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The Toronto Weekend to End Women's Cancers -> Your Weekend to End Women's Cancers Experience -> My Weekend to End Breast Cancer Experience
Post Info TOPIC: My Weekend to End Breast Cancer Experience
Walker1


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My Weekend to End Breast Cancer Experience
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2008 was my sixth walk experience, and each walk has brought a special memory with it. 

There will never be another walk like the first...the anticipation...and facing the unknown.  That is the year I led training walks...just so I would have to get out there and walk...heck, I don't even like walking, unless it's along a dirt path in the woods or along a river.  That is the year I met Wendy...we had both signed up alone...and we have been together at every event (including the 2008 Ride) since.  The first year forms special bonds that will never be broken.

Other special memories:
- the little boy, six or seven or eight years old, sitting on his front steps playing a harmonica as we walked by;
- the woman with the walker who was a part of the event for several of the early years, walking for her daughter;
- the gentleman selling flowers up in the Weston area, I believe.  His business did not look extremely profitable, but he had a table set up out front of it covered with roses, and he gave each of us a rose as we walked by;
- in Vancouver, the blind woman who walked with a gentleman and her seeing eye dog;
- and again in Vancouver, the woman who was obviously undergoing treatment for cancer being driven around the walk route with us in a van;
- Kitty Cohen...no one who walked with her will ever forget her;
- in all the walks, watching the determination of walkers to make it to the end, despite blisters and sprains and aches and pains;
- residents in the neighbourhoods coming out to offer us coffee, water, candy fruit and yes....even beer;
- and always, always, always...watching the survivors walk in at closing ceremonies...especially the year one young survivor walked in with a baby in her arms and a toddler at her side...and knowing that we may have played a part, however small, in their being with us that day.

Those are just a few of my more memorable walk experiences.  

Donna



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8th Walk in 2010; 4th Ride in 2011.
Ashley Costa


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Donna, thank you for sharing your list.

(You got me crying again)

smile

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Ashley Costa   /    ac_144@hotmail.com    / 5th year walker
Landisg


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Ohhhhhhhhhh my ...and now im teary eyed.
I remember the first walk i did in 2005 w/my daughter... and at the end as we stood in the crowd watching the survivors walk in one girl ...whom Im sure was alot younger than shawna...walked by us as we high 5 them ...shawna turned to me ...her eyes filled with tears throwing her arms around my neck saying "OMG mom ... she cant be any older than twenty...." and then she sobbed ...her arms around my neck....
That is just one of the memories I have. and there are soooo many.
In fact I went home after that walk and experience and wrote a poem which is now posted online at Starlite cafe.

Here is the link for anyone who may like to read it.
hugs
Landis(Team Captain of The Boobie Doobie Doos)

http://www.thestarlitecafe.com/poems/92/poem_779001.html
(copy & paste into a browser.)

-- Edited by Landisg at 05:32, 2008-09-21

-- Edited by Landisg at 02:00, 2008-09-22

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Landis S. Gardner
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This year, walking outside the Direct Energy Centre around 330 pm on Sunday to see the sun shining - made the rain of the past few hours seem like a distant memory!

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SSM - 2006, 2007, 2008 Walker & 2009, 2010, 2011 Crew Member for Team Going for Bust and 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012 Rider for Team Sprockets
cmastinsek


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I should never have read this at work!!!  I look silly sobbing here at my desk!!smile

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KristenMcLellan


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Walker1 - you being part of the walk year after year I'm sure had something to do with why I am here today. This is my first year walking, I was only 31 when I was diagnosed in 2004. I now have a two year old and an 8 month old. Both boys. And I don't think my dream would have ever been able to come true without the support of people like you! See you at the walk!

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grannyp


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Kristen; I too have participated since the very first event and I cannot imagine being anywhere else on that weekend. You are in for an incredible treat. I often envy the first-timers because, as wonderful as every walk since has been, there is absolutely nothing that matches that first time.

Good luck and enjoy. And congratulations on your family and your good health.

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kariri


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thank you for sharing your incredible memories.

I too am new to the walk this year, always thought about it but was always scared about raising the money. I rode in the Ride to Conquer last year and loved it smile.gif

The reason for walking this year is close to home. My Mom was diagnosed in January with Breast Cancer Stage 3 and has made the decision not to accept treatment as she is too sick. It hurts but its her decision. I was just diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer 2 weeks ago and am awaiting surgery and treatment. So participating in any form in these two events will be a miracle for me and my family.

Thank you for walking year after year and I look forward to meeting you in September smile.gif

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Walker1


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Kristen and Kariri:

It's the moving words from people like youselves that encourage all of us to keep participating in events like the Walk and the Ride. 

Kristen - I signed up for the Quebec Ride this year and have just received an email from them talking about advancements in research studies in the area of thyroid cancer at the Jewish General in Montreal - partially funded by that Ride.  Due to unforeseen circumstances, I will not be riding in the Quebec Ride, but am pleased that the money I've already raised for that event has helped to make a difference.  I understand that you may not be able to participate in the Toronto Ride, but I will be honoured to include you on my list of people I am riding on behalf of. 

And to both of you...I do hope to see you at the Walk in September. 

Donna



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8th Walk in 2010; 4th Ride in 2011.
kariri


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Thank you Donna smile.gif  I've been told that Thyroid Cancer is the "best" cancer to get as it doesn't spread as fast as the others.  Saying that I don't feel too lucky, Cancer is still a bad word in my books!  It's good to hear that they're making advances with the money we worked hard to raise last year, something to share with our sponsors smile.gif

I should know on Tuesday if I'm going to be involved in the Ride this year, even as a Crew member, apparently they're booking end of May early June for surgeries smile.gif  I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

Kimberly

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