As the walkers passed through the Victory tent, the crew received grey shirts, walkers got white and survivors, pink. My table was right next to where the survivors picked up their shirts. It was very hard not to be in tears all day.
One woman stopped for her shirt and her team had her pose for a photo. One second she was smiling and laughing and the next she was sobbing. They wrapped her in a group hug and they all cried together. I felt a bit like a voyeur. Even surrounded by thousands of people it was such an intimate moment.
I also got to be there when they announced that the last walker was about to come in. I saw her Saturday and honestly thought she was a homeless person taking advantage of the sweets and other things being passed out along the route.
The official statistics haven't come out but I heard there were between 4,500-5,000 walkers this year and they raised just over $11 million dollars.
These ladies were not allowed to walk since they are currently undergoing their chemo treatments. They are both in their 20's.
Way to go mom! You rock!
Read about the other two days of the walk: Day 1, Day 2
How fabulous. Those are wonderful pictures. I am thinking of doing this next year and you and your mom have inspired me.
ReplyDeleteYour mother is a total Rock Star!
ReplyDeleteI just read all three posts on the walk. Amazing! I knew the women camped, but had no idea it's like the way it is (pink tents, main street, doctors, massages). What a community. And all the people along the way! Your mom should be so proud of her participation. And you, too. Maybe next year I'll volunteer and be part of such an amazing experience.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos and tears in my eyes. My motherinlaw is a survivor which somehow I forget in the wake of the brain tumor, the parkinsons, the traumatic brain injury fall. But I do remember the courage with which she faced the Beast 15 years ago. And she did it for her grandchildren to come....some women are darned powerful...thanks for sharing and for volunteering!
ReplyDeleteI think you both rock.
ReplyDeleteTGND - Seeing all the survivors was great, but I can't wait for the day when everyone is a survivor because there's a cure.
ReplyDeleteWow, that sounds like such an awesome experience. I love the photo of your mom tending to her blisters and drinking wine.
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