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How important
can a dog be?
Find out at:
ScruffyTheLegend.com
Now available on
Amazon.com
Shameless plug for my husband's book about our dog
Scruffy. If you have ever had a pet who was an integral part of your
life, you will be able to relate to this story. It is the account of a
guy and his dog and the unbreakable bond between them.
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RECAP OF 2009 AVON WALK FOR BREAST CANCER
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This year is the first year I did not walk in the Avon Walk for Breast
Cancer. Instead, I participated as a crew member – one of the event
photographers at the Boston, New York and Charlotte walks. It was a
truly awesome experience. For each event, I was given a sign for my
truck windshield which read “Press” and a button to wear reading “Photo
Crew”. As I walked around, I asked people to smile while I took their
pictures. There wasn’t a single person who said, “No”. Most people
were more than happy to mug for the camera, others smiled shyly.
 My
favorite subjects are people who came out to cheer for the walkers.
These people take time out of their day on either Saturday or Sunday to
stand along the route and encourage the walkers. Some bring homemade
signs. Others wear pink and wave pompoms. Some even dress up their
dogs with a pink bow. In each city, there are impromptu cheering
stations along the walk route.
The group in this photo were from a local radiology center in
Charlotte. Seven of the eight people were dressed in pink and one was
in white representing the one in eight people who are diagnosed with
breast cancer.
I was able to view the walk from a different perspective this year.
In the past, when I walked the route, I saw the backs of the walkers
ahead of me. Many walkers wear signs on their backs which explain why
they walk. It might be for a mother who has passed away from breast
cancer, a friend who is a survivor, or for themselves. One time I was
behind a guy who was pushing a stroller with a young child. On his back
was a sign which included a woman’s picture and the words “For my wife,
I miss you” and the birth and death years. That is one of the most
poignant memories I have of the walk.
 At
each of the closing ceremonies, I had the opportunity to be up on stage
to photograph the crowd. It is really fascinating to watch the play of
emotions across the faces of the people. They are all smiles as they
stride into the barricaded area in front of the stage. First the
walkers come in on the left and right sides. Then, the survivors
wearing their light pink t-shirts and waving white pompoms come in.
They are followed by the youth crew in their yellow sweatshirts. Behind
them comes the crew members in their blue crew shirts and costumes.
Many of the rest stop crews choose themes for their stops and dress up
accordingly.
During the speeches, the crowd becomes subdued, listening to the
personal story of one of the walkers. A video is shown, during which
many of the people start to cry as they are reminded of loved ones who
have been touched by cancer. Finally, the crowd comes together, clasping
hands and cheering as they celebrate their accomplishments of raising
awareness, money and completing the walk.
Over the 3 walks this year, I took 5,400 photos! Quite amazing, if
you ask me. I have posted them on my
Flickr account. Some of the photos made it to the AvonWalk.org
website:
Boston,
New York, and
Charlotte (my photos have the file name DSC_xxxx).
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WHY I WALK
People ask me why I walk, and raise money, and am so involved with
the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. To understand, watch this short
video I made and look at the pictures of the youth crew members in
their bright yellow sweatshirts. The tears they shed are for mothers who
have died from breast cancer. One of them said at the evening activity
at the Boston walk, she wishes she could have a hug from her mother.
Need I say more as to why I do this?
Money from the Avon
Walk supports many organizations that help women coping with cancer
right now. Including support for more than 95 “safety net” hospitals
that treat the medically underserved, offering unique and vital Patient
Navigator programs and state-of-the-art diagnostic
equipment.
The Avon Foundation has helped more than 1,000,000 women in the U.S.
receive a mammogram. More than two-thirds of these women were uninsured,
and more than half were from minority populations.
Giving up just one venti latte or bringing a brown bag lunch one day a week would
allow you to donate up to $20 in a month ! Please considering
helping women with breast cancer by making a
secure
online donation through the Avon Foundation website.
VISIT MY BLOG
Follow along as I prepare for the walk. Posts include
information about training, fundraising and general musings on
life. Learn about the newest members of our household - Charlie
the Keeshond, Ruby the Beagle and Chicken the cat. www.amberstang.wordpress.com
FUNDRAISING STRATEGIES
Fundraising is an important part of the Avon Walk. The money
raised goes to support many important initiatives. Over the years, I have
tried a number of different strategies to raise money. I've
included a list on my blog. amberstang.wordpress.com
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THINKING ABOUT WALKING THIS YEAR? |
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Want to spend one of the most amazing weekends of your life ?
Consider signing up to walk in one of the nine cities: Houston,
Washington DC, Boston, Chicago, Rocky Mountains, San Francisco, Los
Angels, New York or Charlotte. Visit the
Avon Walk website
for more information.
Having walked the 39.3 miles Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in New York
City the past 3 years, I have learned a few tips and tricks. So if you
are considering walking this year, learn about preventing blisters, staying hydrated and
dealing with swollen hands.
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WATCH VIDEOS FROM PREVIOUS EVENTS |
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DON'T LET CANCER STEAL SECOND BASE T-SHIRTS |
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Show your support by wearing a "Don't let cancer steal second base"
t-shirt.
Just 6 XL shirts remain. I will
not be reordering the shirts for this year's walk, so get yours before
they're gone.
Stylish black with white lettering and pink
ribbon. Shirts are 50% cotton/50% poly for easy no shrink wear and
care.
View
larger photo.
$10 per shirt. Click here
to order yours today.
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BOOKMARK THIS PAGE
Make an online donation
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CURRENT DONATION LEVEL
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 Thank
you for helping me exceed my goal for 2009: $4,500.
There is still time to donate. Every dollar helps a woman with
breast cancer.
Make an
online donation through
the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer secure website or
contact me
to find out how to make a donation by check.
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MONEY FROM CLICKING
ON ADS BELOW WILL BE DONATED TO MY WALK
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IN MEMORY OF MY GRANDMOTHER
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In the late 1970's, my maternal grandmother was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. At that time, treatment options were
very limited.
She was able to
bravely fight the disease for a short time with the aid of strong
pain killers.
I am walking in
her memory and with the hope a cure can be found soon so others will
be able to have their grandmother around to cry at their wedding.
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WHY AM I WALKING ?
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For a friend who died at age 36 of breast cancer.
For my maternal grandmother who died of breast cancer.
For 2 friends who were diagnosed with breast cancer and are survivors.
For numerous colleagues who were diagnosed with breast cancer.
So no one else will have to hear "You have cancer".
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AVON WALK PSA
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Jeremy created this public service announcement for my first Avon
Walk in 2006.
Watch video.
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Avon Walk 2008 Recap
