Today marked my second year participating in the fight to end breast cancer at the annual CIBC Run for the Cure. A good friend of mine was diagnosed with this horrendous disease when she was 21, and today we celebrate the reality that she is cancer free! But not everyone is as blessed as our friend, and it got me thinking. In one sense, our friends have fun writing inappropriate signs on our backs saying "I'm walking for... (insert odd pet name here)"... and yet we're walking amongst families, children, colleagues and friends who have lost those who are near for them. I almost hugged this one lady who wore a sign saying "I'm walking for myself... I was diagnosed 3 weeks ago". And I'll never forget the scene of walking behind a grandfather, son-in-law and grandson walking in honour of their passed daughter/wife/mother. Or the copious numbers of children walking for "Mommy" or the men walking for "My Wife".
My friends and I are blessed. Kristin survived. But the fight continues, and as we walk in celebration of her achievements, we remember that this isn't the end of the battle.
Having said all that, we decked our selves in pink, wore our "Save Second Base" team shirts, and rallied together as friends to support our friend, and a good cause. It's a fun event, and I'm definitely looking forward to next year's!
