Way to go, Chicago walkers! Chicago walkers raised over 11 MILLION dollars!

My particular story is not the one I expected to write on this home page...I was unable to take part in the walk because my father, Clarence Wemple, passed away the Tuesday before the walk began....and his funeral was on Friday, which was Day One of the Three Day event.

However, my teammates called me from mile 59 to tell me they were all finishing, having walked every step of the way. Today they have been telling me wonderful stories about the experience, from being wet and cold and very discouraged on Friday night, to finishing on Sunday, vowing to walk again next year. They said that every single person involved (walkers, crew members and bystanders) was upbeat and positive and friendly, and the walk could not have been more well organized.

The Bosom Buddies returned tired and aching, but today (Monday) they are so proud to have been a part of the Chicago walk. Our team raised more than $19,000.

So, while much of my own week was sad and difficult, The Bosom Buddies' success is something to smile about! Good job!

(The following is the start of my original homepage, started last January:)

I did it! After some hemming and hawing, I signed up to take part in the Avon Breast Cancer 3 Day Walk. (Last year I hemmed and hawed too long and it was too late when I finally decided to register...all the spots were filled) So, this year I'll be walking the 60 miles between Kenosha and Chicago with 7 friends on June 14, 15 and 16 in a fundraising effort sponsored by the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade.

Some alarming numbers - 182,800 U.S. women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer this year. That's 500 each day. Early detection is critical. More than 97% of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer at an early stage will survive for more than 5 years.

The mission of the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade is to fund access to care and find a cure for breast cancer. The goal is to benefit all women, with an emphasis on reaching the medically underserved, including low income, elderly and minority women and those with inadequate health insurance.

How does the 3 Day Walk help? Each walker (and there are over 7,000 of us in Chicago alone) has pledged to raise a minimum of $1,900. That's almost as scary a prospect for many of us as walking the 60 miles.

Mary, Susan, Kelly, Pam, Anni, Janni, Lynni and I are calling this an adventure....one for which we have 4.5 months to prepare. We have a training schedule which will help us get in shape for walking 20 miles a day for 3 days in a row. And that's after two nights of sleeping in sleeping bags and tents! Some of us are wondering if we are too old, too out of shape, or too scared to attempt this! (OK, maybe it was just ME who was wondering that.)

Please click on the links on this site for more info. You can read first-hand accounts of others who have done this in the previous 3 years these walks have been held. (www.pledgepage.com) Their stories are amazing, uplifting, funny and poignant and may bring a tear to your eyes.

Please click on the Diary to see how I'm progressing and sign the Guestbook to let me know you visited here, and PLEASE click on the Donation Page to help me reach the $1,900 I have committed to raise. Thank you!!