2010 Avon Walk for Breast Cancer – Washington DC

This year’s Avon Walk for Breast Cancer Washington DC is over. Together we raised over $6.5 million dollars to support the fight against this horrible disease. Thank you, thank you to my over 800 donors and all who supported me for this Avon Walk for Breast Cancer!!!! To my friends who traveled from out of town to share the experience with me (some I knew were coming and others were a HUGE surprise), I thank you!

This was by far my most physically challenging walk of all 11 (well except for my first when I ended up in the hospital from heat exhaustion). It’s now 2 days later and I am still physically recovering. After a very cool training season, we walked in temps around 88 degrees with very high humidity. The weather took it’s toll on many of us. Despite all that, my spirits are high and I am so inspired by the entire weekend.

My goal was to walk the half marathon each day, 13 miles on Saturday and 13 on Sunday. I met many, many amazing and inspiring people along the way. I was honored to share the trail with over 200 survivors, including a 20+ year survivor. I shared the trail with those who are battling breast cancer right now and those who have lost loved ones.

On Sunday I stopped at mile 7. This was a very difficult decision for me (a stubborn and determined person) but it was the RIGHT thing to do. You MUST listen to your body! I believe that if I had walked much further, I may have ended up in the hospital. I was hydrating and doing all the things one is supposed to do, but sometimes the weather and your body has other plans for you. Initially after stopping my trek I wanted to be dropped off at lunch, mile 11; but quickly realized I was done for the day. I also knew I would be speaking at the closing and wanted to make sure I was ready.

We went directly to the Washington Monument where the closing ceremony would take place. I visited the med tent to make sure my vitals were good and they were. I caught up with my dear friend and fellow walker, Mary Newell, to walk into closing together! It was emotional, as always.

After getting our commemorative walk shirts we sat near the end of the route to cheer on walkers and crew as they approached the balloon archway that concludes the official walk.

When my team, the Seneca Sisters approached, I joined them to walk the final steps of the weekend. This is an amazing group of walkers that have been a team since 2000! They are so supportive and just wonderful people. This year we had our first male member of the team and he was awesome doing all 39 miles!

I was honored this year to be chosen to speak at both Opening and Closing Ceremonies. Out of over 3,500 walkers and crew members, I was one of 5 to speak at the opening and the featured speaker at closing. These are memories I will treasure for a lifetime.

We are working on getting videos loaded for the full opening and closing ceremonies as well as many photos, but for now, you can see my talk at Closing Ceremony. Words can not describe how special it was to share my story in our Nation’s Capital, at the foot of the Washington Monument.

Join me on my new Facebook Page: Deb Fights Breast Cancer!