Due to the amount of people it took a while to park but the volunteers were doing a great job getting everyone where they needed to be. We got out of the van and I donned my pink bra and tiara and headed to the golf cart that would take us closer to the event. My mom and sister had arrived early to attend the survivor’s breakfast, so after I checked in and banked the last of my donations we headed over to the survivor’s tent where the festivities were just wrapping up. Mom headed toward the bleachers to join the other survivors for a group photo.

Then we had some time to get organized and visit the vendors and support groups that were represented. Over on the main stage a Jazzercize group was leading the crowd in some warm up exercises-which were needed especially due to the chilly un-Florida like weather. Next we headed to the starting area.

What I haven’t told you yet in any of these posts is that my mom is not only a 5 year breast cancer survivor she also suffers from COPD and is on oxygen 24/7. She works out regularly on her treadmill and in the swimming pool and completing this 5k was a HUGE goal for her. My sister on the other hand, is a runner so she was going to carry mom’s portable oxygen machine while we walked.

At the start

The walk started v-e-r-y slowly trying to get the thousands of walkers down the path and onto the streets surrounding the polo grounds. At about 1/2 mile into the walk or should I say crawl still at this point, mom’s oxygen machine started beeping that her battery was low! It said it was on 2 which should have meant at least an hour of oxygen left but it was already beeping. We discussed our options a) send Wendy back to get the backup battery supply b) keep walking til we get to a water station c) ignore it. Mom insisted we ignore it but by the time we made the first big turn the machine was warning us it was about dead. Mom shut off her machine and kept walking. Sending Wendy back was no longer an option because of the fences around the property at the Polo Club there was no short cut to take. Shortly after the one mile marker we found an official and we told him our predicament. He assured us the only answer was for mom to stay with him and wait for a golf cart to pick her up. He promised the cart would drop her off before the finish line so she could finish on her own and with tears in her eyes she said “But I won’t really be finishing” Wendy and I promised to finish the walk for her and we left her with the official.

By now the crowd had thinned out with walkers all moving along at their own pace. We settled into a comfortable cadence and enjoyed the beautiful scenery, the mansions with horses running in the side yards were just breathtaking. I was inspired by the thousands of people walking for a single cause. Men, women, teens and children all wearing pink. Many with signs of who they are walking for. I felt like I was a part of something bigger-a movement to eradicate a disease and put an end to how this disease effects families. It was a great feeling.

At the finish

I got excited as I passed each 1/2 mile marker. I was feeling good, not tired or winded like I sometimes due thanks to my anemia. When we rounded the final corner, I saw a golf cart go by and I saw my mom on it. It was a bittersweet moment because I know how much she wanted to complete the 5k. As we approached the finish line I felt such a sense of accomplishment and pride I can’t really explain it. We met up with mom and she was doing better, there are somethings that we just can’t control and her oxygen machine is one of them

I want to thank all of my online and offline friends who supported my walk with a financial donation Pat Fischer, Jean Simmons, Laurie Brosius, Ginger Davis and Rene Syler. We raised $120 not quite half of my $250 but hey-we did something and we WILL do more next year!

The post Making Strides Against Breast Cancer-Recap appeared first on The Mom Maven.

Anyway, my point here is that at least in America, we are all aware of breast cancer. According to the American Cancer Society:

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women, except for skin cancers. The chance of developing invasive breast cancer at some time in a woman’s life is a little less than 1 in 8 (12%).

The American Cancer Society’s most recent estimates for breast cancer in the United States are for 2011:

About 230,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women.
About 57,650 new cases of carcinoma in situ (CIS) will be diagnosed (CIS is non-invasive and is the earliest form of breast cancer).
About 39,520 women will die from breast cancer.

After increasing for more than 2 decades, female breast cancer incidence rates decreased by about 2% per year from 1999 to 2005. This decrease was seen only in women aged 50 or older, and may be due at least in part to the decline in use of hormone therapy after menopause that occurred after the results of the Women’s Health Initiative were published in 2002. This study linked the use of hormone therapy to an increased risk of breast cancer and heart diseases.

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, exceeded only by lung cancer. The chance that breast cancer will be responsible for a woman’s death is about 1 in 36 (about 3%). Death rates from breast cancer have been declining since about 1990, with larger decreases in women younger than 50. These decreases are believed to be the result of earlier detection through screening and increased awareness, as well as improved treatment.

At this time there are more than 2.6 million breast cancer survivors in the United States. (This includes women still being treated and those who have completed treatment.)

So my question today isn’t “Are you aware of breast cancer?” it’s “What action have you taken this month to either a)maintain your breast health b)support a breast cancer patient or c)support an organization that supports breast cancer patients and/or research?”

This is a call to action. There are 11 days left in National Breast Cancer Awareness month and I challenge you to DO SOMETHING. As you know this Saturday, October 22, 2011 I’ll be walking in the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk. I’m not doing this because I like exercise…I’m doing it in memory of Jill Harris, my husband’s cousin who died at age 38 leaving her husband and 2 young sons behind and for all the survivors in my family Sandra Foster, Sharon Schultz, Lynn Andrew, Paula Lord and my friends who are survivors Janet Carter and Gayle Rainville. I’m sure I have missed some people and I’m sorry, but you can see that breast cancer has touched my life in a significant way and this weekend I’ll be walking to raise money to fund support services for those who have breast cancer.

I set a modest goal of $250.00 and honestly, I’m a bit sad that I have only raised $120.00 so far-not quite half of what I told my mother and sister would be “Easy to raise through social media” my mom has raised the same amount not using social media. We, The Mom Maven family have today and tomorrow to raise the rest of the $130.00. Here is where you can take the action step and DO SOMETHING this month. Click this link to my Making Strides Against Breast Cancer donation center and give what you can $5, $10, $25 or more. If just 13 of my 900+ subscribers gave $10 we would meet the goal and Team Mom Maven would be making a difference in the lives of breast cancer patients. Don’t wait for someone else to do your part, you know what you need to do…just take action.

Next week I’ll be writing a post including a final total of funds raised and pictures of us walking and celebrating life in our decorated pink bras! Thank you for your support!

The post What Action Have You Taken? appeared first on The Mom Maven.

I just wanted to remind you that even though I am on vacation this week I still need your help. I am trying to raise $250 for the American Cancer Society be fore our Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk on October 22nd. If you are able to make a donation…even as small as $10 I would greatly appreciate it. You can make a donation here.

If you didn’t read my post about why I’m walking you can read that here. Thank you for your support!

The post Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Reminder appeared first on The Mom Maven.