Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Take a Walk

Happy October!

October is a lot of great things: the beginning of fall, perfect weather just about everywhere, changing leaves, baseball post-season and football, Halloween for those who go in for that sort of thing . . .
October is also National Breast Cancer Awareness month.

And this Saturday, October 4, is the 3rd Annual TBBCF Walk Across Southeastern Connecticut.

A 26.2 walk across Southeastern Connecticut. That, my friends, is a long walk.

TBBCF is the Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Foundation, named for a young mother of three who was diagnosed with and died of breast cancer. One of the founders of TBBCF was Norma Logan, a friend of Terri’s – and the best friend of our own MartyJoCo – who was chagrined to discover that a large percentage of the money raised by breast cancer organizations was being spent on overhead and administrative costs.

The mission statement of the TBBCF reads:
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The Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Foundation is a non-profit group dedicated to providing critical funding to researchers in search of a cure for breast cancer. Our pledge is to direct 100 percent of total gross fundraising dollars toward breast cancer research.
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100%. Pretty good percentage, if you ask me. 100% of the money raised goes directly to research, actually to the researchers themselves, those who win the grants.

After Norma started the Foundation, she, too, was diagnosed with breast cancer, and she too died too young, too soon, too tragically.
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In 2006, the Foundation kicked off the Walk Across Southeastern Connecticut, which was a huge success. MartyJoCo and a couple hundred other brave souls walked a marathon – 26.2 miles – and raised loads of money for breast cancer research. I was on the crew – specifically the Opening and Closing Ceremony crew, and the number of people who donated their time was overwhelming – those setting up and taking down tents, bicyclists along the route, pit stop crew, masseuses, bands, and tons of food for lunch and the closing ceremony donated by local restaurants. It was an incredible and exhilarating day.

In 2007, for the 2nd annual walk, Bill and I were out west, and couldn’t be part of the event. MartyJoCo walked it again, though. Of course she did.
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And this year’s walk is this Saturday.
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MartyJo’s walking again. Of course she is!

And so is our new friend Barbara.

As are 400 other people.

I’m on the Opening and Closing Crew again, but this time I don’t have to be in Old Saybrook by 5 a.m.; I’m on the afternoon shift.

But I hope I still get a royal blue t-shirt. And a bowl of chowder.

Check out the Foundation's website. It’s full of wonderful information and wonderful people, including, and especially, Terri and Norma.

Read Norma Logan’s promise, check out the community events, watch the photos montage video of last year’s walk . . .
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. . . including this photo, which cracks me up.

And most importantly of all, check out ways you can Sponsor a Walker or Donate to the Foundation.

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Norma made the important distinction between awareness and research. Pink ribbons everywhere are the wonderful and successful result of breast cancer awareness. But what we need for a cure is research.

It’s the beginning of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Maybe we can begin to call it National Breast Cancer Awareness and Research Month. What better way to celebrate than to add to its success?

15 comments:

martyjoco said...

Beautiful, Ellie! Thank you from Martha and Norma and Terri.

Hey, on the foundation web site, you can donate in support of specific WALK TEAM VOLUNTEERS, including the one and only Ms. Corey! Just as she ran the kiddie train lo those many years ago ("very efficiently and expertly"), when she volunteered in 2006 she was SO GOOD they put her in charge of her team! At five in the morning!! (Sorry if this plug breaks any of those arcane blog-world rules, I don't have time to read up on them... must train!)

Anonymous said...

Good luck to Martha and all the other walkers! And have fun helping, Ellie.

We'll be cheering you on from Ohio.

Lisa & Mikey

Anonymous said...

Go get 'em, women! I'm proud of both of you. Visitors and friends, do yourself a favor and visit the organization's website and read the "Logan's Promise" tab

http://www.terribrodeurbreastcancerfoundation.org/

It's hard to find a more worthwhile cause if you are able to give.

Anonymous said...

I hope you all get a beautiful, crisp, sunny New England day for this very meaningful walk. And I hope the donations come pouring in.

Kat said...

Thank you for pointing out the difference between awareness and research. My husband's aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer 2 years ago right after she delivered her 3rd baby. She was already stage 3 and things were looking gloomy. She is now in remission and finally has all her hair back. Cancer is a nasty disease and you are right we need a cure, not just awareness.

Kathy Rogers said...

Amen.

I love it that the first grant recipient on the site you linked to is working on prevention.

And thanks for your nice comment on my pink-hating post.

That One Guy said...

That "second base" photo made me GUFFAWWW.

And to you walkers, I say, GITTERDONE!!!

Awesome.

steenky bee said...

I echo your sentiments. Awareness is totally different than a cure. One of our clients at work is Huntsman Cancer Institute. I am in awe of all they do to not only promote awareness, but critical research. I'm proud I can take part in an important endeavor.

Life Junkie said...

You're a WAY cooler Ellie with a WAY more exciting life than this Ellie! :)

-Ellie (a.k.a. Life Junkie)

Anonymous said...

Another Ellie?! Is that even possible?

Captain Dumbass said...

"Save second base." That's awesome. Yay boobies!

Springer Kneeblood said...

My wife is a breast cancer survivor who had to have a complete mastectomy, chemotherapy, months of misery, and loss of hair that never came back. Before she faced the horrors of dealing with cancer, I was like too many other people...aware, but not really AWARE. I applaud every person who spends a penny or an ounce of energy on the battle against breast cancer. And for those who give financially until it feels wonderful to be poor and who walk or run until their physical exhaustion is testament to their commitment, I express my personal thanks for helping someone, like my wife, survive. I'm in awe of everyone who cares enough to actually DO SOMETHING. The reason my wife is still with me is that research has continued to get better and get funded by people who give up their weekends or their second bottles of wine in favor of something important. Bless!

NucMEd is Hot said...

Thanks for the great post! There is never too much research!

Kat said...

Ellie,
I am looking for a way to contact you but I don't see an email address. Please email me at kitten22481 (at) gmail (dot) com. I need to ask a favor for when I am moving.
Kat
Thanks.

Imperatrix said...

Have fun! And good luck to all the folks who will be walking the looooong 26 miles!