We walk to remember, we honor them . . .

This poem was posted on someone's breast cancer page and I really loved reading it. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have, pass it on! -Ana

There's an empty seat at the dinner table where a mother use to sit.

She's 34 years old, full of life and dreams and two small kids.

There's a young man with a tear in this eye and pink ribbon on his coat, in memory of the only love he'd ever known.

There's a lady looking in the mirror without a single strand of hair, she barely recognizes the woman standing there.

She's waging a silent war against an enemy inside and putting up the fight of her life.

That's why we walk.

We honor them all and that's why we walk.

She lays in a cold small room in a baby-blue paper gown, anticipating what the x-rays might have found.

Then she hears the words that always stop you on a dime and pray that they found it in time.That's why we walk.

We honor them all and that's why we walk.

For life for love, for one another, for him, for her, there's strength in numbers.

We walk to remember, we walk to celebrate, that's why we walk, leaning on each other, and holding on to faith, for those who are gone and those who live on.

We honor them all and that's why we walk.

Win a Pink iPod!!!!

I ran across this website/blog the other day!! Wow what amazing words, ideas, promotions, comments! I was so immpressed with this site, and more than anything I too wanted to do something like this. All those walking know just how hard it is to fundraise, we all know first hand that after a while asking the same people year after year for money, get's old and you always have to come up with new ways and ideas to fundraise. Well.....on this site, not only will you find many great things, but there giving away a PINK NANO....yep, a pink iPod Nano....now, I'm determined to win this, and I feel like I'm going to, only because I want it more than you do! But really, this is an amzing cause, I ask you all to head on over, read these words, post a comment and donate to a great cause! Donate to this team donate to mind, but donate, it's an amazing cause! http://our3day.com/ is the link!! Head on over, donate and you might win the June give-a-way!! Which I already did, but go on!! Check it out! -Ana"I choose “Life” as the category for this blog, because that’s really what it’s about. Not necessarily MY life, but others’ lives. There are a couple of things going on here. First, let me tell you about my Mom’s friend Donna at work. A couple of weeks ago, Donna’s husband started complaining about being tired and not feeling well. They assumed it was nothing and figured it would go away. Eventually, he started feeling worse, and having other more severe symptoms. They went to the ER, and after quite a few tests, it was determined that he has cancer…of the liver, the pancreas, it had even spread to his intestines. All of this from feeling tired and “not well”. It’s too far gone to treat, and he’s been given just a couple of months. Donna had told my Mom about her disbelief of the situation. Just a week or two ago, they had been sitting on the back porch planning the landscaping for their yard, and now he’s going to be gone in less than two months. The cancer is too advanced to treat. They won’t even try chemotherapy. Now, I am not telling you this to depress you. I’m telling you this because it woke me up a little. Despite the things that I have heard, seen, and read in the past couple of months since signing up for the Breast Cancer 3 Day, it never occured to me how quickly cancer can steal a life. I’ve heard of the treatments that these women endure and how hard it is on their bodies, but I had never considered those treatments not even being an option. What do you do when all you have is a little time, and then it’s done? How does a mom with small children explain to them that she might not see the end of their school year, their next birthday, or Christmas? Now I feel like I TRULY understand the need for early detection. What could the difference have been if this had been discovered two months ago?
Yesterday was the official kickoff for training walks for the 3 day in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. Laurie and I went down to University Park, which is a beautiful old neighborhood near SMU. We joined about 150 other women who were there to kick off their training with a 4 mile walk. It was incredible to see the people that turned out. There were young women, middle age women, older women, husbands, brothers, survivors, supporters… We started our walk through the neighborhood at the New Balance store (they’re an official outfitter/sponsor for the walk) and wound through the gorgeous neighborhood. The sidewalks were well shaded by the old trees, and the houses were absolutely incredible. Along the way, neighbors and kids came out to wave to us and clap for us. Some even thanked us. The sidewalks had been decorated with encouraging phrases (like, “YOU ROCK!”), arrows, and pink ribbons. There was a “cheer station” where supporters were waiting to greet us with candy, give us stickers and cheer us on. There were cars that honked and waved as they drove by. At the finish line, we were greeted with even more cheering and high fives! I knew all along that this was a good cause, and that this was a wonderful thing to do. I guess I just hadn’t really felt it as much as I did yesterday. Being around all those other women, many of which have beat the disease, really drove this home for me. I can’t wait for the big event now. I can’t wait to meet more incredible people with amazing stories.
My feet are sore, and my legs a little achy today, but that’s nothing compaired to what some of the other women there have been through. I’m just grateful to be healty enough to be able to make this journey. Next year, there may be more survivors walking, because of what we are doing this year. THAT makes sixty miles soooooo worth while, despite the horror stories of blisters and swollen feet we’ve heard. I’ll take some blisters for the team! We really are going to make a difference, one that we will remember for rest of our lives.


Hundreds of women rallied prior to the DFW kickoff at New Balance.

This survivor tells her emotional story to the crowd.
This is why we walk!
We walked behind this team that wore angel costumes.
Families stood outside their homes to cheer and wave– one of the most emotional and touching parts of the day. Simply amazing.
Signs of encouragement were all along the route.
Stickers and candy were handed out at “cheer stations” along the path.
Cheers, high-fives and congratulations were waiting at the finish!

I cannot wait to share all of our milestones. This weekend starts the official 24 weeks of training leading up to the 3-Day in November. We have so many wonderful ideas and cannot wait to share them all with you. We appeciate all of your support!"

My 2008 3 Day Journey, begins . . .

My 2008 3 Day Journey

The Minimum...To walk in this event, each participant must raise $2200. There are a lot of people who think that this is wrong and that you should be able to walk no matter how much you raise. Here are my thoughts on that based on my experience. I have fund raised for many things since I was in grade school. Most of the time, you are trying to get to a certain level of sales to obtain a "prize". Most people, myself included, don't raise beyond that minimum because they reached the goal of what they wanted. In some cases, there is no "prize" for your fundraising efforts and in these cases most people, myself included, tend to ask for donation from a few people then stop after they have raised a little bit of money.What I have found since doing this event last year, is that I spend a lot of time trying to come up with creative ways of raising money for this cause. "Having" to raise such a large amount of money has caused me to be more bold in asking for money and also caused me to think outside the box and come up with fun ideas that bring in the cash!It is a fun way to be creative and in the end the "prize" for my fundraising effort is that my kids may not have to grow up without me or that anyone else should have to lose a loved one to this disease.So instead of thinking "why, why, why do I have to raise so much money?" Shift your thinking to "Why not"! The life you save may very well be your own!Ask, ask, ask and you will receive!

2 Feet+3 Days+60 Miles = An Amazing Journey of Inspiration!

I am raising money to walk in the 3 Day Breast Cancer Walk this November in DFW, Texas. I hope to raise in excess of $2200 for the walk. All proceeds benefit The 3 Day Breast Cancer Walk.
To learn more about my walk visit:

http://08.the3day.org/goto/anamoss

The event is filled with walkers, friends, family, and co-workers who have made a commitment to walk 60 miles over 3 days to help find a cure for breast cancer. I will be training very hard between now and November to prepare for this amazing journey. I will also be working very hard to fundraise at minimum $2200.

I need the support of our friends, family and community to help me achieve my goals and to make a bold statement in the fight against this deadly disease.

Adopt a “Pink Ribbon Duck” and donate to this amazing cause!

Blogging Breast Cancer

Wednesday, April 2nd, 2008

I just received a copy of MAMM magazine in the mail—the March/April 2008 issue—and I wish I could lead you to the online version of this publication but the issue is not yet available on MAMM.com. Bummer. Because if it were there, you could read this article titled “Blogging Breast Cancer.” The article starts: Thousands of women are sharing their cancer stories and baring their souls to the world—without ever leaving their computers. Why are online diaries so popular? It goes on to spotlight a handful of breast cancer survivors who author their own blogs. Great info and good reads! Also check out these sites!! - Ana

http://www.fighting-breast-cancer.com/

http://www.jaynesbreastcancerblog.com/

http://www.2hands.blogspot.com/

http://www.the-cancer-grrrl.blogspot.com/

http://www.krankipantzen.blogspot.com/

www.blog.healthtalk.com/breast-cancer/life-with-breast-cancer

2007 Day by Day

Day O N E:
Pink Camo Bergaide

The 2007 Dallas/Ft. Worth 3-Day kicked off at Southfork Ranch in Parker, TX. After a beautiful (and chilly) Opening Ceremony, we warmed up to the “Dallas” theme song as we hit the road and began our 3-Day journey. This year I was determined to double the ground I covered last year. Day One gave us a great route with lots of fans & pink balloons scattered along the way, showing the community’s support of the walkers' efforts. Downtown Plano was especially supportive and the fans included a pink gorilla! Camp was a welcome sight at the end of the day, and a sigh of relief that day one had finally come to an end. We put up our tents (or if we were lucky, someone put them up for us. I was one of the lucky ones!), They ask that you eat dinner, before taking a shower and getting settled for the night, but I seem to always want a shower more than food at the end of the day. During the show in the main tent that evening, we paid tribute to Sheri Lewis as we listened to her dad speak. Sheri lost her battle this year just a few weeks before the 07’ walk, she was among the 06’ walkers, Sheri, your memory lives on! With lights out at 9:00 pm, we took to our tents in preparation to tackle Day Two.

D A Y T W O:

Day Two got off to a great start and everyone was eager to get moving. Our journey took us across a suspension bridge and through some lovely neighborhoods. Supporters greeted us along the way with two of our favorite things: water and candy! The cheering stations were amazing and the fans, friends and family members along the streets, made those steps that much easier! The lunch site was beautiful – providing a nice break to the long day on the road. After a great dinner back at camp, we were treated to the final 3-Day Rock Star performance by “Crazy Dude” who got the crowd ready to dance the night away. I got to meet some amazing people and touch base with some really special friends from last year’s event.

Meet George, that’s a photo of us above. By the end of the year, a 75 year old man that by the end of the year, he will have walked every single step of all 12 walks this year, though out the US. A speech President George W. Bush inspired him to try and make a difference, so George is doing so, and he’s doing so making sure all women know how important it is for woman to get mammograms. In fact that’s his opening line when he meets you “have you had a mammogram?” It was an honor to walk a few steps along side you George, thank you!
I was so thankful to

I got to wrap my arms around Susan again this year, if you recall I wrote about Susan in my last 3Day Newsletter! She’s doing well, I almost didn’t recognize her, and she’s got a full head of blond hair on the once bald head of hers! She looks amazing!! She was always there with a smile and a tight hug and encouraging words to keep me going, I do love you Susan, thank you so much for all you do!! I am honored to call you a friend.

D A Y T H R E E:

Day Three brought warmer temperatures and beautiful scenery. From the gorgeous walk through the park to the picturesque journey around lake Dallas to lunch, I had so many new things to look at, Dallas is such a beautiful city. Along the way, I came across some old faces for last year, I don’t really know his name, but around camp he’s know as the “Mini Hug-Guy” cause he drives his Mini Cooper around covered in PINK balloons and ribbons, and cheers us on. He was there, with his wife!! Which is a big “woohoo”, his wife was ill last year with cancer and she was un-able to cheer us on. It was great to be able to see them both this year.

As we arrived at Holding, where we were greeted by the cheers of crew members and fellow walkers, family members, saluting us for a job well done. Then came a beautiful and emotional Closing Ceremonies, where we celebrated the culmination of the 3-Day journey and our steps toward a future without breast cancer. With tears in our eyes, and fight in our steps we all vowed to be back next year to do this all over again!

Thanks Mike – Pink Shoes for all you do!!

A look back at the 3Day 2006

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 discovered 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!