Since this is my first blog, I'm going to write about something that is very near and dear to me...finding the cause and the cure for cancer...Yeah I know, something that's been going on what seems like forever in this country. But something kind of opened my eyes this past weekend here in Chicago - watching 1600 women and men walk, sweat and endure heat and humidity that was beyond belief to find just that...a cure. My niece Samantha was one of those that walked. This was her first walk and what a walk she picked! 3 days 60 miles - all because she wanted to honor me and what I endured 5 years ago. Now, I know a lot of people out there are familiar with the Komen walk for the cure, but do you really know what these people do to get to the point to walk? They train, they hold fund raisers, and train some more. Some put their body through hell! I have never seen so many taped up knees, ankles and calves...but something I also noticed...no one complained! Not one. They limped and hobbled with blisters and muscle strains, but still kept on going because they were determined to finish all 60 miles and to reach that final goal, to be able to say with pride "I did it, I finished it" just a like a person who finished their last chemo or radiation treatment.
I went to a cheering station on the second day of the walk, The Pair Tree in Arlington Heights. As I stood there and cheered, chanted and claped for those walkers, (some of which were exhausted beyond belief!) I noticed something, they kept going, and going and going all while smiling. Why? Because they believed that with every step they took, they were making a difference. You know something? They were and they did just that! My admiration and respect for the people that walked including Samantha, couldn't be any more profound than what it was this past weekend. They walked for a mother, an aunt, a sister, or even themself. But one thing is for certain...they all walked to one day find the cause and cure for breast cancer, and with that, I give each and everyone of them - my thanks.
