Walking for a Cause — AGM Solutions

It is the month of October, the leaves are turning, fall is upon us, and it is officially Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Time to put on our pink clothing and talk about breast cancer. Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women – except for skin cancers – and it accounts for 30% of the cancer diagnosis in women each year. According to the American Cancer Society, there is a 13% (about 1 in 8) chance a woman will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. The good news is the fatality rate of breast cancer has been steadily declining since 1989 due in large part to awareness and better treatment due to research.

Some great organizations are working to create a world without breast cancer, like the Susan G Komen Foundation. They have invested nearly $3.6 billion in more than 60 countries, helping with the fight against breast cancer. They can do amazing work in part by hosting large fundraising walks. Two years ago, when I participated in my second 3-day walk in San Diego, we raised $5.3 million, and doing this walk was truly a memorable experience. They call it the Pink Bubble.

I walked 60 miles over 3-days with 1,700 walkers and 350 crew volunteers. On day one, despite having to wake up at 4:00 AM, everyone you encounter has a happy attitude and an encouraging smile. We all cheered as our fellow walkers, who were breast cancer survivors, led us out onto the route. Seeing my mother and aunt walking amongst that pack was emotional. Over the next three days, the community showed up to cheer the walkers on. There was not a single mile where we didn’t have at least one person encouraging us. I met so many amazing people who have been doing these walks for years. On day two, I walked about 3 miles with a man who does the entire 60 miles in his full fireman suit, and this was his 4th walk that year. He got my mother, as a survivor, to sign his oxygen tank. At the closing ceremonies, we all raised 1 shoe in the air to salute the survivors as they were the last to walk in!

We had decided to walk two years ago to honor my mother becoming a survivor; however, that walk was such a life-changing experience that my mother and I decided that we were going to do it every two years, even if the only reason was to raise money for breast cancer! So I’m at it again. I will walk again in San Diego in my third Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk in November. I have already walked 120 miles over this summer for training. It was hard, but breast cancer is more challenging. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I invite you to join me in the fight against breast cancer. Your donation can help us work towards a future without breast cancer.

To join the cause and donate, click here.