Michigan’s “Patience” Flag

Carol E. smiles backstage before the Susan G. Komen Michigan 3-Day

When someone is told there is a lesion on a mammogram or that a biopsy is positive for cancer, patience is not often the first virtue that rises to the surface. “Yeah, I’m carrying the ‘Patience’ flag, but I don’t know why!” laughed Carol E. from Farmington Hills, Michigan. “My friend didn’t believe me!” Carol is walking for the 5th time this morning since she was diagnosed in 2008 with a Stage 1 breast cancer and went through a lumpectomy, radiation, and chemotherapy. While she couldn’t work for awhile, she was forced to move out of her home, something that would test anyone’s patience.

Instead of saying “Why me?” Carol adopted the philosophy, “I had cancer, but cancer didn’t have me!” She seems an expert in the field of positive thinking. She found a better place to stay at a lower monthly rent and adores her landlord who styled her basement and kitchen to accommodate her serious cooking ability (she has advanced training in the culinary arts!). As a touching side note, her only son who was in the reserves asked her if he could volunteer for active duty in Iraq in order for her to keep her home. “My priorities had changed by then,” she said. “There was no way I was going to put my son in that position. People mean everything.”

Breast cancer survivors at the Michigan 3-Day link hands in solidarity to find a cure

Carol joins breast cancer survivors at the Michigan 3-Day and links hands in solidarity to find a cure

Carol is a flight attendant for US Airways and has been on the Athens flight for some time. I had to remind Carol that true patience is attending to hundreds of in-flight passengers for 13 or more hours, a job most of us could not handle. She just laughed, “It’s true. It does require some patience, and so many of my fellow flight attendants have had breast cancer! Mine was caught on a routine mammogram. Get your mammogram!”

Carol E. strides out of the Opening Ceremony with the “Patience” Flag in hand

If you are on the Susan G. Komen Michigan 3-Day this weekend, say hello to Carol, and I’m sure you will quickly see why she is proudly holding her flag in the Survivors’ Circle. Her spirit of patience, hope, and happiness is hard to miss!

Making Memories with the 3-Day Coaches: Boston, Cleveland, Chicago

Participants on the 2013 3-Day in Boston, Cleveland and Chicago made this year’s 3-Day journey with mixed emotions, knowing the event would not be returning to their city in 2014. Our 3-Day coaches and event staff felt the same mix of joy and melancholy as they walked or supported our last events in these three remarkable cities. They share their love, gratitude and messages for the 3-Day participant community below.

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The Inspiring Chicago 3-Day

The Chicago 3-Day kicks off in Northbrook, Illinois as walkers stride proudly onto the streets

We all watch the weather closely as the 3-Day inches closer, knowing that we will be at the mercy or the delight of the elements. “We’ve never had weather this wonderful!” commented one walker. “Chicago has either been hot or raining or both!” The sun rose on a temperate, crystal-clear Friday morning in Northbrook, Illinois, as the walkers, crew, and friends and family joined in the Opening Ceremony and burst out onto the streets, ready to walk the 21.3-mile course through the Chicago Botanical Gardens, Glencoe, Winnetka, Northfield, Glenview, and Des Plaines. Our gracious hosts at Our Lady of Guadalupe/Maryville Academy allowed the pink tents to pop up for two nights in their spacious fields. What a camp show! Dancers and singers both nights were top quality.

A team of Susan G. Komen Chicago 3-Day walkers gear up for Day 2

A team of Susan G. Komen Chicago 3-Day walkers at Pit Stop 1, with an additional photobomb

Saturday’s 19.3-mile journey through Mt. Prospect, Arlington Heights and Prospect Heights was peppered with some of the most lively and supportive neighborhoods, fire departments, and police departments anywhere. Pink police shirts, Mt. Prospect’s great team of firefighters, Arlington Heights’ pink fire engine, The Pair Tree, local cheerleaders, the pink balloon arch. The list goes on and on, and we couldn’t have been more pleased! We were proudly joined by the Young Women Walking group for the day, and they fit right in, pounding the pavement and making new friends. Like so many in the past, this memorable Saturday on the 3-Day^® will be treasured. Thank you all for your support!

The Young Women Walking joined up with our current walkers for a memorable Day 2 on the Chicago 3-Day

Saturday’s 16.4-mile route led through the Lake Shore Drive area, but it was anything but quiet. Sunday in Lincoln Park was bustling with weekenders, and walkers were cheered on by individuals, a few Pit Stops and even a hot dog festival. The real treat, however, was the scenic entry with views of downtown, the lake, and finally Soldier Field. The pace had slowed by this time, for obvious reasons, and the gaits of many were stiffening after almost 55 miles over three days. It is this point where observers really start to see the rise of determination.

Downtown Chicago looms in the distance as a Komen 3-Day® team walks along the Lake

Downtown Chicago looms in the distance as a 3-Day team walks along the Lake

This is where drive starts to exceed ability and training. The last few miles of the 3-Day are often the silent struggle of participants, often reminding them of their own struggle over breast cancer or the struggle of those loved ones who have been physically pushed in their fights. Inside the stadium, alone, they often talk to me in passing, sometimes not really wanting to be heard, “If Judy could do it” “If my mother could fight it” “I’ve done it before.” Sometimes I take their pictures, and sometimes I do not. But they can hear the cheers in stadium, and they know that the end is nearby, along with their families, the inspirational Closing Ceremony, and their dedication to finding a cure.