More of this Feature • The Trail Marking Crew • Day Zero • Day One • Day Two • Day Three • Closing Ceremonies • Photo Album

Related Resources • 3-Day Walk Locations • Step by Step Through an Avon 3-Day Walk

We were one of the last crew teams to arrive at the Holding Area for the Closing Ceremonies.  We turned in our crew fleece jackets and got our white long-sleeved shirts.  Gretchen arrived just in time to join us as we all walked out with the rest of the crew through the line of walkers who cheered us and thanked us.  It was very moving, I felt a lot of love.

We walked the stretch to the stadium and lined the street for the walkers to pass between our two lines.  As they lined up, volunteers passed out water and Gatorade to keep us hydrated through the proceedings.  We also had porta-johns there so we had no worries.  We were to remain silent and only give a silent salute of waving hands to the walkers.

As the walkers in their blue shirts came and filled in the street, water and Gatorade was passed overhead to anyone who needed it.  Finally, they marched into the stadium to the cheers of the crowd.  They were followed by the breast cancer survivors who had walked, designated by pink shirts.

Our trail marking team stayed together for the final march into the stadium.  I loved having a landmark - the Space Needle - to mark our arrival.  I loved it in DC when our goal was the Washington Monument.

We walked in to the cheers of the crowd and the speeches of the Avon people, Dan Pallotta of Pallotta TeamWorks.  They announced that we had raised at least $4.7 million dollars net for breast cancer charities.  They awarded $2.7 million of this to the Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Center in Seattle.  Other money will go to early detection programs and other breast cancer charities.

We had been out alone on the trail for days.  But each of us on our team knew why we were there.  To end breast cancer.  It is very exciting to be living in times where this is a realistic goal.  I lost my Grandma Jane to breast cancer 20 years ago.  She was a short but strong and determined woman, a fighter to the end.  I know I am a lot like her and I honor her memory.  I am determined than no more women have to suffer as she did.

I dripped tears through the Closing Ceremonies.  Of triumph, of joy, of memories.  I loved the entire experience of being on the Crew and I look forward to walking the Seattle 2002 Avon Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk.  I may even join another Crew before then.  I send my love to my team mates, to all of the Crew, and to the heroic walkers and their supporters.  Together we can end breast cancer forever.

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Photos copyright August, 2001 Wendy Bumgardner, licensed to About.com