“What Can I Do To Help?”

George N. of Clawson, MI starts his 30th Susan G. Komen 3-Day® in Cleveland, OH

George N. of Clawson, MI starts his 30th Susan G. Komen 3-Day® in Cleveland, OH

Most walkers, crew, and volunteers have a very close relationship to breast cancer. Not George N. from Clawson, MI.  He had just retired from his construction/electrician work in 2001, and he remembered the President’s speech. George stood at Dock 32 this morning at the age of 81 and paraphrased: “Do some good in your neighborhood . . . help a shut-in . . . walk across the street to a neighbor in need and say ‘what can I do to help you?'”  George then saw an ad in the newspaper that talked about the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® and decided this was his way he could help.

After 29 successful walks, he stood front and center this morning as a gorgeous sunrise illuminated the heartland of America: Cleveland, Ohio.  The zumba instructor pumped the crowd and George was right in step.  “This is a very hard thing,” declared George, “but it is worth it!”  He remarked on the many friendships that he has enjoyed in retirement through the Komen 3-Day and specifically wanted people to “take the time to talk to people.  If you’re racing, then you’re missing the whole point.”

George N. cruises in Pit Stop 1 on the Cleveland 3-Day

George N. cruises in Pit Stop 1 on the Cleveland 3-Day

Before turning away toward the music, he flashed a smile: “Oh. One more thing.  Train hard!”

Best of luck on your 30th 3-Day, George!

“I Never Felt Alone”

Becky G. smiles despite a physical setback on the Boston 3-Day.

Becky G. smiles despite a physical setback on the Boston 3-Day

Somewhere on the latter half of a draining and hot Day 2 on the Boston 3-Day, I wandered into Pit Stop 4. There was Becky, frustrated by an aching knee.  Not an uncommon problem after so many miles, but like all those who attempt the grueling 60 miles of the Susan G. Komen 3-Day®, there were layers of stories in her walk that never first appeared on the surface. It was only later that her reflection on the experience stopped me:

“I lost my mom to breast cancer 12 years ago.  Everyone who knew her knew how she could light up a room when she walked in. Everyone always commented on her smiling eyes, and I am lucky to have had those eyes smile upon me.”

Walker Becky G. is embraced by her daughter after walking 60 miles on the Komen 3-Day®

Walker Becky G. is embraced by her daughter after walking 60 miles on the Komen 3-Day

“And so I have chosen to follow my heart, to make a choice, to join an amazing team of women, to do something about it, to accept support, to FEEL the pain, and to walk. So here I am now, several days after finishing the Boston 3-Day. I have to be honest, I wasn’t exactly prepared for this, physically or emotionally. I wasn’t ready to hear all of the stories of love lost, to see survivors walking beside me, to have strangers look me in the eye with such love and gratitude for what I was doing and say ‘Thank You’ and to feel so physically defeated that I didn’t think I could take another step. I also never felt alone. I felt the closest I have to Mom in the 12 years that she has been gone, and I know that what I was feeling this weekend was love. Thousands of strangers — walkers, crew, staff, cheerleaders — united for one cause. So we don’t have to endure another life lost, another heartbreak, or another child left behind. We believe in the cause, and we believe in each other, and we believe that this fight is worth all of the pain that we endured. I met some amazing men and women this weekend, and there is no doubt that they will be in my heart forever. This is only the first of many 3-Days.”  – Becky G, Woodstock, CT

Becky's team finishes the 2013 Boston 3-Day

Becky’s team finishes the 2013 Boston 3-Day