Avon Walk Chicago/Cadillac Drive for the Cause

On June 1-2, I will once again join 6 friends that comprise Team One More Mile in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in Chicago. This is an invitation to join me in the fight against breast cancer by making a donation to my fundraising efforts. No amount is too small! Seriously, the minimum donation on my website is $5 but if all you have is $1 or 25 cents even, Paypal me at megryansmom@sbcglobal.net and I'll transfer the funds to the Avon Walk myself.

I do this walk for so many reasons, because there are three million women in the United States living with breast cancer—and one third of them don’t even know it. Because no one knows what causes breast cancer or how it can be prevented or cured. And because I know too many people who have struggled with and been affected by this awful disease.

I'm required to raise a minimum of $1800 to participate in the walk and sadly I am not even close to that goal right now. Last year, with a lot of help from Cadillac, I was able to raise over $2500!

Here's another option, that won't cost you anything! Cadillac is back for the third year as a Premiere Sponsor of the Avon Walk Chicago and is thrilled to sponsor Drive for the Cause to support Chicago Avon Walkers.

On Saturday, April 13, and Saturday, April 20, 2013, come into any participating Cadillac dealer (bring your family and friends) for a test drive of any new Cadillac and I will receive a $25 donation from Cadillac for every person that gets behind the wheel. Just mention my participant number #341321 at the time of the test drive and the donation will be made directly to my account.

Limit one donation per person. Must be 18 years of age with a valid driver's license.

Participating dealers:

Barrington IL, Motor Werks
Bourbonnais IL, David Bruce Auto Center
Calumet City IL, Napleton Cadillac
Chicago IL, Grossinger City Autoplex
DeKalb IL, Sycamore Cadillac
Hodgkins IL, Ettleson Cadillac
Joliet IL, Bill Jacobs Cadillac I'll be here on the 20th, stop by and say Hi!
Libertyville IL, Weil Cadillac
Lincolnwood IL, Grossinger Autoplex
Lombard IL, Heritage Cadillac
Matteson IL, Arnie Bauer Cadillac
McHenry IL, Gary Lang Cadillac
Merrillville IN, Schepel Cadillac
Naperville IL, Cadillac of Naperville
Northbrook IL, Steve Foley Cadillac
Oak Lawn IL, Frank Shirey Cadillac
Schaumburg IL, Patrick Cadillac 

Thank you in advance for your support.

Why I'm Wearing My Robe and Jammies at #BBSUMMIT12

I'm sure you're all wondering, why on earth would this blogger come to a major conference dressed in pajamas, robe and slippers?  Well settle in, because I'm about to tell you.

A little over a year ago, I met Brandie at a get together for local bloggers.  As I chatted with someone to my right, I thought overheard Brandie mention that she had just been diagnosed with breast cancer.  I shook my head a bit and perked up my ears, because surely I had heard wrong.  She couldn't have possibly said she was just diagnosed with breast cancer, she was only 31 years old.  So I listened in disbelief and realized I hadn't misheard, Brandie indeed had stage IV breast cancer.  I was absolutely dumbfounded.  How is it possible that this young wife and mother of three could have breast cancer?  But that's just the thing, breast cancer doesn't skip over you because you've painted blood on your doorway.

Brandie's diagnosis really touched my heart. I've had a mammogram scare of my own a few years back and thankfully it was just lumpy boobs.  But this, it could have just as easily been one of my daughters.  Augie Dawg's maternal grandmother died from complications of breast cancer before she was born and her aunt is battling it right now.  Although I don't keep in touch with my ex's family, I have heard through the grapevine that his sister recently battled breast cancer and a maternal aunt of mine was diagnosed late in life as well.  This puts GlitterGurl at an increased risk too.  And frankly, that scares the living crap out of me. 

I prayed for Brandie.

And Brandie kicked cancer's ass!

She kicked cancer's ass so hard and so far, that one year later she signed up to walk with me on Team One More Mile in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer!

And that walk was amazing!

I won't lie, it was hard as hell!  Especially since I did something crazy to my foot while training.  Just the week before, I didn't think I'd be even able to walk 39 feet. Thanks to a wrap and some padding devised by my podiatrist I was able to walk 13 miles the first day and another 7 on day two.  And that walk was so inspiring, and so uplifting.  The energy created by the other walkers and all the supporters and volunteers, it was just an incredible experience.

But my hero, Brandie...she walked the entire 39.3 miles!

As Team One More Mile neared the finish line, we linked arms and started chanting "Brandie!  Brandie!  Brandie!"

We did it together!

We did it to end it!

And that memory will be etched in my heart forever!

But you're still wondering, what does that have to do with the robe and jammies?

Well, one of the requirements of walking was raising a minimum of $1800 in donations and despite my best efforts at fundraising, I was still coming up short.  So at the end of April I proposed this here crazy idea, and although I didn't actually get 100 individual donations as a result, I eventually did reach my $1800 goal and surpassed it by another $849!  Being the good sport that I am, I decided to keep my promise and here I am!  In my robe and jammies.  Do you like my matching slippers?

P.S.  I've already signed up for the Avon Walk for 2013 (315 days away!) and I've got another fundraising idea brewing!  I may even let the cat out of the bag at #BBSUMMIT12

P.P.S.  If' you're so inclined, please make a donation.  I would greatly appreciate your support.

P.P.P.S.  No donation amount is too small!