3-Day Thursday

I've decided to do regular posts to track my personal Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure challenge; 3-Day Thursdays. Not sure if it will be weekly or less often; we'll see. Now, where to start?? Nov 12-14 seems like a long way off, but I know the time will fly! So far, I've raised approximately $700 toward my personal goal of $3500, which is a great start, but I'm still a bit leery of the fund-raising thing. I guess I find it difficult to approach people asking for money, but I'll have to get over it, won't I? I've gotten some good fundraising tips online at the 3-Day.org website , which I'll be testing out over the next few months. One thing I've decided is to save aluminum cans and cash them in. We already save our soda cans, but from now on the money will go to the 3-Day (rather than to buy more soda). I've asked the women in my art group to do the same, and will collect them periodically. I need to focus on my physical training as well as the fund-raising. I walk sometimes, and go to the gym sporadically, but walking 60 miles will definitely take some focused training. I'm going to use this challenge to develop some healthy exercise and eating habits, hopefully! The 3-Day.org website has some great information on training, and a suggested training plan. Next week I'm going to attend a "get-started" meeting that the Komen organization sponsors, and hopefully get some more training info then, as well. I also have tips for buying shoes, and have planned some walking routes around our neighborhood. Our subdivision is built around a large loop road, which I have found out is about 3.8 miles around, so that's a great route to start with!

I signed up for this event on my own, but I'd like to know some fellow walkers since I'll be spending 3 days with them! The 3-Day is basically a big hike and campout, just through urban areas. They have a huge support system of volunteers that help carry the gear from the start to the camping areas, help set up the meal tents, shower facilities, pit stops along the walking route, etc. This event is sooo much more huge than I ever thought it was before! Anyway, I found a team of walkers in the area (meaning south/east Phoenix suburbs) to join, and will be meeting them next Friday... I am now a proud member of the Ta-Ta Sisterhood! ("save the ta-tas" is another popular slogan related to breast cancer research...) You can visit the team blog here, and check out links to the individual team members. The team will be a great place for fund-raising and training support, and hopefully I'll come out of it with some new friends, too!

So, I've covered my own fund-raising and training efforts to date... now, a public service announcement of sorts about breast cancer, Susan G. Komen, and the 3-Day. The incidence of an invasive breast cancer diagnosis in women is a little less than one in eight. (a sobering thought... think about all the women you know-- I'm sure you know more than eight!) And, the incidence of breast cancer in men is about one percent-- yes, men can get it too! Since 1982, Susan G. Komen for the Cure has invested $1.5 billion in breast cancer research and community programs and promises to invest another $1 billion by 2017. Of every dollar spent, 84 cents goes toward their mission (research, education, screening and treatment); the other 16 cents goes toward administrative and fundraising costs. In 2009, the 3-Day for the Cure series took place in 15 cities nationwide and raised more than $91 million. (!!! wow!!!) So, I will be in good company, doing what I can to help eradicate a disease than can be devastating to a person's physical and mental health and well-being, not to mention a huge financial toll. If you would like more information, you can check out the Komen website, or the 3-Day for the Cure website. Please consider donating (my personal page is here)-- any amount will help-- but if your financial situation is such that you don't feel you can donate now, I'll be back soon with other ways you can help any 3-Day participant. (and thanks to my sister Jackie; I snagged the photos for this post off her Flickr site.)