A Day for Others

Today was the Susan G. Komen National Race for the Cure here in D.C. The weather forecast was for typical D.C. summer weather: hazy, hot and humid. Temperatures in the high 90s, heat index forecast for 110 degrees and heat advisories for most of this weekend and into next weekend.

At my school we have two breast cancer survivors: our guidance councilor (Kathy) and one of our 5th grade teachers (Ellen). Both of them are great women! Every year the school puts together a team to walk with them. I have not participated in years mostly due to my dislike of crowds, the crowded D.C. Metro system on race day and the typical heat in the area in June. This became compounded once I had Heather and Kailey. My interest in doing all of this with a stroller was even less. If I remember right, I did walk with Heather once when she was little... but I could be wrong. Despite all this, I did walk this year.

My main reason was because Ellis, Shannon's husband-to-be in 6 weeks, was walking. Shannon and Ellis walked last year with our school and a team of around 30 people. During the walk last year Ellis promised that he would return this year to walk with Dale City again even though Shannon wasn't going to be around. To keep him company, I decided I would go too. I was not, however, going to bring two children, push a double stroller, or ride Metro. So, I rode with someone from work who could park close to the Mall and took a single stroller and Kailey. Heather stayed at home with Bill.

Kailey was a perfect angel as we left our house at 5:45am this morning and continued the rest of the day. The walk started at 8:15 and we met everyone from school downtown at 7:45. Kailey spent lots of time saying, "No Heather!" and enjoyed the attention she got all on her own. It was a fun time to spend with just Mommy and Kailey.

We met up with Ellis in D.C., had a great, but very hot walk, and got to finish the race walking next to Kathy and Ellen in their pink survivor shirt, wearing medals around their necks. A hug from Kathy after she finished the race with tears in her eyes was a true enough sign that breast cancer is a continued threat that needs a cure. Ending the race with them along side us was worth the heat and lack of sleep.

I can't tell you how many people were there today; it was a ton! Some appeared in wheelchairs, some with scarves on there heads and others with signs and pictures of those who had died fighting cancer. I'm glad Ellis kept his promise and gave me a reason to be a part of a group that has helped to raise awareness for breast cancer, even if it was just for one day. The announcers at the end of the race said they hadn't seen so many 'pink shirt survivors' in the race. Maybe we are one step closer.