39.3 Miles for Bust

In honor of the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, many people are participating in walks 'For the Cure' this October. These efforts and donations help raise awareness and money for breast cancer research. Also, charities such as the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer help people who cannot otherwise afford the medical expenses to get the tests and medications they need. One of the staff from Memorable Moments participated in the Avon Walk this past weekend in New York City, and shares her story with us.

"I've been training for 6 months. I've been collecting money for donations, and have met and exceeded my goal of $1800. I've bought all the necessary gear for rain or shine with me for the walk. I still had no idea what to expect on Saturday morning, but I knew one thing - I was going to walk as hard and as far as I could because both my mother and my aunt battled and survived breast cancer last year.

'39.3 Miles for Bust' one pin read, and I decided I had to have it. Whether or not I made it, I knew the other men and women who I was walking with would have the same goal in mind. Some would make it further than others, and some would definitely make it to the end, but either way, we were all doing it for the same reason - to end the fight against breast cancer.

It was 5:30 am on Saturday morning, and over 6,000 of us met at Pier 84 in Manhattan to begin our 26.3 miles (a marathon's length) for Day One. I've never felt such pride, and such a cohesiveness, as I did that day. Everyone was smiling, stretching, conversing about their loved ones that they were walking for. There were survivors, those who had breast cancer, people who lost loved ones to breast cancer, and those, like me, who were there to support their family who had been diagnosed with it and fought it.

After the emotional opening ceremony, where we learned over $9.5 million was raised by the walkers who joined us, my boyfriend and I followed the crowds through the streets to start our journey. At Mile 1, the crowd roared for what seemed like 10 minutes as each of us passed the first mile marker. It did not even seem like a mile had passed when walking alongside so many supporters to the cause. When practicing at home, 6 miles in one day seemed grueling and intense - but with these men and women surrounding us, 6 miles flew by with intense feeling and energy that I did not even know I had in me.

The crew and staff of the Avon Walk could not have been better. They cheered us on, they provided us food and water every 2 miles, they helped us cross the crowded streets of Manhattan, they smiled every step of the way. The medical stations at each stop provided bandages for the sore, tired, and blistered feet. They helped us stretch in places we did not even know could be tight. They were amazing, and I do not think this could have been pulled off without all of them.

We survived a half marathon (13.1 miles) on Day One. My hip gave out and I could not go on if I wanted to participate in Day Two. We went home knowing that tomorrow would be another day, and cheered on the remainder of the people who would make it to Randall's Island, or Avon's "Wellness Village," that night for festivities, food and much-needed rest.

The next day we knew we would finish our goal - another 13.1 miles to the finish line! We learned a few tricks from the day before, such as not to stop too long because your muscles start to stiffen up immediately, and we were on our way. Each mile marker seemed such an accomplishment, and by mile 13, we were exhausted, sore, and beaming from ear to ear - we had made it! Families and friends came out to cheer everyone on who was walking - their wives, mothers, sisters, brothers - it was a wonderful sight to see! It may have only been "26.2 Miles for Bust," but we knew who it was really for - my mom, my aunt, and every woman and man who needed the help and money to kick breast cancer out for good!"