PUPS for the cure

Sassy and I had a wonderful time at the First Annual Susan G. Komen Paws for the Cure in Roanoke a couple Saturdays ago. We were joined by my friends Krystal and Nicole and over 75 other dogs (along with lots of owners and other human supporters).

This event was a one mile walk to raise money for breast cancer research and education through Susan G. Komen. Each dog got a pink ribbon scarf to wear - luckily for Sassy, they had a variety of sizes so we found one to fit her.

Sassy met lots of other dogs, many big ones, a few small and she was especially excited to meet two other miniature dachshunds!

After the walk we visited the variety of booths (Komen gear, homemade gourmet dog treats, etc) and to my delight there was a caricaturist! She was amazing and I'm thrilled with our picture.

We had a great day for a great cause! Sassy did her part to help find a cure... how are you going to make a difference?

UPDATE for the cure:

Total Training Miles: 29

Total Sponsored Miles: 25 out of 60

SPONSOR A MILE OF MY 3-DAY JOURNEY HERE!

TRAINING for the cure

Saturday was a big day for me and my 3-day training. I was registered to participate in the Kappa Delta sorority’s Shamrock 5K on the Virginia Tech campus. You can imagine my reaction when I woke up on Saturday morning to temperatures in the mid-thirties. Why, oh why, do I live in Blacksburrrrrrrrrrrrrg?!? After getting dressed in all the underarmor clothing I own and my hot pink New Balance “Lace Up for the Cure” sneakers, I headed to campus for the race.

Although the race was only 3.1 miles, it was challenging. The freezing temperature, a number of hills, and inches and inches of mud from all the recent rain gave me and my pretty pink shoes quite the experience. Even my socks were soaked in mud by the time I reached the finish line. YUCK!

Now, keep in mind my goal for this race was simple – finish and not be last! I am happy to report my goal was met. In November, Sassy, my friend Meghan and I completed the Drumstick Dash 5K in 1 hour and 3 minutes. I crossed the Shamrock 5K finish line with 43 minutes, 17 seconds on the clock and a number of other participants behind me. I am aware this is still a very slow pace (a little under 14 minutes per mile) but it’s getting better.

26 training miles down… about 1,000 more to go before October! My shoes got a nice bath in the washing machine Saturday afternoon and they’re all dry and ready to hit the road again.

UPDATE for the cure:

Total Training Miles: 26

Total Sponsored Miles: 25 out of 60

SPONSOR A MILE OF MY 3-DAY JOURNEY HERE!

KISS for the cure

Not sure if any of you caught the Season Five premier of Gene Simmons’ Family Jewels last Sunday night but it’s worth watching. Yes, this seriously is a blog posting about the reality show following the life of the lead singer of KISS and his family. Don't judge my choice of television - we all have guilty pleasures!

Now as much as I truly enjoy the Simmons family rarely, correction – NEVER do I find myself identifying with the situation they’re facing during any given episode. That statement was true until last week.

While Gene was on tour with KISS for their new album, Shannon (Gene’s long time girlfriend and mother of his two children), Shannon’s sister and another female friend were shopping when in the fitting room Shannon felt a lump in her breast. From this moment on in the episode, I could not stop the tears. I could not control my emotions because I know all too well the horror and agony of having a loved one go through this stage of tests and waiting (and waiting and waiting and waiting). Although I know how it feels to watch someone go through this, I cannot imagine how it feels to have this awful, unwelcome mass inside your own body – in your breast – and not be able to do anything but wait. Amazingly, Shannon is also going through this period of uncertainty and fear with a television crew following her every step.

The episode really did a good job of portraying the entire sequence of events so many women and men have personally gone through (from discovery of the lump to clinical breast exams to biopsies) and very many of us only have nightmares about.

The episode ended with Shannon and Gene’s children Nick and Sophie (ages 20 and 17) accidentally reading a text message and finding out about their Mom having a biopsy done. Nick calls Gene to tell him and Gene decides to come home from tour to be with Shannon when she gets the biopsy results.

Shannon received the results during last night’s episode and thankfully, everything was benign. I did admire the way she handled the entire experience and before she even left the doctor’s office she was asking how she could help in the fight against breast cancer. The episode ended with Shannon and her teenage daughter Sophie sponsoring a day of mammograms to low-income and underserved women in the Los Angeles area through the Pink Lotus Petals Foundation.

Life lesson learned from Gene Simmons’ Family Jewels: Take responsibility for your own health and find a way to make a difference for others.


UPDATE for the cure:
Total Training Miles: 26
Total Sponsored Miles: 25 out of 60
SPONSOR A MILE OF MY 3-DAY JOURNEY HERE!

OAKS for the cure

So voting ended Friday night for the 136th Kentucky Oaks Breast Cancer Survivor Parade. As you all know, the 136 nominees receiving the most votes will be honored in a survivor parade at the Kentucky Oaks horse race in a few weeks.

Between 250 and 300 women and men were nominated and I am so amazed to report that when voting ended my Mom had THE MOST VOTES OF ALL THE NOMINEES!!!!! She was in the top spot with 462 votes - over 150 votes ahead of even the 2nd place nominee. It's official - everyone in Southwest Virginia and far beyond know about our Kentucky Oaks and Derby trip. Mom even had votes placed from Italy and Afghanistan!!!

This is a HUGE thank you to everyone who voted for Mom during the past two weeks! She was shocked to see the support and know she has so many people on her side. We will certainly be taking bunches of pictures during our trip and posting updates here so be sure to check it out.

PS. We haven't bought our hats yet... still looking for the perfect ones.

UPDATE for the cure:
Total Training Miles: 26
Total Sponsored Miles: 25 out of 60
SPONSOR A MILE OF MY 3-DAY JOURNEY HERE!

VOTE for the cure

Ok folks – your help is needed! Voting has started for the Breast Cancer Survivor Parade at the 136th Kentucky Oaks. Almost 300 women and men have been nominated for this honor and only 136 will be selected so EVERY VOTE COUNTS!!!

Please follow this link to vote for my mom, Carol Raines from Cedar Bluff, Virginia.
http://www.kentuckyderby.com/oaks/survivors/carol-cedar-bluff-virginia
To vote, you must register with Derby Nation using your email address and you can vote for up to 10 survivors (but only one vote per survivor). Voting ends next Friday, March 26.

Attending the Kentucky Oaks and Derby is going to be a dream come true for Mom! Please vote and spread the word to help make her experience even more amazing by giving her the opportunity to be honored in the Survivor Parade.


UPDATE for the cure:

Total Training Miles: 15
Total Sponsored Miles: 23.5 out of 60
SPONSOR A MILE OF MY 3-DAY JOURNEY HERE!

SURPRISE for the cure

My sister, Robyn, and I met Mom for lunch yesterday with a wonderful agenda. We have been planning her Mother’s Day surprise and even though the holiday isn’t for another month and a half – we couldn’t wait any longer to tell Mom our plans.

My Mom has always dreamed of going to the Kentucky Derby. She is a lifelong horse lover and she has mentioned for as long as I can remember how much she would love to watch the Derby from a seat in Churchill Downs. So this year for an early Mother's Day gift, WE HAVE KENTUCKY DERBY TICKETS AND WE’RE HEADED TO LOUISVILLE IN A FEW WEEKS!

Mom was totally surprised and absolutely thrilled. She has been telling everyone she runs into that she’s going to the Kentucky Derby this year and getting lots of advice from what type of hat to wear to how many mint juleps she should or should not drink haha.

We will also be attending the 136th Kentucky Oaks which is the sister race to the Kentucky Derby. Susan G. Komen has partnered with the Kentucky Oaks and for the second year the entire day is focused on breast cancer awareness. The official color for Kentucky Oaks is pink, the official flower is the stargazer lily, the official drink is the Pink Lily and for the second year, immediately before the Kentucky Oaks race, there will be a Breast Cancer Survivor Parade around the track at Churchhill Downs. 136 survivors will be selected for this honor by an online nomination and voting process. I have submitted an essay to nominate my Mom but I need your help for the next step – VOTING. Stay tuned for details…


UPDATE for the cure:

Total Training Miles: 15
Total Sponsored Miles: 23.5 out of 60
SPONSOR A MILE OF MY 3-DAY JOURNEY HERE!

HOPE for the cure

Last week I found out one of my very dear friend’s had gone in for her regular mammogram and then got a call back for further testing. My heart immediately stopped. I have always felt breast cancer is a terrible disease but Mom’s diagnosis has changed my feelings, changed my reaction, changed my response… honestly, it has changed me.

I am so very proud of my friend for (1) getting regular mammograms and (2) facing the future head-on by bravely going back as scheduled for the follow up mammogram. We are all at risk for breast cancer and waiting will not make it go away or get better on its own but it still takes so much strength and courage to walk into the doctor’s office knowing this diagnosis might be waiting inside for you.

She received her latest results yesterday and I am so thrilled to announce – everything is fine! Prayers were answered and although this was a scare none of us want to face, I thank the good Lord above for this wonderful news.

This is my plea – do not let fear stop you from getting these important medical screenings or following up with your doctors. You are not alone – together we can protect ourselves and one day we WILL have a cure to stop this disease!


UPDATE for the cure:

Total Training Miles: 15
Total Sponsored Miles: 23.5 out of 60

SPONSOR A MILE OF MY 3-DAY JOURNEY BY CLICKING HERE!

CARNIVAL for the cure

In January I was blessed with a wonderful Caribbean vacation visiting Mexico, the Cayman Islands and Jamaica. Toward the end of our week spent aboard the Carnival Liberty, Dave and I participated in On Deck for the Cure.

What is On Deck for the Cure?

“ Modeled after a similar program launched last year by our Carnival’s sister brand Holland America, the goal of On Deck for the Cure is to raise $1 million for breast cancer research as well as raise consumer awareness regarding breast cancer, one of the leading causes of death for women in the U.S. These fantastic fundraising events are held on a total of 14 "Fun Ships" and will include all vessels operating cruises of seven days or longer. Take a small walk and make a big difference. Participate in Carnival's On Deck for the Cure on your cruise.”

We joined hundreds of other Carnival guests and crew on the running track on top deck of the ship. We walked one mile together dressed in pink to raise money and awareness of this disease that is touching TOO many women and men across our country and world.

It really felt great to come together and work for a cure even while on vacation! I’m hoping to be aboard another Carnival ship before the year’s end and I’m already looking forward to being back on deck for the cure!


Update:

Total Training Miles: 15
Total Sponsored Miles: 22.5 out of 60

Click here to visit my personal 3-Day page and sponsor a mile or two!

OUTSIDE for the cure

I am thrilled to report today was my FIRST outside training walk! A two mile walk around Blacksburg in the beautiful sunshine was wonderful. I did find it surprising that some of the sidewalks in more shaded areas still have several inches of snow on them – despite the fact it hasn’t snowed here in at least a couple weeks and the past few days temperatures have gotten around 60 degrees.

Hopefully Sassy and I can go on a one mile walk later this evening (with Nellie’s Cave Park being in the middle of our route). Sassy loves going to the park… well, she did the last time we were there before the very snowy months of December, January and February.

Hooray for sunshine!!!


Update:

Total Training Miles: 15
Total Miles Sponsored: 22 out of 60

PAWS for the cure

Sassy and I are tickled pink! We just registered for PAWS for the Cure and can't wait for March 20th to get here. PAWS for the Cure is a way for our furry friends to get involved in finding a cure for breast cancer. This is also a wonderfully fun way for me to add another mile to my training for "The Big 3 Day" in October.

We would love to have all our friends (of the two and four-legged variety) join us for this awesome event. Rumor has it one of Sassy's very favorite people - my best friend Krystal - will be coming all the way from Pittsburgh to walk with us :-)

So join us for PAWS for the Cure and let's find a doggone cure already!

Register Here!

Here are the event details:

Now your dogs can help for a cause!

Date: Saturday, March 20th
Time: 9am - 1pm

Join us at Reserve Avenue Park for our first annual Paws for the Cure! A one mile Walk just for you and your furry freind! Registration is $15.00 per dog!

Other Activies that will be happening at this event are:
*Angels of Assisi will be there to dog chip the dogs at the cost of $20. Donating 25% to Susan G. Komen

*Dr. Spangler - will be there from 9-12Blue Collar Joe's will be there to provide coffee and doughnuts - donating 25% to Susan G. Komen

*PawPaw Dog Treats will provide dog treats for Yappy Hour, donating 25% to Susan G. Komen

*Animal Care Center of Salem will be providing Pawdicures and possibly baths..havent confirmed the baths yet.

*Gift cards will be given away to various facilities - Flying Fur Obedience School in Blacksburg, Franklin Tire (Rocky Mt.)

*Photographer will be there to take candid shots.

More info can be found here: http://www.komenroanoke.org/

Update:

Total Training Miles: 13

Total Miles Sponsored: 22 out of 60

EDUCATION for the cure

Tonight was the first session of a Women’s Health Series I’m leading as part of the Women’s Month celebrations at Virginia Tech. The topic tonight was breast health and breast cancer awareness.

It is so important that we first educate ourselves about breast health with these four steps:
1. Know Your Risk
2. Get Screened
3. Know What is Normal for You
4. Make Healthy Lifestyle Choices

But, that isn’t all. We each have a responsibility to educate others. Remind those mothers, sisters, friends, aunts, and other women in your life to get clinical breast exams and mammograms. A simple reminder could save their life!

There are currently over 2.5 million breast cancer survivors living in the United States – this would not be possible with education, awareness, screening and treatment.

Want to know more? The resources online are unlimited but please make sure you’re on a reputable site. There is also a great deal of incorrect info out there. Check out www.komen.org or www.cancer.org for accurate and up-to-date information.


Update:

Total Training Miles: 13
Total Miles Sponsored: 22 out of 60