Passion

Do you have a passion?  I have discovered over the years there are a lot of things I like, things I spend a lot time doing but there are not that many I am truly passionate about.  There are two things that I am passionate about without question: my family and cancer.  Maybe because I was so fond of the first the second only came natural as we have been struck by so many different types, stages and scenarios.  I have lost 3 of my grandparents to some form of cancer and my living grandmother is a survivor.  I have a first cousin only 18 months older than I, who is a survivor!!! This is the short list. My aunt Sharon lost her battle in 1999 and this where I believe the passion began.

My aunt Sharon and Uncle Johnny lived in OKC, I remember when I was little thinking that was so far away and we didn’t get to see those cousins near as often and the girl cousins in town.  So it was extra special when they were here.  I’m not sure if we made more or less trips to Baskin Robbins, or got extra money to walk to Mike’s grocery store to fill the gum drawer but something was different.   We did spend lots of time together in the summer at the lake!  After we were older we began learning her passion for breast cancer patients and their families.  As a nurse and a survivor she had first-hand knowledge of what they were going through.   

At some point Sharon became involved in Race for the Cure sponsored by the Susan G. Komen Foundation.  We walked with her for a few years and then suddenly it became personal.  As a 14 year survivor Sharon was re-diagnosed with breast cancer.  There was a blur of life for several months and then her valiant fight was over.  I remember preparing to walk the first year without her.  Her boys had made t-shirts with her picture all stating who she was to us, Wife, Mother, Sister, Aunt and so on.  We walked, we cried and we knew we were keeping her spirit alive and passing on her passion.

I worked for several years with the local Relay for Life, sponsored by the American Cancer Society, which raises money to support all types of cancer.  I continued to walk in the Race for the Cure with family and friends.  In 2008, Sharon’s oldest son presented us with an idea of participating in Komen’s newest awareness event Komen 3 Day.  As he told me we would walk 60 miles in 3 days I remember thinking he was crazy.   I wasn’t sure I had the motivation or desire to prove that to anyone.  The event came and went.  I was somewhat relieved.  He called again for 2009 and it was GAME ON!!! 

We entered in late June or July and I remember when the virtual trainer started sending emails it was 14 weeks until the event.  In some ways this seemed like forever in others it was going to be here before I knew it.  Because of the fact we had missed the prior year I was crazy enough to convince others to try this thing with us.  So… the first of November 2009 Bryan Wetz and his wife Amy, Sue Branan and I, and two other great girls from Dallas began our journey.

The opening ceremonies were amazing!  It was a celebration of those who had fought so hard and were unable to stand there with us.  The 2 ½ days in between were filled with laughter, tears, little sleep, less flushing toilets and portable showers. It was emotional but not in the way I had expected.  Day three ended with a sense of accomplishment and a celebration for those like Sue who were able to stand there.  It also began a true passion in my life to continue the fight because…Everyone Deserves a Lifetime.

There really was no question if I would do it again.  I didn’t see it as a choice but something I could do and there were so many who could not.  The ultimate goal is for a cure for a disease that has now hit both sides of my family increasing my chances of a diagnosis.  With this determination I still did not register too early though trying to find those willing to go or go again.  Sooo the 5^th of November 2010 we walked again, this year Sue and I walked with my sister in law, Mindy and Sue’s cousin Lisa. 

The anticipation was different this year as well as the emotional outcome.  This year as we walked the 60 miles it hit closer to home.  I crossed the finished with my sister in law who is mother to my niece and for the first time I realized it’s not just my life, I walk for Cate's as well.

Mindy and I registered in January for the November 2011 Komen 3 Day.  Although we are unsure of who will walk with us we walk because we can and for those who can no longer walk so that someday there will be no need to walk!!!!