- Wendy's Step-by-Step of DC 2001
- Photo Album of Avon 3-Day Walks
- Seattle 2001 Trail Marking Team Diary
From Our Forum
Sue
My sisters and I did the 3-day in San Francisco this past July. Our mom is a breast cancer survivor and had decided to be on the crew. We live in Vancouver, WA. Between the 3 of us we had to raise $5400. We know a lot of the same people and it was tough at times. My husband sent out e-mails at his work. My in-laws sent letters to friends and family. My sister, who works at a coffee cart, put up a sign that said all her tips were going to the cause. We were so close.
Then I went to an e-mail group list that a fellow walker had set up specifically for the SFO 3-day to help each other with training and any other concerns any one had. A few people had said fundraising was a concern. I replied also, and was amazed at how much support I got. Fellow walkers had wanted to sponsor us, and some wanted to give us their extra checks! We were only a couple hundred away from our goal when we arrived at day zero. As we were waiting in line to turn in our pledges, there were lots of people who were standing around with extra pledges, wanting to give them to someone who needed them, because they had already met their minimum. Some people don't like that this happened, but for us, who had signed up late, and had to raise so much money, we were so glad they were so generous. Next year we will walk in Seattle, WA. We will start fundraising early so we won't have the same problem, and maybe be able to help others, like they helped us!
Sue Burton
Joan
I walked the LA 3-Day in 1999 and am walking again this October. I had not done anything resembling an athletic event in about 25 years! My idea of exercise until the 3-day was walking from my house to the car!
I was only able to train on weekends and I finished every mile with minimum difficulty. And, it is not necessarily about finishing every mile - it is about going beyond your previous best. You will be amazed at what you can do!
I was concerned about the fund raising aspect - but it was not difficult. The 3-Day gives you all sorts of suggestions and help with both fundraising and training. It is surprising how generous you will find people to be when you are fundraising for breast cancer - particularly if you have a family story to tell!
If you are in an area when this year's 3-day is walked and able to get to the route, I encourage you to go out to cheer the walkers and/or attend closing ceremonies. I would be surprised if you were not moved to register on the spot!!
Katrina
I walked about 3-5 miles about five days a week and was terrified of the fundraising for the Avon 3Day Breast cancer Walk. Well, a good friend of mine signed up for the Southern California Walk and called me to tell me she was doing the walk for me and did I want to join her. Kind of a hard offer to refuse. Anyway, I signed up and am having the time of my life! I walk longer on the weekdays...about 5-6 miles and do a long walk with a bunch of other women that are walk participants on Sundays.
We do about 11 miles and are going to build up to 20. Eleven miles is way different than 5 but, I find training makes all the difference. I am meeting amazing, courageous, go-for-it kind of women all with amazing stories to tell about what motivated them to get involved. Sometimes you are sorry the morning's walk is over cause you are so engaged in conversation...meaningful conversation.
The aspect that scared me the most was the fundraising. Two days after I sent my letter out I had eight very generous checks in my mailbox. I sat down and cried. I have already met my goal. One out of every seven women get breast cancer in her life...that is a lot of us! Almost everyone has been touched personally. It feels wonderful to do something to stem this tide. The first three walks have already happened (Chicago, Washington D.C. and Boston.) They cleared 16 million dollars after event costs. This money is going to help uninsured and underinsured women get mammograms and treatment if they need it. Also, it is going to fund research to find a cure. With all the love, sweat and prayers accompanying the contribution I think it'll happen. Anyway, my long winded message is...go for it you will come out the other end a better person in more ways than I can name.
Next> More Walkers' Stories
Step-by-Step on an Avon 3-Day Walk> Page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
More of this Feature
• 3-Day Walk
• 3-Day Locations
• 3-Day Training
• Training Schedule
• 3-Day Fundraising
• Step-by-Step on the Walk
• Photo Album
• 3-Day Walking Gear Top Picks
• 3-Day Camp Gear Top Picks
