Walkers, runners and cyclists turn their bucket list goal into a fundraising benefit for charity. Rather than sign up for a convenient marathon, half marathon, walking or cycling tour, they sign on with a charity training group or charity event. Often the fundraising goals for such programs are $2000 - $4000 depending on location. The most common beneficiaries are breast cancer and AIDS charities.
I last participated in a challenging multi-day walking event for charity in 2003 - the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer (first as a volunteer crew member, then as a walker). Previously I both walked and crewed for the 3-Day Breast Cancer Walk -- now named the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure in various locations in the US from 2001-2002. In reporting on those events, I became familiar with a For A Cause, which began organizing "voluntourism" rides/walks in Europe to benefit AIDS and breast cancer charities. The director, Ron Webber, invited me to come along this year as a press participant on their France Walk/Ride 2011.
Like the other walkers and riders, I have to provide my own airfare to get to and from Paris and will have to raise $2500 for my chosen charity, Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Because a portion of the money raised goes to put on the event, I will do as I've done before and pledge to my donors that I will be funding that portion out of my own pocket. That way they know that their money is all going to the charity aspect of the event, not my walking vacation.
I will also have to train very seriously all summer for the walking requirements. I will need to be able to walk 12-16 miles per day for five straight days. This will give me serious incentive to be faithful to training and weight loss all summer. While I know I can "gut it out" through a single half marathon walk of 13.1 miles, you can't do that for five days in a row.
What will have changed in the eight years since I last walked this sort of event? I think that fundraising using social media such as Facebook and Twitter may make it easier. But the world economic situation may make it much more difficult.
One attraction of the For A Cause event is that we won't be camping out in tents as you are expected to do for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure or Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. Instead, we stay at a castle, with access to our luggage, a real bed, electrical power, and flush toilets.
I count the 3-Day Walks I walked in as my top experiences as a walker. While walking a marathon or going on a walking tour are a physical challenge, there is a different spirit when you are doing it to benefit a charity. I lost one grandmother to breast cancer and I have many relatives and friends who are survivors. It feels great to turn my walking accomplishment away from simple self-improvement and direct it towards doing good for others.
Photo © Wendy Bumgardner
