I recently had a wonderful opportunity to participate in the Avon Three Day Breast Cancer Walk (60 miles) from San Jose to San Francisco. It was an incredibly moving experience and event with 4,500 participants and 450 volunteers. There were moms, dads, daughters and sons, siblings friends and survivors. Everyone there in some way had their lives touched by someone with breast cancer. The goal? “To kiss this disease goodbye!”

Included in my thoughts here are excerpts from an article written by my sister-in-law Susan Sacks which was the featured article in the first daily newsletter. Susie was one of the seven survivors who formed the Circle of Survivors at the opening and the closing ceremony to represent breast cancer survivors everywhere. One of the seven women had signed up for the walk 3 months ago, was subsequently diagnosed with breast cancer, had two sessions of chemo prior to the walk, yet was still on the walk. It was such a moving experience in so many ways. The support, the community, the spirit of volunteerism and the organizational efforts were phenomenal. Just going through the food line brought tears to my eyes with the spirit of volunteerism. The awesome sight of 2500 blue tents in the middle of Bay View Meadows Race Track at night was almost spiritual.

There were some basis ground rules of the Walk. The first rule was “No Whining”. The second rule was “No Whining”. The third rule was “No Whining”. What a great concept that works, and is certainly transferable to all aspects of life and of course to WCR at all levels. Another ground rule was the spirit of kindness. Everyone had to be kind, be nice and do good things for one another the entire three days. The spirit of kindness and the desire of everyone to make sure everyone succeeded in this venture was so incredible. The sense of team work from a team of one to the entire 4400 participants was powerful. Achieving a goal by one step at a time (literally and figuratively) was very evident. If someone needed assistance or to take the van for part of the way there was support there when needed. The important concept of “stay alert stay alive” was another basic prevalent theme for everyone’s safety.

Why do I share this with you? For several reasons. The spirit of community within all the “participants” or members of WCR is something that is such an intangible aspect and benefit of WCR. One of the ground rules of the Walk was that and the sense that we can accomplish anything we chose to do as is the same within WCR. The spirit of kindness, support and caring for one another is also a prevalent and integral theme of WCR. I love the concept of “No Whining” and perhaps we should remember this more often in WCR and in our daily lives. Achieving goals one step at a time with enthusiasm is essential. Each step that a member takes is another step closer to WCR’s continuing on in its effective role in the development of personal and professional skills for the members.

Susie’s article is as follows:

WALKING THE TALK
Susan Sacks, Ph.D.

I have a Ph.D. in Biostatistics (statistics for medical research) and have worked in the field of epidemiology for many many years – 15 years at UC (Berkeley and UCSF) and the past 17 years at a pharmaceutical company. As part of my professional life, I had studied the epidemiology of breast cancer; as a woman, I had always had an interest (and concern) about the disease. I taught medical students for many years at UCSF and have always loved to teach. I was delighted when I was contacted in early 1995, by the National Breast Cancer Coalition to participate as faculty for their first-ever Project LEAD course.

LEAD stands for Leadership, Education, Advocacy, Development. Now that many breast cancer advocates are sitting on scientific review committees at all levels, it is important for them to understand the way in which medical research is conducted as well as the science of the disease. That is the purpose of the 3 ½ -day Project LEAD course. The first Project LEAD was to be held in June 1995 in Los Angeles, and I was looking forward to teaching in the course. Then I was diagnosed with breast cancer just before Memorial Day, 1995. I had to call the course organizer to tell them that I couldn’t participate because I was going to be undergoing my own treatment for breast cancer.

As it turns out, they asked me to participate in the second Project LEAD, which was in July 1995 in Minneapolis – after my mastectomy and during my chemo – and I was very happy to do so! Since then, I have served as faculty for several Project LEADs, and it continues to be one of the most rewarding experiences in my life. The women (and men) who attend are an amazing group of people – as are the people I have met who serve as faculty with me. I look forward to participating in the courses and believe that I get more from the participants than I give to them (although I do hope that they’re learning some of the epidemiology that I try to teach them)!

I think it is the energy that I’ve gotten from being at these courses that motivated me to sign up for the 3-Day. Once I signed up, I checked out the Avon Foundation’s website and saw the research organizations that benefit from the money that’s raised – and I know from my professional life that these are top quality research organizations. Having worked in medical research for over thirty years, I also know how important research support is to these organizations. So I decided to go for it – write my letter, raise my money, do the 3-Day.

I have to say that one of the most gratifying things of all has been the tremendous support that my family and my friends have provided to me. Every time I opened up a letter with a contribution toward my participation in the walk, I would be amazed at the generosity of all of these people. There is no way that I will let them down.

The leadership team looks forward to seeing all of you in October in Long Beach. It will be a fabulous meeting with a wonderful Leadership Forum starting on Sunday, excellent educational session with well renowned Lorna Hines on Monday, followed by elections, and then a wonderful Harbor Cruise organized by the Long Beach/South Bay Chapter. Tuesday will be a great talk by CAR legal counsel Gov Hutchinson followed by Tech. Tuesday. The meetings will be dynamic and we encourage all the local chapters to really encourage as many members as possible to attend.

Remember the value is in participating, and doing one step at a time!

Warmest regards to all,

Betty Taisch, CRS, LTG, SRES

2002 WCR State Chapter President