jillianduch
... you know, besides the obvious: raising money for breast cancer research and education.

It's just 8 weeks until I walk 60 miles (hopefully) around Washington, D.C., as part of the Breast Cancer 3-Day. I love hearing the survivor/dedication stories from other walkers, but I always feel a little weird when I don't have a story to return. No one close to me has suffered this disease, which, really, is a good thing. I don't have any kids, so I can't really say I'm walking so my daughters won't know a world with breast cancer.

But, one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetimes, so I know there are plenty of survivors and family members out there. If you're one of them, shoot me an e-mail at jillianduch@hotmail.com, and let me dedicate my walk to you.
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8 Responses
  1. Anne Marie Says:

    My mom lost her battle this past April...we've had people walk in Cleveland and Chicago this year...but a walker in DC couldn't hurt!

    For MBQD 1960-2009


  2. Unknown Says:

    My sister Debbie passed away 10 years ago leaving what was to be an amazing future with her husband and two kids. She was one of the people waiting for Herceptin but just didn't get it in time. Although this saddens the family we look at how far science has come and those that are surviving because of Herceptin. Debbie has taught us to never give up hope and that we are now her voice and will continue this battle for her. Thank you for walking. Thank you for being the voice of the past and of the future!! Good Luck!!!


  3. Anonymous Says:

    One of the reasons that I started walking is for my friend Linda Jacobs. She lost her battle against breast cancer at age 50. She left behind 10 beautiful children - the youngest 3 are triplet girls who are a year younger than my daughter (they are 10 now - almost 3 years since her death). I also walk because I am so glad I can! My Mom was paralyzed in a car accident 32 years ago - so walking means alot to me - I am grateful that I can still walk - she was 46 when she lost the ability to walk and I am 47 1/2 now.
    p.s. - Chai Latte is also my drink of choice : )


  4. Kristin Says:

    This was my third year walking. The first year I walked for my mom who lost her battle with breast cancer 12 years ago. Last year I walked for my daughter, named in Mom's memory, so she will never have to see her loved ones sticken. This year I walked for me. No, I do not have breast cancer and I am not a survivor. But this year the journey was personal. Ironically, this year was the most open for me personally as well, I met more people than ever before and embraced the entire event more fully. Though you have not been directly touched by breast cancer this walk can still be yours on a very personal level. Thank you for walking, let's hope one day soon we can all hang up our sneakers for good!


  5. Terje Says:

    I'm like you. Walking for people with names feels so much more tangeable than walking for the millions of un-named men and women who have received and will receive cancer diagnoses and treatment.

    Ask your donors to share the name of a person in their life who has been affected by cancer and promise to walk for that person.

    I have pink ribbons made from card stock that I have laminated. Each one has the name of a donor written with a Sharpie pen along with the person for whom they are donating. Several donated for me as I am a four-time cancer survivor. Many donate in honor of or in memory of someone close to them. The pink ribbons are on a ring and hang from my pack. They have been there since my walk training started six months ago. People ask about the ribbons and that gives me a reason to recall all of the people living with cancer who have touched the lives of my friends and family.

    Good luck on your walk! I'll be thinking of you on my walk in Denver, just two weeks away.


  6. This is my 3rd 3 Day. I began walking in Seattle the year after my mother-in-law, Suzanne, was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was a newlywed and didn't know her well at all. Walking was my way of supporting her and my husband's family. The 3 Day has become a part of who I am. I love and hate it all at the same time. I love that so many women (and even some men) have a place to come together and support eachother in the fight against breast cancer. I hate that there is a reason for us to walk in the first place. Good luck to you in DC. I'll be cheering for you from Seattle!


  7. Venice Says:

    I've been doing different walks that raise money for Breast Cancer Research for about 9 years now. This year I will not be able to make it because I will about over 6 months pregnant, and my doctor said she probably won't clear me. My first year doing the Breast Cancer 3-Day was on September 2008 in San Francisco.

    No one in my family had any history of Breast Cancer. Until one of my older sisters was diagnosed with it.

    I walk in memory of my older sister, Richelle, who was diagnosed with Breast Cancer at the age age of 26, and passed away on December 2004 a few months after her 32nd birthday. She outlived the numbers her doctor told her when it spread from her breast to her spine. Then we she went into remission for a few months only to find out that the cancer had spread to her liver. The doctors told her she only had 6 months to live, and she fought it for 2 years.

    I had fast forwarded my wedding so all my sisters could be standing by me when I got married. She stood there by my side in the heat (when she wasn't feeling well), and when offered to give her a chair to sit down, all she said, "I don't want to take away the attention from Venice. It's her special day." So, she stood there smiled throughout the ceremony, and no one new she was ever in any pain. She took pictures with us and came in for the reception, but didn't stay long.

    A month after my wedding, she was in the hospital. We spent most of November in the hospital. We took over the waiting room prety much every day. Doctors told us she wouldn't make it pass Thanksgiving, and once again she proved them wrong. We had Thanksgiving with her and other families who's loved one was also had cancer.

    She was a fighter till the vary end, when she fell into a coma. We all told her it was okay for her to go on, and not to suffer anymore.
    She passed away December 3rd, 2004.

    I didn't hear about the 3-Day till the year 2008, and boy did I have such a great time. So, many wonderful people that never knew you cheering you on and helping you make it through those 60 miles.

    I am very sadden I won't be able to do it this year, and so I would like it if you can dedicate this walk in honor of my sister, Richelle.

    I don't only walk for in memory of my sister, I walked in memory of others who have lost someone to Breast Cancer, and for those who have survived.

    I walk so no one ever has to loose a love one to Breast Cancer!

    I will return next year in 2010!!!

    -Venice from San Francisco, CA


  8. Venice Says:

    Sorry for all the typos.