for the Cure is a 3 day (as the name implies) walk.  Each day you walk between 15-22 miles, sleep in a tent at camp with other participants, and end up walking a total of about 60 miles.  If you think that sounds difficult, get this: in order to participate, you must raise at least $2300!  I'll be participating in the Dallas 3-Day November 4-6, so that gives me about 8 months to raise all that money!

Why?

As most of you know, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer during my freshman year of college.  Obviously, this was a life-changing event for everyone in my family.  The cancer and the chemotherapy kicked my mom's butt.  She was unable to eat or leave her bed for weeks at a time.  Words cannot explain what it is like to see your mother go through that.  I can't even imagine what it must have been like for my mom or for my stepdad, John.  Thankfully, with the love and support from so many friends and family my mom won her battle and has been cancer free for 6 years.  (I should also mention that John has cancer a few years before my mom stole his thunder.  He also kicked its butt and has been cancer free for even longer!)

It's funny that my mom and I have only really talked about the whole experience once since it happened.  I'm not sure I'm even ready to talk much with her about it because it is remarkably raw when talking with her and looking right at her.  It has really changed the way I approach many of life's experiences and it has definitely strengthened my relationship with my mom and with John.  The love, devotion, and care that John showed my mom during her battle and since is overwhelming.  I'm so proud that we are family, thankful that my brothers have such a wonderful father, and appreciative that my mother found the perfect husband.  I also discovered that my mother and I are insanely similar.  It's kind of scary.  Also, I shaved my head when she lost her hair and found out why John does it- so low maintenance.  I am honored to walk in celebration of my mother.

In addition to my mommy, I am also running for a friend's father.  My very close friend from UT, Jasmine, lost her mother to cancer shortly after we graduated.  She was extremely supportive when my mother was sick and I was so grateful.  I felt so helpless when her mother died.  She has been so brave.  Two years after her mother's death, her father was diagnosed with breast cancer.  It is somewhat rare to hear that a man is the victim of breast cancer which can make it even more difficult to deal with.  I can't imagine what their family must have gone through.  They are all so strong and so brave.  He has just finished all his treatment and is cancer free.  I am honored to be able to walk for him as well.

Thanks!

I want to thank everyone for their support in the past and I can't wait to be amazed again at the support from all my loving friends and family.  I look forward to the challenge ahead!

http://www.the3day.org/goto/Caelie