In 2009, I walked on behalf of the friend who lost her best friend that same year because she broke her leg just months before the event. Later that year, at the 5k event, I met the family of the girl in whose memory I walked. I walked with two sisters who lost their mother to breast cancer, and we proudly carried the Mother banner together and shared so much laughter and so many tears. I walked with two best friends, one of whom lost her mother, and the other of whom walked to support her. That friend hurt her knee - badly - on day 1, but she kept going and walked as much of each leg as she possibly could in order to support her best friend. When I developed a tension knot the size of a grapefruit in my thigh on day 1, a crew member massaged my leg as long as she could to get me back in walking shape for the next day. When I bruised my foot on day 2, another crew member treated it and taped it up so that I could keep going. The people I met, and the friendships I developed, were amazing, and I am honored to say that I am still friends with all of these incredible women 14 years later.

So I am walking for all of these people. I'm walking because some can't. I'm walking because 60 miles is not nearly as hard as chemo. No, my walk won't cure cancer. But your support of it can! And I'm walking to show my support for everyone who has faced it from any perspective, and especially for those who may face it in the future. I'm walking 60 miles to show my commitment. I'm walking because I watched my Mom go through chemo when I was 21 and couldn't even fathom what was happening. I'm walking because I never got to meet my grandmother or my great-grandmother, after whom I was named. I'm walking for my sister, my brother, my niece and nephews, my aunts and uncles, my cousins and their kids, my friends and their kids, and myself. I'm walking because cancer SUCKS! Far more than any of the blisters, bruises, and muscle strains I will likely develop along the way.

People often gasp when I tell them I'm walking 60 miles. Yes, it's a lot. But it's literally a blip compared to chemo and radiation. It's nothing compared to watching someone you love waste away, lose their hair, lose their lunch, and still lose the battle. People are also stunned when I tell them I have to raise a minimum of $2300 in order to participate. Again, it's a lot. And honestly, the fundraising is as tough as the training. But it takes a lot to put on an event like this, and the organizers and sponsors need to know the participants are committed. It also takes a lot to pay for research. And that's what it's really about. Research is expensive. We've come a long way since my grandmother passed. We've come a long way since my Mom's mastectomies. But we still have a long way to go. It is my dream that by the time my niece and nephews and my cousins' kids may have to face this that we have at least better treatment options, if not a cure. And cancer is cancer. And the treatment options currently available are zero fun. I like walking in my favorite color and sporting pink ribbons because it's a lot more fun to talk about saving second base, but at the end of the day, if we can find a cure for any kind of cancer, we might just be able to cure all types of cancer. All donations go toward research, raising awareness, developing treatments, and providing preventative services to those in need.

So if you can, I would be so appreciative of any support you can offer, be it financially or just through love and prayer. I know it's a big ask. But it's a big walk and a much bigger cause. So if you are able to make a donation, I would be so deeply grateful. But if you aren't able, I would appreciate your love and prayers. And if you could share this post, it would be so helpful. If you're seeing this, you are important to me, and your support means the world to me.

And if you are able to donate, please let me know if you're donating in memory or in honor of someone special so that I can make sure you and that person are recognized. As I did in 2009, I will be having shirts made to name every person for whom I'm walking. And if you own a business, I would be honored to advertise your business as a sponsor. Also, please stay tuned for more fun fundraising events in the next couple months. If you participated in the Super Bowl pool, thank you! I plan to do more events similar to this because we still have a long way to go!

Together we have the power to eradicate cancer. Until we do, I'll keep on walking. 60 miles is a long walk, but we have so many more miles to go. Even if you've just taken the time to read through this, please know that I appreciate you. And however you are able to support me, I thank you from the depths of my heart and my currently healthy tatas.