Friday, December 10, 2010

I did it!!

My dear friends,

Thank you so much for supporting me in raising money to fight Breast Cancer.  I raised $2,824 and I walked the 60 miles I promised you I would do. 

Let me give you a recap of the event.  I flew to San Diego with my husband, son and a friend the day before the walk.  I was ready to go Friday morning at the opening ceremonies at 6:30.  The first day was an overcast day, but very pleasant.  We walked along the ocean and through some beautiful areas north of San Diego.


There were people all along the route cheering the entire day and my family was at one of the cheering stations.  It really did make me happy to see them.  By the end of the day I was tired but no blisters!  I spent the night in my cute pink tent.  It was a bit cold and my air mattress lost all its air.

The second day started out cloudy but soon turned to rain.  The rest of the day was windy and wet, but we walked on. 




When we got to the camp it was very wet, some of the tents had flooded.



 I decided to spend the night in the hotel with my family.  
Oh, that bed felt so good.

 The third day started rainy but ended nice.  We walked up and down some steep hills all three days but the third day seemed to be the most. 



When the rain stopped the people lined the streets to cheer.  It was so amazing.  I felt great at the end of the day, tired but no blisters!


The closing ceremonies were inspiring and more than a few of us were crying.  We learned that 4000 people had participated and we had raised $10.6 million in San Diego.


The San Diego walk is the last walk of the year for the Susan G. Komen Walk for the Cure and all total for the year 29,040 people walked and $76.7 million dollars was raised. Part of that is what you gave. What an incredible group of people you all are!  You stepped up when I asked and I appreciate your support so much.

I am planning on walking again next year.  But I will tell you more about that later.  For now, I just wanted to tell you all THANK YOU!!


Cate

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Spectator Information for the San Diego 3-Day

Spectator Information
Before the Event
Getting ready for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure® is a big job. Here are some ways to support your participant before the big day arrives.
  • Write a letter expressing your love and support to your walker, which we’ll deliver to him/her on the event.
    Send letters to:
    3-Day for the Cure
    ATTN: INSERT NAME OF PARTICIPANT
    P.O. Box 721237
    San Diego, CA 92172

    Envelopes only, please. No boxes or large packages. Mail must be postmarked no later than November 9 in order to ensure delivery at the 3-Day for the Cure Camp Post Office. Please note: This address is not the actual location of camp, but a PO Box for mail delivery only. Any mail that is not postmarked by the date above or retrieved by the participant by December 5 will be destroyed.

Cheering Stations
Public cheering stations are a great way to show your support along the route to encourage walkers and let them know that you are with them every step of the way. Seeing familiar faces cheering them on can provide that extra burst of energy that gets them to take that next step or go the next mile. Create banners, hold up signs, bring some music and make some noise - anything to make them smile, get energized and keep walking.

Please note that only registered participants with a valid event credential should be walking on the 3-Day route and utilizing the 3-Day pit stops. We ask that all supporters and spectators gather at cheering stations in order to show their support, and do not walk the route or drive along the route. 

Friday, November 19
10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
UCSD Scripps Institute of Oceanography
8580 La Jolla Shores Drive
San Diego, CA 92037

12:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Taylor Library 4275 Cass Street
San Diego, CA 92109

Saturday, November 20
7:30 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.
Robb Field - South
2525 Bacon Street
San Diego, CA 92107

9:30 a.m. - 1:45 p.m.
Robb Field - North
2525 Bacon Street
San Diego, CA 92107

10:45 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.
South Mission
2600 Mission Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92109

Sunday, November 21
8:15 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.
San Diego Visitor Information
2688 E Mission Bay Dr.
San Diego, CA 92109

11:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Reuben H. Fleet Space Theater
2150 Park Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92101

On some portions of the route you may find some areas that are deemed “quiet zones” which will be indicated by signage on the route. Please assist us in respecting our neighborhoods and communities during this time.

Closing Ceremony
After three days and 60 miles, participants will take a final and incredibly emotional victory walk into the Closing ceremony. Friends, family and supporters should arrive at the Closing Ceremony site at least one hour early to get the best view of the program. We encourage you to carpool or take public transportation. Not only is it better for the planet, but it will help lessen traffic congestion for everyone.

All walkers and crew members should remain in the Participant Holding Area where they will receive a victory shirt, cheer on fellow walkers and crew members and celebrate one last time together before their dramatic victory walk. The Participant Holding Area is CLOSED to spectators. If you wish to meet with a participant before the Ceremony begins, please have them meet you at the Closing Ceremony site. All participants must return to the Holding Area no later than 4:00 p.m. in order to join the victory walk.

Don't forget to continue the spirit of kindness we'll be building on the 3-Daythroughout and beyond the Closing Ceremony!

Sunday, November 21
4:30 p.m.
Petco Park
100 Park Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92101

Friends and family are highly encouraged to attend, though please note that seating will not be available, so if you are unable to stand for 30-60 minutes, you may want to bring a folding chair.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

50

In a couple days I'll be 50!  Amazing huh?

I know what you are thinking: "Wow, I need to get Cate a gift."  But I don't need any gifts, I have everything I need; a wonderful husband, an awesome son, super friends, a great job - in short a wonderful life.  Yes, an excellent life. I'm alive.

I've made it to 50 and I'm hoping for another 50 - why not?  But there are many people who won't make it to 50 because cancer takes them. That's not right. I'm walking in the 3-Day to find a cure for cancer so more people can celebrate the big 5-0.

So here's what I want from you for my birthday.  Help me fight to give others the same chance, donate $50  in my name to the Breast Cancer 3-Day. That would be an excellent birthday present.

Thank you.
Cate

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Press On

I have this quote by Calvin Coolidge on my wall and read it frequently:


“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan "press on" has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race”


I live my life this way.

Cate

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Bonding

Being part of the SGK 3-Day for the Cure is more than raising money to fight cancer, it's a bonding experience.  I am part of a huge movement of incredible people who all have the same goal.  Save lives.

When I was training and then when I walked last year I heard so many stories.  Some were the same as mine: I am doing this because I can and everyone deserves a life time.  But others were harder to tell. But they shared them with me.  Each time I realized how lucky I was to meet this person, to become friends with someone else who cared, cared about the future enough to walk miles and miles, not just the 60 together but the hundreds of training miles.

I cry a lot normally - I wear my heart on my sleeve - so I cried a lot during the training walks and at the actual event (not big sobs just the tears that slip out of the corner of my eyes). But at the end of the walk when we held up our shoes I was crying with joy.  We had raised a lot of money, raised a lot of awareness and bonded with so many people.

Last week I went to a training walk and met some new amazing women, women who will walk hundreds of miles and raise thousands of dollars.  How amazing to be part of that.

Cate

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

I love technology

When I was growing up we had 5 exchange students.  Because of technology 35 years later I am still able to keep in touch with two of them.  It's amazing that I can just chat with Arlene or Regina,  I know what their kids are up to and they know about mine.  Arlene even donated to me for the 3Day, from Abu Dhabi!  Thank you Lu!!

I am so amazed at how easy it's becoming to stay in touch.

Take care,
Cate

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Walking together

Sunday I walked 7 miles with Jody and Shellie, my two walking partners.  Jody walked in the Chicago 3-day last year with me and Shell was going to but had other commitments that weekend.  So we've been walking and talking together for more than a year now.  It is amazing how we can find so much to talk about every time we walk.  I look forward to our time together every Sunday. 


Training and fund raising has me thinking about why I'm doing this.  I know we are losing my sister in law - she has ovarian cancer - to a different disease than breast cancer, but it feels like if I can help move research in one way forward maybe it will help research in all areas of cancer. 


I'm extremely grateful to the people that have already donated!  As I send out emails to people I get many replies that tell me they too have lost someone to cancer.  I'm thinking about how I can honor them in my walk.  Some people wear ribbons or shirts with the names.  I'll have to think about it some more.


Thanks for reading.


Cate

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

First Donations

I sent out emails to many of my contacts over the last couple days and I've already had 2 people donate!   Thank you Aunt Shirl and Chris.  You guys are awesome.

I haven't been doing much training.  Mostly because I'm so busy, I just need to set the time aside and do it.

Monday, April 5, 2010

2009 Chicago walk

Here I am at the end of the 2009 walk in Chicago.  It was an amazing experience.

Started fundraising

I'm starting to gear up for walking in November in San Diego.  I just started this weekend fundraising to get to $2,400.  I haven't joined a team yet, and I'm not sure if I will.  I love being part of a team but I know I can do this on my own and meet a lot of great people on the walk.