When I signed up for this journey, I kept seeing/hearing the word "hero" tossed around. I certainly was not comfortable with that name thrown in my direction, and wasn't sure exactly what heroes were supposed to be…but today, I can honestly say, I have discover
ed who they are, what they do, and what they look like... 
They are men and women, dedicated to a cause. Every color and nationality. Short ones, tall ones, healthy ones and sick ones, skinny ones and round ones, old and young and everything in between. People like you and me, who took a stand, to make a difference.
They are children who proudly wear T-shirts that boasts of their mother's commitment. They are spouses and partners who take up the slack at home and understand the time and energy that it takes for walkers to make it to and through the events. They are friends and co-workers who tirelessly help with fundraising.
They are strangers who donate and share their stories, encouragement and advice. They are men who wear pink ties and ribbons when they probably would rather not. The officer or EMT who returns time after time to help those in training who have pushed too hard. They are survivors who join the walk, so others don't have to go through what they have. They are the walker right beside you, and the crew member handing you supplies.
When I signed up for this journey, I didn't know what a hero was, or that I was about to meet thousands of them. The date of my first Breast Cancer 3-Day
has come and gone. I was both nervous and excited, but I was never afraid because I was surrounded by heroes!!
The Dallas/Ft. Worth Breast Cancer 3-Day took place October 27-29, 2006.
It all began with emotional Opening Ceremonies at Texas Stadium in Irving. The first day of the 3-Day journey all walkers through Irving, Grand Prairie and Arlington. The windy weather did not dampen our spirits! Local media followed walkers throughout Day One including a TV helicopter flying overhead. At the end of the day, walkers arrived at River Legacy Park, our home away from home, glad to see that the fabulous Gear & Tent team had delivered each participant's luggage to their tents. The park, with its lush surroundings, provided a spectacular location for camp. Despite sore muscles and blisters, all participants provided the nightly entertainment by singing karaoke.
Day Two's route took the walkers on a tour of Arlington, passing by Ameriquest Field and the University of Texas at Arlington. Doug Russel Park provided a shady site for walkers to eat lunch and rest our feet. After returning to River Legacy Park for the day, we enjoyed foot massages, yoga, reading mail from family and friends and the nightly entertainment provided by Le Freak.
The event would not have been possible without the crew. In addition to endless hours of hard work they cheered on the walkers. The pit stops, grab and go's, lunch stop and camp were festively decorated including the Komen Korral and cow-themed campsite. One special crew member, Mike "Pink Shoes" Wingo, who made my experience so worth while, taking care of me every step of the way, Mike thank you for who you are and now for what you have become in my life. The local community also came out in full force to cheer on the walkers. They passed out candy, stickers, flags, wands and lots of hugs. The route was lined with pink balloons, pink ribbons and signs. The fireman from the fire stations along the route came out to cheer on the walkers.
On Day Three, Boy Scout tent angels showed up to help the walkers and crew pack up their gear and sleeping tents. After a short bus ride, walkers started the final day of their journey walking on the Trinity River Trail. The route included scenic Sundance Square, the Cultural District and beautiful homes along River Crest Country Club. The 60-mile journey came to a close as it wound through historic Fort Worth. After a cattle drive with long-horned steer, cowboys on horseback led the walkers into Closing Ceremonies, an emotional celebration of three days of making a difference in the fight against breast cancer. I was able to cross the finish line, thanks to Mike "Pink Shoes" again, finding me from the crowd jumping out only to embrace me and tell me how proud he was of my efforts and holding my hand my last few steps as he yelled out to all on-lookers that "I MADE IT!!"
What an amazing experience, one that will live in my heart for the rest of my life! I meet Susan, a crew member, a mother, and a survivor. Her surgery was recent, her scars fresh, her spirit like no other!! Susan always had a hug for me, a smile to share and encouraging words to give. Susan is one of the strongest woman I have ever come across. My third day, I walked for Susan, when I thought I could not step one more step, I did again and again. Susan, thank you for who you are and all you did for all of us at camp. "Susan, now that's beautiful!"
On day three I meet Jan, a one year survivor who is determined to walk every walk this year. All 12, 3 Day walks!! What a testimony to me. Jan and I were able to sit down at a lunch stop and talk about the power of pink, among other issues in our lives. She hugged me so tight tears followed. We exchanged photos ops and stories, thank you Jan for yours! I met a group of girls who had no connection to breast cancer and thus they walked. I met a man, who lost his wife to breast cancer and was walking in her honor, who cried as he told me how much he missed her. I met several woman, who were survivors, several woman who were strong and who shared there stories and there spirit with me., now that's beautiful!!
This experience made me realize that the little I did, was worth so much to so many. Thank you all for supporting my cause. I would not have made it to that starting point without you, and I would not have crossed that finishing line without Mike pulling me through the final steps, or the thought of Susan pushing me the entire third day.
Next year, I will be stronger!! Next year, I will cover more ground!! Next year I will be overcome with the power of pink!! Thank you all again so much for believing in me, for your support and prayers through the entire event! Thank you all so much!
ed who they are, what they do, and what they look like... 
They are men and women, dedicated to a cause. Every color and nationality. Short ones, tall ones, healthy ones and sick ones, skinny ones and round ones, old and young and everything in between. People like you and me, who took a stand, to make a difference.
They are children who proudly wear T-shirts that boasts of their mother's commitment. They are spouses and partners who take up the slack at home and understand the time and energy that it takes for walkers to make it to and through the events. They are friends and co-workers who tirelessly help with fundraising.
They are strangers who donate and share their stories, encouragement and advice. They are men who wear pink ties and ribbons when they probably would rather not. The officer or EMT who returns time after time to help those in training who have pushed too hard. They are survivors who join the walk, so others don't have to go through what they have. They are the walker right beside you, and the crew member handing you supplies.
When I signed up for this journey, I didn't know what a hero was, or that I was about to meet thousands of them. The date of my first Breast Cancer 3-Day
has come and gone. I was both nervous and excited, but I was never afraid because I was surrounded by heroes!!
The Dallas/Ft. Worth Breast Cancer 3-Day took place October 27-29, 2006.
It all began with emotional Opening Ceremonies at Texas Stadium in Irving. The first day of the 3-Day journey all walkers through Irving, Grand Prairie and Arlington. The windy weather did not dampen our spirits! Local media followed walkers throughout Day One including a TV helicopter flying overhead. At the end of the day, walkers arrived at River Legacy Park, our home away from home, glad to see that the fabulous Gear & Tent team had delivered each participant's luggage to their tents. The park, with its lush surroundings, provided a spectacular location for camp. Despite sore muscles and blisters, all participants provided the nightly entertainment by singing karaoke.
Day Two's route took the walkers on a tour of Arlington, passing by Ameriquest Field and the University of Texas at Arlington. Doug Russel Park provided a shady site for walkers to eat lunch and rest our feet. After returning to River Legacy Park for the day, we enjoyed foot massages, yoga, reading mail from family and friends and the nightly entertainment provided by Le Freak.
The event would not have been possible without the crew. In addition to endless hours of hard work they cheered on the walkers. The pit stops, grab and go's, lunch stop and camp were festively decorated including the Komen Korral and cow-themed campsite. One special crew member, Mike "Pink Shoes" Wingo, who made my experience so worth while, taking care of me every step of the way, Mike thank you for who you are and now for what you have become in my life. The local community also came out in full force to cheer on the walkers. They passed out candy, stickers, flags, wands and lots of hugs. The route was lined with pink balloons, pink ribbons and signs. The fireman from the fire stations along the route came out to cheer on the walkers.
On Day Three, Boy Scout tent angels showed up to help the walkers and crew pack up their gear and sleeping tents. After a short bus ride, walkers started the final day of their journey walking on the Trinity River Trail. The route included scenic Sundance Square, the Cultural District and beautiful homes along River Crest Country Club. The 60-mile journey came to a close as it wound through historic Fort Worth. After a cattle drive with long-horned steer, cowboys on horseback led the walkers into Closing Ceremonies, an emotional celebration of three days of making a difference in the fight against breast cancer. I was able to cross the finish line, thanks to Mike "Pink Shoes" again, finding me from the crowd jumping out only to embrace me and tell me how proud he was of my efforts and holding my hand my last few steps as he yelled out to all on-lookers that "I MADE IT!!"
What an amazing experience, one that will live in my heart for the rest of my life! I meet Susan, a crew member, a mother, and a survivor. Her surgery was recent, her scars fresh, her spirit like no other!! Susan always had a hug for me, a smile to share and encouraging words to give. Susan is one of the strongest woman I have ever come across. My third day, I walked for Susan, when I thought I could not step one more step, I did again and again. Susan, thank you for who you are and all you did for all of us at camp. "Susan, now that's beautiful!"
On day three I meet Jan, a one year survivor who is determined to walk every walk this year. All 12, 3 Day walks!! What a testimony to me. Jan and I were able to sit down at a lunch stop and talk about the power of pink, among other issues in our lives. She hugged me so tight tears followed. We exchanged photos ops and stories, thank you Jan for yours! I met a group of girls who had no connection to breast cancer and thus they walked. I met a man, who lost his wife to breast cancer and was walking in her honor, who cried as he told me how much he missed her. I met several woman, who were survivors, several woman who were strong and who shared there stories and there spirit with me., now that's beautiful!!
This experience made me realize that the little I did, was worth so much to so many. Thank you all for supporting my cause. I would not have made it to that starting point without you, and I would not have crossed that finishing line without Mike pulling me through the final steps, or the thought of Susan pushing me the entire third day.
Next year, I will be stronger!! Next year, I will cover more ground!! Next year I will be overcome with the power of pink!! Thank you all again so much for believing in me, for your support and prayers through the entire event! Thank you all so much!
