DAY 30: Send out Komen 3-Day for the Cure donation emails

Today is the start of my countdown…30 days to October 8^th, 2010.  The day I graced the world with my presence 30 years ago.  ;)

I wanted to kick off with something that is very close to my heart. I will be participating in the Susan G. Komen 60-mile 3-day for the cure walk this November in Dallas.  We will be walking 20 miles a day and camping out at special campgrounds overnight.  I signed up about a month ago, but in my true procrastinating form I kept waiting to send out the donation emails.  I have committed to raising $2300, and if I don’t raise that money then it will come out of pocket.  So this is one of the most important things I want to get accomplished this month.  I know it will feel amazing to raise that money for breast cancer research and then walk with thousands of survivors and individuals walking in memory of others who lost their battle with this disease.  It will be life changing!

This cause is so important to me for many reasons.  My good friend Natalie from high school was diagnosed with breast cancer last summer at the age of 28.  She courageously underwent a double mastectomy and chemotherapy and is now cancer free!  I admire her for her strength and I am proud to walk on her team Hope Forever Young this November.  

Natalie and I at our 10 year high school reunion

There are several more people in my life that have been affected by this disease.  One of them,my grandmother Gloria Lewis, is someone who has positively impacted my life deeply and who I think about every single day.  She died in 1991 when I was 11 years old, but I still remember every thing about the day I had to say goodbye to her.  I was extremely close to her and lived with her, my grandpa and my mom until I was 7.  She taught me to read.  She encouraged me that I could do anything I put my mind to!  She practiced dances with me, sang to me and was the most compassionate person I have ever known.

She would sing, 

“Que Sera, Sera,

Whatever will be, will be

  The  future’s not ours, to see

Que Sera, Sera

What will be, will be.”

My beautiful Grandma Lewis

She was right!  Whatever will be will be.  I cherish every moment we had together.  Even when she was very ill, she still taught her preschool classes because they loved her so much!  I hate that I had to lose such a special person, but I love participating in events like this that make me feel closer to her.  I have done several Race for the Cure events, but I am extremely proud to be a part of the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for a Cure.   I feel like every little bit helps bring us closer to changing the course of breast cancer forever.

 TOMORROW DAY 29 = The dentist! Say AHHH!

If you would like to donate please click here!  I feel great to have completed my first task on my list, but I will be raising money for the next two months!