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Kenosha to Chicago June 15-17, 2001
The Avon Breast Cancer Crusade is a U.S. initiative launched in 1993 by Avon Products, Inc. The initial mission was to provide more women, particularly those who are medically underserved, with direct access to breast cancer education and early detection services, at little or no cost. From 1993 through 2000, the Avon Crusade has raised nearly million net, making Avon the largest corporate supporter of the breast cancer cause. The Chicago 2001 event raised over .6 million. I alone was able to raise about for the cause. I walked with a good friend of mine, Gina.
The walk began on Friday June 15th and concluded on Sunday June 17th. The experience was intense, both physically and emotionally.
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This is one of my favorite images
This is my good friend Hal. I took this picture on his birthday. I think he likes to be in pictures. |
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SATURDAY JUNE 16th- DAY 2
We woke about 4:45am and ate breakfast, pack our bags and took down the tent (no scouts this morning) before hitting the road again. I was a little sore from the miles on Friday but over all I was feeling good. There was not a cloud in the sky and it was already warm when we took off at 6:30am. This day’s route took us on another bike trail before we walked the streets of Skokie to get to camp 2. It was hot all day (80’s) and no shade to be found. Gina and I stopped at every pit stop to pee, eat, drink, and apply sunscreen, ice wounds and stretch. By mid afternoon we began wondering, “What are we doing this for?” Every time those thoughts passed through our minds we would pass a large group at a cheering station and it would remind us of the purpose of our pain. There were kids handing out gum and pocket angels, there was even a guy who gave a dollar coin to everyone thanking us for walking. We would pass women on the streets that would tell us they were survivors and that they appreciated what we were doing. It was really wonderful. We made it into camp (23.23 miles later) at about 3pm to find that once again we were passed over by the scouts. We had to set up our tent again. It remained hot until almost 6pm. Several people had to be taken to the hospital for dehydration. We were able to get in line for a massage, which made all the difference in the world. We then went to the podiatry tent. I had to get a blister looked at and Gina had a sore foot. Our age was beginning to show. We spent the rest of the night in our tent, too tired to move.
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THURSDAY JUNE 14th- DAY 0
Gina and I arrived in Kenosha around 10am to prepare to register for the event. We had to make sure that all our donations were in and all our forms had been signed. We were required to watch a safety video that explained the “rules” of the walk that would insure we finished alive. Then, off to tent assignment we went. After we were given our tent address (sec. D plot 42) and luggage tags we were free to go home. This whole process took about 3 hours. We spent the rest of the day relaxing and preparing for the big event.
www.bethepeople.com
FRIDAY JUNE 15th- DAY 1
Sam dropped us off in Kenosha about 6am and opening ceremonies began at 7am. The opening ceremonies reminded us why we were doing the walk and how it was going to benefit the world. A circle of survivors was used to represent all those who have survived the disease and held the memories of those who have not. There were many family and friends there to see us off as we took our first steps at 7:30am. The beginning of the walk was on a bike trail that led us from Kenosha into Illinois. There were several pit stops along the way (about every 1.5-2 miles) where we could stop for food and drink and use the port-a-johns. Some of the pits also had medical staff on hand to handle any aches and pains and blisters along the way. The weather was overcast and in the mid-70’s. We got rained on for about an hour in the afternoon but we were dry by the time we hit camp 1. I was amazed at how organized the event was. Anything you needed, they had. We walked the 18.87 miles in about 6.5 hours, stopping for lunch at mile 11. We were excited to reach camp but then realized that ours was one of the only tents not already set up. The Boy and Girl Scouts from the area came to the school and set up a lot of the tents so the walkers wouldn’t have to do it after walking all day. We took showers in the shower trucks that surprisingly had enough hot water for 3300+ people. We relaxed and ate our spaghetti dinner before hitting the sac. The sleeping left a little to be desired, not a soft bed like home. Zippers and port-a-john doors slamming could be heard all night.
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SUNDAY JUNE 17th- DAY 3
We decided to take our time this morning because we only had 11 miles to walk, which was a blessing because I could barely move. I took several Advil and we left on the day’s journey (a little slower) at about 7am. The route was on the lake front streets of Evanston and Chicago. There were more people out cheering us on today than the other days. Believe me, we needed it. We stopped at every rest area and relaxed with ice on our aches. We didn’t have to be at lunch (10 miles) until 1pm. We reached lunch by noon and we had to stay there until everyone arrived to walk our final mile together. We began that walk at about 2:30pm and with 3300 walkers it took along time. All along the path there were supporters cheering us on. The effect that a mile long line of walkers in support of breast cancer had was magnificent. Men at softball games and children at soccer games stopped and clapped. Now I realized why I had done this and why I will do it again! The closing ceremonies were very touching. The walkers enter first followed by the breast cancer survivors whom walked and finally the crew that catered to our every need for the three days. Two of the survivor walkers gave short speeches about their experience on the walk. One had just finished radiation only one week prior to the walk. It was truly amazing. Sam and Bill (Gina’s fiancé) were there welcoming
us home with a sign “ Welcome Home Gina and Keri…Love Sam and Bill”. It was very sweet. The only problem was that they were unable to find a close parking spot and we had to WALK to the car! The up side was, in the car was waiting two containers of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream.
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