C'mon everyone! Let's be more positive! - The Toronto Weekend to End Women's Cancers

maureen · Member

C'mon everyone! Let's be more positive!

elegantlady · Member

I could not have said this any better myself. I am an 8th year walker who has not met my 2.000 goal as yet, but I have not given up as yet eather. If I could not walk I will be very upset. I love walking and meeting all my fellow walkers. So lets all stop complaining. Please.

devmegsmum · Veteran Member

While I agree we need to focus on the big picture - finding a cure, I think it's ok to voice your opinion if you are unhappy with something. This is a professionally run event. We pay to walk as well as raise funds and our feedback - both positive and negative is necessary for the event to grow and continually improve. Having said all that I love this event. I think it is extremely well run and the coaches do their best to support the walkers.

sue g · Member

Maureen: your note says exactly what I have been thinking while reading the messages posted to date. THANK YOU
There are thousands of people involved in this event and there is no way everyone will like everything.
If a lanyard is biggest concern for the weekend, I would say you are in a pretty good place, much better than those who are wondering if they will make it to the event, let alone be able to walk because they are fighting cancer and/or going through treatment.
As my Mother would say,, we all need to put on our big girl pants and deal with whatver the weekend brings and do our part to help conquer cancer.
I would suggest that if you want to provide feedback on any dislikes about the event, you do so to the WEWC office and PHM, not on the message board where people are looking for advice and support and encouragement.

Randy- Think Pink Direct · Senior Member

Maureen, as another 8th year walker....
THANK-YOU!!!

chubbles · Member

Way to go Maureen!!! This is my fourth year walking, and I have already registered for next year, as has my husband, this is his third year.
This is the first year I went on the message boards, and was quite honestly surprised at all the negativity posted, for things that, in my opinion, just do not matter when you are focused on why we are doing this.
I applaud you for your post, wish you, and everyone else, the best walk ever!!!!

tolou · Veteran Member

I have to agree with you all on this topic. This is my 18th event. I have walked in them all this year in honor of Chad and in each city there are issues. Some don't like the food, they don't like the route, its too hot, its too cold, its too wet!!!! You can't please all of the people and in most cases its not something that is in anyone's control!! However for the lanyard issue a simple issue, don't wear it!!! Put it in your back pack or hang it on your pouch. You only really need it for lunch and dinner!! Its such a small thing to get worked up over. Some have really lost sight of the point of this walk. Its not to say "Hey, look at me and how much I have raised" It all goes in the same pot at the end of the day. If it was about how you do then it would be run like the Miles for Millions years ago. For those that don't remember it, you were sponsored based on miles (kilometers now adays) and after you completed the walk to the best of your ability you then went and collected the money that was promised to you.

For those that have raised their minimum or more, congratulations!! For those still struggling hopefully the donation fairies from the past will pay it forward to help you walk.
As SueG said, put on your big girl pants (grow up) The people complaining need to remember why they decided to do this, who they are walking for and make it about those people not about themselves!!!

Cancer survivors and those battling it don't hold pity parties and neither should we!!!

Doreen H · Veteran Member

Thanks for that tolou. I didn't think anyone else remembered Miles for Millions. I've mentioned it a few times and people look at me as though I'm from the stone age!! That event was certainly not the life changing experience the WTEWC has been for me. Let's remember why we do this, and then do it with all our heart.

Doreen from Ajax smile

6th Weekend
4th time walker

Ashley Costa · Senior Member

Seeing how I started the convo about the lanyards, let me defend myself.

And most of you know me personally, and should know I walk over and over again (even if I had to wear a sweater as my 'lanyard').
I was simply striking conversation (seeing how these boards have been dead leading up to the walk).

Regardless, I am sure 'some' people lose sight of the bigger picture, so your post was probably needed, Maureen.

*Positive thoughts!!*

devmegsmum · Veteran Member

Hey Ashley, No need to defend yourself - everyone has a right to voice their opinion - and I agree the posts have been very slow. I love going on line and seeing what everyone else is up to and what they have to say. I am so excited about the walk and this is just one way to share the experience. I notice a lot of people look at the posts but very few make comments. I think the more the merrier!

CarolynCL · Veteran Member

I remember Miles for Millions... that was actually the first major charity fundraiser I ever participated in. I recall being in grade school at the time in Vancouver, don't recall the grade, but I wasn't very old (must have been in the mid-1970s... I don't think my mother was alive at that point so that puts it in 1975 or later).

I know I did it without training for pennies a mile. I recall finishing the whole dinstance, but not much else. I only did it once as it was such torture for an untrained kid who wasn't very athletic biggrin

Carolyn

Doreen H · Veteran Member

I was in Calgary when I walked the whole thing also. Darn near killed me! I know I was still in elementary school, and it was after my parents divorced, so I'm pegging it at around 1967-68. Good grief!! Am I that old!!
I like this walk much better!!
3 more sleeps.

Doreen from Ajax smile

6th Weekend
4th time walker

Doreen H · Veteran Member

Ashley, thanks for getting things going.
It was very slow on the boards. I think a lot of walkers don't even know they exist, which is a shame. There is so much good advice and encouragement provided by experienced walkers that just might help someone who is feeling a little discouraged with either their fund-raising efforts or their training.
I enjoy reading all the comments, and posting on the boards too. It's a great way to keep in touch, meet new people and get hyped for the event.

Doreen from Ajax smile

Jane Sedlacek · Member

I am thankful that Ashley alerted us to the wider lanyard issue. I had rec'd mine & tossed it ino a basket where I was collecting things to pack without ever noticing. It was a simple fix to switch it with last year's lanyard, and I would have been kicking my butt if I hadn't noticed until Sat morning when it was too late. I agree that it seems like a trivial detail, but after a few hours of that ribbon rubbing against my neck I think I would be pinning the credentials to my shirt.

Miles for Millions- oh my,I hadn't thought about that in years. I did it twice as a teenager. The first time we pushed & pulled a volkswagen ( no motor) through the 30 mile course. towards the end of the course the car got heavier & heavier as we put more little kids in it who could not walk any further. The second time, I walked with a boy & we held hands for the entire 30 miles. Ahhhhhhh!

I really enjoy reading these message boards & agree that not many people take full advantage of them. I much prefer this board to facebook.

devmegsmum · Veteran Member

Is there an active Facebook page. The one I check hasn't had a post on it since July 16th.

Didds · Veteran Member

I looked and couldn't find one either.

The message board does seem to be picking up though!

tolou · Veteran Member

Ashley,
I didn't even realize you had started this whole ball going, LOL smile

. I was just adding my 2 cents, sorry hun!!

Believe me when I say if you think these boards are quiet you should see the other cities. I had posted a comment in Feb last year and it is still in the top 3 and was never read!! They are virtually non-existent. Not sure if they are unaware or just don't bother. I do know that my first year walking I found the boards a huge font of information and subsequently made friends just through messaging. I remember the Friday nite after coming back from day zero and sitting up msging back and forth till after mid-night! Everyone was so pumped it was like kids before Christmas we couldn't sleep.

As for the miles for millions, I think I was in grade 2 or 3 so that would have made it late 60's I think it was right around centenial celebrations. My mother to this day says it almost killed her. Us kids didnt feel a thing the next day, or don't remember it. She still can't believe I have done 17 of these events over the past 5 years and how I function the day after let alone doing them back to back!!!

I guess in the end its the reason that drives us to do this, to make a difference and keep coming back year after year. We believe and thats what matters and we are making a difference. Each and every one of us weather we are newbies first time walking or veterans working on our 8th or more event.

Keep up the chatter it's a great way to keep the spirit and hope alive!!

See you all in 3 sleeps!!

jodikimm · Veteran Member

I am also really pleased that the boards are busy lately. I certainly was missing the activity and now I find I am getting just as excited as I was the first time ( five walks ago). It is a shame that not too many read this board - it is really a font of info. So , everyone keep it up and we'll all have a great weekend.

Ashley Costa · Senior Member

Yup, it was all me Louise ;) hahaha

Whooops !

Can't wait to walk with you all this weekend!!

What an exciting time smile

Walker1 · Veteran Member

My....you people are all youngsters....I was in my early twenties when I walked my one and only Miles for Millions....must have been 1970 or 1971 because we had just moved to Toronto and I know it was BC (Before Children).

As I recall, it rained. My walking buddy and I picked up some green garbage bags in a store en-route and made it the entire way. My hubby and his buddy took shelter in a bar and never finished!! Woman Power!!! :>)

devmegsmum · Veteran Member

Great Story Walker 1! Sounds like something my husband would do. I did the Miles for Millions in public school - I guess it must have been around grade 5-6, I still have the certificate of competion in a photo album. I did it all by myself as no one else I knew was doing it. Guess walking for a cause has been in my blood for a LONG time.