I walk for my future granddaughters so that they may wear pink ribbons in their hair, and not on their shirts. Did you know… in the United States one person is diagnosed with breast cancer every three minutes (I say person because men develop breast cancer too!). And 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. Those are some pretty startling statistics. No one should ever have to face this disease, so in order to create a future without breast cancer, Nancy Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure and launched the global breast cancer movement. For me, the breast cancer movement started …

Read part 1 here When I tell people that I am participating in the Susan G. Koman 3 Day for the Cure they look at me like I’m crazy; ESPECIALLY when I tell them that this will be my 4th walk. Some people even tell me that it’s impossible for them to walk that far in 3 days, so they aren’t even going to try. But I know it’s all in how you punctuate it! It’s not “Impossible” it’s “I’m Possible”. I know that’s a little corny, but it’s true. On my first walk I discovered I can accomplish the impossible; I just have to believe in myself. The way that I explain why I walk, is like this… This is my “one thing” I do for myself every year. I know, …

As you may know from reading previous posts, I have participated in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure the past 3 years (Washington DC 2009, San Diego 2010, Philadelphia 2011). The 3-Day is an adventure beyond description. I always meet amazing friends, see many wonderful sites and discover that when I put my mind to something I can accomplish it, no matter what. I remember my first walk vividly… Washington DC. I didn’t train as much as I should and it showed! I wasn’t able to complete the entire 60 miles because of a pinched nerve in my foot, I walked nearly 21 miles on Friday, 10 miles on Saturday and the full 18 miles on Sunday. The last two miles I kept the mantra “Margaret, Jackie, Lilly” …

I am walking in memory of Margaret Kelly (my husband Colm’s mother), Elizabeth “Lilly” Crangle (Colm’s aunt) and Jackie Kelly McCann (Colm’s sister) three wonderful people whose lives were cut short by Breast Cancer. And I am walking for my five daughters in hopes that a cure will be found very soon. This event isn’t easy, but I wouldn’t be doing it if I didn’t believe 100% that it was worth every muscle ache and injury (tendinitis, plantar fasciitis, pinched nerve, oodles of blisters), weary nights in a little pink tent (too hot, high “are we going to wake up in Oz?” winds, pouring rain and way too cold—all over a two-night span!) and other interesting experiences that would be considered TMI to share here! Check out my slideshow from …

I’ve been meaning to post a recap of my walk in November, but the past two months have just been jam-packed with “stuff” and I finally forced myself to sit down and write something! I want to start off by saying how much I truly appreciate everyone’s support for my participation in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure. My San Diego walk was an incredible 60-mile journey and I have many wonderful memories. Memories I wouldn’t have without your generous donations. I managed to come through the walk with just a few minor injuries, sprained wrist and bruised and blistered toenails. I still bear the bruises under two of my toenails and a third nail happened to fall off last month. Yuck! But my feet held up rather …

Please visit my site to follow my progress and donate to the cause! www.the3day.org/goto/k8thegreat_2010 (the 2009 version has been disabled) to view the slideshow from the walk go here. Please support me as I take an amazing journey in the fight against breast cancer! The Breast Cancer 3-Day is a 60-mile walk over the course of three days. Net proceeds benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure and National Philanthropic Trust, funding important breast cancer research, education, screening, and treatment. I am walking in memory of Margaret Kelly (my husband Colm’s mother), Elizabeth “Lilly” Crangle (Colm’s aunt) and Jackie Kelly McCann (Colm’s sister) three wonderful people whose lives were cut short by Breast Cancer. Our story: Colm and I found out this past summer that his sister Jackie was a …