Tag Archives: 2013

Real Men Wear Pink (Or Nothing At All)

Carl B of the "60-Mile Men" poses in full regalia

Carl B of the “60-Mile Men” poses in full regalia

Dangerous words from a group of rowdy supporters for finding the cure for breast cancer! I originally met Carl B. in Boston, sporting his classy and eye-catching pink “Batman meets Superman meets Captain Hook” outfit. His sash, however, gave him away as one of the elite men who made up the 60-Mile Men. These are no regular walkers, but men committed to modeling themselves for the cause, and walking and crewing for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day®! Each walker or crew member has a photo shoot in either–you guessed it–pink or nothing at all. When I asked Ed this morning at pit stop 1 about the choice between wearing pink or nothing, he just smiled and said, “Well, we give you the choice, but you really can’t wear pink.”

Started by Matthew P. in Michigan in 2008, the group asks that men who would like to be considered for the calendar to submit a portfolio. Tough competition! The 2014 calendar models have already been selected and the calendar has an initial value of $25, but who knows what the real value is? Seven members of the 60-Mile Men joined us here in Cleveland this weekend and received special recognition at last night’s Camp Show. Hats off these to these fine crew members and walkers!

Mr. January and Mr. October of the "60-Mile Men" pose for the cameras at the start of the 2013 Cleveland 3-Day

Mr. January and Mr. October of the “60-Mile Men” pose for the cameras at the start of the 2013 Cleveland 3-Day

Susan G. Komen walkers gear up and take on Day 2 for breast cancer awareness.

The “60-Mile Men” in sashes at the Cleveland 3-Day campsite

Susan G. Komen walkers gear up and take on Day 2 for breast cancer awareness.

The Cleveland 3-Day crowd goes wild when the “60-Mile Men” are recognized for their efforts in finding a cure for breast cancer

“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

“The General” Marches On

Gwen M. (aka "The General") smiles on Day 1 of the Boston 3-Day in 2013

Gwen M. (aka “The General”) smiles on Day 1 of the Boston 3-Day in 2013.

When the women said, “This is The General,” I had to ask. “Gwen here works as an access nurse at Mass General for newly diagnosed breast cancer patients” her friends responded. Gwen M, from Boston, has been working in a key position at The Gillette Center for Breast Cancer,  caring for women at a time when there are unanswered questions and an unknown future.

Gwen is surrounded by a solid group of wild women on the Susan G. Komen Boston 3-Day and by chance I was photographing in Cambridge on Day 3 at a cheering station when Gwen waltzed in. She immediately pulled Nancy P. (an original member of their team “Wild Women Originals” and cancer survivor) out of her wheelchair and waltzed with her!

Gwen M. (aka “The General”) dances with close friend, cancer survivor, and original member of “Wild Women Originals” Nancy P. on the Boston 3-Day 2013.

Thank you Gwen for your inspiration, warm smile and dedication!