A successful Michigan 3-Day crowd of walkers celebrates with Dr. Sheri at the Closing Ceremony at Ford Motor Corporate Headquarters
Some of the highlights of the Susan G. Komen Michigan 3-Day must include great weather, exciting community support and a great group of veteran and first-time walkers. The weather wasn’t too bad, either, with sunny skies and temperatures in the 70’s and 80’s during the day. The Opening Ceremony was a combination of some excellent Zumba, a beautiful sunrise behind Dr. Sheri’s welcome, and a wonderful group of flag bearers and breast cancer survivors.
No one can deny the strong community support for the cause. Private cheering stations dotted the route each day, with a special welcome in the town of Plymouth on Saturday. Not only is the square packed with people cheering on the walkers, but the community continues to dye the town fountain a very appropriate color of pink! From firefighters on Saturday to hundreds of local cheerleading squads on Sunday, the community came out with their full support of the fight to end breast cancer.
Michigan 3-Day friends stop in the shade of Pit Stop 2 on Sunday morning
The Milestone Award was given to Barry Blauer at the Camp Show on Friday evening. Barry continues to be a driving force in the campaign to end breast cancer and has shown it with a commitment of over ten years and individual fundraising efforts that top $141,000! We can’t thank Barry enough for his commitment to the 3-Day family and for his large part in helping Komen fund its mission to end breast cancer.
Barry Blauer receives the Milestone Award at the 2013 Michigan 3-Day
As a photographer and writer along with the 3-Day® this year, I was once again moved by the sheer number of extraordinary stories among the participants from personal tragedy-turned-miracle to those who had just lost a mother to cancer. Each person had a profoundly touching story. A boyfriend pushed a participant 60 miles, after she had obtained her funding, but then tragically had broken her foot, which was in a cast. Without the need for notoriety, he silently moved over the course as attention was often diverted to his girlfriend’s cast. I noticed him stand silently beside, attentive but clearly not interested in the limelight. I saw them multiple times each day, with his limp worsening slowly in one knee. He wore sunglasses and a hat. He rarely spoke. I still do not know his name.
Somehow I felt he was the story of every walker who might never be “known” or tell their story to a large audience. Perhaps I didn’t ask his name because I wanted him to remain the universal walker, one who endured all without recognition. I think that’s who he is.
As the Closing Ceremony commenced, the participants gave tribute to breast cancer survivors without the need for a cue. On one knee and with a shoe held high, the Survivors’ Circle gathered in the middle of the Ceremony and later raised the flag, symbolizing the commitment to find a cure for breast cancer. What an event and what a success. Those who raised money including both the walkers and the crew of the 2013 Michigan 3-Day gathered a staggering $2.6 million. Thank you to all those who made this event in Michigan another wonderful success! See you next year!
MORE PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE 2013 MICHIGAN 3-DAY
That was my boyfriend who pushed me 60 miles last weekend. I was registered to walk last year, but my oncologist wouldn’t release me. I was still recovering from chemo and radiation. I was so excited to walk this year as a survivor. I couldn’t wait for the event to start. Unfortunately I broke my foot two weeks before the event. The3Day coaches suggested that I could participate if someone pushed me in a wheelchair. He agreed even though I kept telling him that it was a very challenging event. I am overwhelmed at his strength and love. He hadn’t planned on walking and did absolutely zero training. He was so protective over me, not wanting to let others push me on the route. When I saw that his knee was hurting he never complained. I felt sad that I couldn’t help him the way he was helping me. I called him my hero and his reply was, “You and all the survivors are the hero’s. I would do it all over again.” That is what I call LOVE. I love him dearly, and NO, LADIES HE IS MINE. I’M NOT LETTING HIM GO!!!!!
It was a week after my 10th birthday, that we got the call to say my mother ended her fight with breast cancer. I can still remember the feeling of pure anguish, sadness and emptiness with her passing. I recall telling my father that I wanted to go to school that day and pretend that my life would not be forever changed, but it was and that sadness still resides within me. I do not remember a lot about my mother, but I am told that I act, look, sound and laugh exactly like her. Which is a blessing and a curse! When I heard the Michigan 3 Day walk was being held on my mothers birthday (August 17th) and this year is the 25th anniversary of her passing I was determined to participate in the walk in loving memory of my mother, Bettye Janis Holmes. During the opening ceremony I fought back the tears, looking out into the sea of pink, seeing so many affected by this horrid disease. However, I must say…this year was the 1st year I did not cry on my mother’s birthday. This year I was overwhelmed by the joy, hope and a sense of accomplishment by walking in the 3 Day. This year I smiled and held on to my loving boyfriend’s hand as we walked with a purpose! I recognized that the temporary pain we felt was insignificant next to the struggles of those fighting for their lives! I met such wonderful and dynamic people along the way and I continue to smile today as I look back on our phenomenal journey! I thank all of you for helping me to celebrate my mother’s birthday and I thank you for the beautiful memories and the smile I continue to have because of my walking experience! Live, Laugh and Love! -Jennifer (the 2nd tallest girl at the walk, LOL)
Michigan walker, Jennifer, shared her special story as well….
It was a week after my 10th birthday, that we got the call to say my mother ended her fight with breast cancer. I can still remember the feeling of pure anguish, sadness and emptiness with her passing. I recall telling my father that I wanted to go to school that day and pretend that my life would not be forever changed, but it was and that sadness still resides within me. I do not remember a lot about my mother, but I am told that I act, look, sound and laugh exactly like her. Which is a blessing and a curse! When I heard the Michigan 3 Day walk was being held on my mothers birthday (August 17th) and this year is the 25th anniversary of her passing I was determined to participate in the walk in loving memory of my mother, Bettye Janis Holmes. During the opening ceremony I fought back the tears, looking out into the sea of pink, seeing so many affected by this horrid disease. However, I must say…this year was the 1st year I did not cry on my mother’s birthday. This year I was overwhelmed by the joy, hope and a sense of accomplishment by walking in the 3 Day. This year I smiled and held on to my loving boyfriend’s hand as we walked with a purpose! I recognized that the temporary pain we felt was insignificant next to the struggles of those fighting for their lives! I met such wonderful and dynamic people along the way and I continue to smile today as I look back on our phenomenal journey! I thank all of you for helping me to celebrate my mother’s birthday and I thank you for the beautiful memories and the smile I continue to have because of my walking experience! Live, Laugh and Love! -Jennifer