As the daughter of a 13-year breast cancer survivor, cancer has hit very close to home for Molly Fast. She has dedicated herself to the cause, both as a 3-Day participant and as Associate Director of the 3-Day’s National Sales and Service team, where she and her team are committed to providing 3-Day participants with above and beyond customer service.
I asked Molly what keeps her walking, even when her body tells her to quit:
All long-distance walkers know what it feels like when they “hit a wall”. During my very first 3-Day, I was silently praying for a sweep van to come and whisk me away. It was after lunch. I was heading up a hill. The six blisters I had – three on each foot – were putting a huge damper on my spirits. Each step was agonizing. I looked at my sister, hoping for a little sympathy for my ‘walking wounded’ heroics. As tears streamed down her face, I followed her pointed finger and saw a young woman walking. My eyes landed on her t-shirt, which said ‘I’ll see you in heaven, Mom,’ along with the beautiful photo of a woman our mother’s exact age. Suddenly my blisters didn’t hurt. My feet weren’t tired. All the aches faded away. And in its place was a fire inside of me to fight.”
Sometimes hearing others’ stories on the 3-Day can help ease the pain. “Other people’s mothers have lost the fight, and mine is still alive. I realized I had so much to be grateful for. I have too many people to walk for, and this fight is just as important now as it was when my mom was diagnosed in 1999.”
“My mom is my motivation for being involved in the 3-Day. She is a 14-year breast cancer survivor- Go Mom! I joined the 3-Day community because of her diagnosis. It was the inspiration and motivation I needed to find a way to contribute to the fight against breast cancer. I can honestly say that it changed my life!”
What keeps you walking when your body doesn’t want to anymore? Let us know in the comments below.