As some of you may know, last weekend I walked in the Komen 3 Day Breast Cancer walk in Tampa Bay. It was an awesome experience.

Often when walkers return home there is a letdown after such a moving experience. I'm feeling a little of that today as I write a note to my supporters. So I though I'd share the essence of the walk with you. Perhaps you'll consider walking with us sometime in the future. Anyway.....

Can you imagine?

Imagine walking 60 Miles,
Imagine walking 60 miles with 1700 strangers,
Imagine walking 60 miles in 3 days and sleeping on the ground in tents with a 2 am rainstorm as your wake-up call,
Imagine drinking gallons of sports drink and water because as you walk you are sweating more than you can drink,
Imagine so much moleskin on your feet that you can’t see skin anymore,
Imagine just wanting your home, your bed and your shower
Imagine walking 60 miles in 3 days.

Now imagine this:

Imagine a daughter taking this amazing journey with you,
Imagine a Girl Scout Troop, putting up your tent on Day Two.
Imagine a woman just starting her chemo therapy walking by your side,
Imagine another woman who traveled 60 miles in her wheelchair with a sign that read “I don’t need a push, just walk with me”
Imagine meeting a 4 year old child who was waiting with her father to give her mommy (a survivor) a hug and more ice and water.
Imagine getting a foot rub from fellow walkers on day 2, mile 32,
Imagine Tampa Police Officers high-fiving you through intersections,
Imagine truckers honking air horns as they pass,
Imagine hugs from strangers on street corners,
Imagine young children offering you candy as you walk by,
Imagine a thousand new, clean port-a-potties,
Imagine reading the names of hundreds of strangers, victims of breast cancer, on the T-Shirts of those walking ahead of you,
Imagine a wonderful woman, who cheered for us dozens of times on the Pinellas Trail as she drove from spot to spot to offer encouragement.
Imagine finding your sister standing on Bayshore Drive with a sign that read…”Have you seen this walker” “She’s the most awesome sis!”
Imagine 1900 walkers and crew kneeling in the grass as the breast cancer survivors walked into closing ceremony,
Imagine the theme of our walk: Kindness
Imagine raising more than $10,000 with the help of wonderful people like you,
Imagine raising 5 million dollars with the help of 1790 other walkers,
Imagine saying “I can’t wait to do it again next year”
Imagine an end to breast cancer.

This was not imaginary!
And my walk could not happen without YOU.
I cannot thank you enough for all of your support.

You were with me every step of the way!


San Diego will be walking this weekend. If you're in the area...please go out and give them a cheer for me!

What a report Margo!!!! Brought tears to my eyes - you're the best!!! Joanna

Thanks, Margo

That was very inspirational. Congratulations on the completion of the walk.
This weekend we will walk for ALS in Santa Monica, California.
Unfortunately, ALS (also known as, Lou Gehrig Disease)is a disease for which there is no cure and very little hope at the moment. We lost our dear son-in-law last year from this terrible disease which strikes men and women at the prime of their lives.

Margo -

Amazing post. That about says it.

David & Betty -

I am sorry for your loss. Hope you have a great walk.

Margo, you gave me chillbumps; that was SO well done! You are such a great person!

David & Betty, I lost a very dear friend to ALS a couple of years ago, my condolences to you. It's a horrible, horrible disease.

Margo, what a wonderful report. You brought tears to my eyes.

I'd like to mention that breast cancer, while of course primarily a disease of women, can strike men as well. My father died of this illness in 1999, just a few months after he was diagnosed because by the time he noticed it it had metastasized. It just swept him away before our very eyes. Men should do breast self-exams also.

After our NYC to Montreal cruise last year, we did a post cruise in Montreal for 4 days. the last day of our trip we felt honored just by being in Downtown Montreal during the Avon Walk for the Cure. To watch the survivors and others walk - including dogs, babies, husbands and children was so uplifting. It was a carnival atmosphere with real celebration. We could not have had more fun that day.

I lost my mother to cancer 12 years ago. There's been lots of progress in the last 30 years (she was diagnosed when I was 20) but we're not there yet.

Thank you Margo for working towards the goal!

Simply beautiful, Margo! Thanks so much for posting such an inspirational thread.

David and Betty, I am terribly sorry for your loss.

Hopefully, there are cures just ready to be discovered and administered VERY, VERY SOON! We all need to take an active part, in one way or another, in putting as much effort as we can in working towards the cures!

Margo,
What a great post! I can imagine ... what a swell lady you are! Good for you!

David & Betty,
I am so sorry for you loss. Good luck with your walk.

Betty

So proud of you, Margo! We were thinking of you last week-end. The rain must have really made it difficult. You should come to San Diego next year & maybe I'll do it again with you. (my feet are shuddering!) Such an important cause.

David & Betty, we're so sorry to hear of your loss. Take care.
- Michele

Thank you Margo. My sister Marilyn is a breast cancer survivor...she's a most awesome sis too! A toast to you and :hug:

Margo, that really made my day, just beautiful!

Margo - thanks so much for giving us such a clear picture of your experience! I am so very proud of you!!

We're walking for Komen this weekend. My son-in-law is going the distance.

Cheers, Anne

Margo

You made it, girl. But I knew you could. Am so proud of what your group accomplished. Now rest. You deserve it.

Margo,

It's people like you who make it HAPPEN!! Congratulations! :app:

That was beautifully said, Margo. Thank you for sharing it and for your efforts!

Masaki

What an accomplishment, Margo. I'm so proud and happy for you. Beautiful words you shared with us. Save them.

Hi Margo,
Just adding my thanks for your inspirational message. Having lost my son to Leukemia, I appreciate it and long for the day that all cancers can be cured.
Take care and thank you.
Joanne

Margo -
THANK YOU

You are such an inspiration, Margo... and all of you touched by such horrific illness....Your courage and determination is awesome!

Congratulations, Margo, and thanks for your inspirational message. A co-worker of mine is walking in San Diego this weekend. She had an incredible experience last year.

Margo,
Congratulations on a job well done; rest up and look forward to your cruise!

Betty and David, Marsha, Chocoholic,
There are no words for your losses, I can only share your hope for the future.

:nw: :nw: :nw:
You are my inspiration. I want to do it next year.
The losses mentioned are too many. We all need to do our part, in whatever manner that may be.