Breast Cancer Awareness Month | Shield HealthCare October 2012
Special thanks to employee, Helynn Rueda who shared her personal experience and inspiration, as a participant of the Susan G. Komen 3-day walk to erase breast cancer.
“There are basically two types of people on this earth, those who have a pair and those who love a good pair. I’m not talking about a comfortable pair of walking shoes here, I’m talking about Breasts. I needed a good pair of the former however because I took the challenge and participated in the Susan G. Komen 3-day, sixty mile walk in San Francisco September 7-9.
In March my cherished step-daughter, Dayna, announced that she had committed herself to raise funds for the fight against breast cancer by signing up for the Susan G. Komen 3-day walk. It was something she had always wanted to do but didn’t sign-up until a family member was diagnosed. Dayna invited me to walk with her and I thought about it for a long time. I was reluctant to commit; could I do it? Should I do it? Would I do it? In May a dear friend of mine was diagnosed. In her words “Well, as I was busy minding my own business and just doing what I do I was reminded that I needed a mammogram. I was just diagnosed with breast cancer.” She had no family history of breast cancer and a statistically small chance of getting it, so much for statistics. I now had my answer. I could do it! I should do it! I would do it! Many of my co-workers contributed to my fundraising efforts and Shield HealthCare provided a generous matching donation. Thank you everyone from the bottom of my heart.
The weather was perfect for all three days, and we camped each night on Treasure Island taking ferry boats back and forth from the island in the middle of San Francisco Bay. The route passed through some of the most beautiful streets and neighborhoods the Bay Area has to offer. The first day we walked through Sausalito, across the Golden Gate Bridge and through the Marina district to Fisherman’s Wharf. On day two we walked in the Berkeley Hills where we were gifted with sweeping views of The City, the Bay and Golden Gate and Bay Bridges. We later walked through the UC Berkeley campus (Go Bears!) and stopped at the famous Peoples Park for a rest break. Day three was reserved for an incredible walk throughout San Francisco. On this day we covered coastal trails that took us under the Golden Gate Bridge, through a pine tree forest, to Ocean Beach and then wove through Golden Gate Park. The day ended with a powerful closing ceremony with San Francisco City Hall as a backdrop.
I can honestly say I am a different person after having participated in the walk. It caused me to push myself beyond comfortable limits put forth by my body. I met amazing people, all with a story to tell as to what motivated them to walk. I deepened the bond with my step-daughter as we pushed through this challenge together. If you’ve ever wondered about the walk, I encourage you to commit it is amazing!!!!!”
To learn more about how to get involved in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day, visit http://www.the3day.org/site/PageServer
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