My Update: 2 Weeks to go!

It’s October and I’m only two weeks away from walking 60 miles over 3-Days in the fight against Breast Cancer! I am getting excited as I have been training and fundraising all year for this incredible journey. The 3-Day is like no other experience I have ever been a part of and I am unable to find the words to express to you just how life changing these 3 Days can be. I will do my best to take notes and pictures along the way and share them on my blog when my journey is complete.

October is a special month as its Breast Cancer Awareness Month and there is pink all over the place! I know that we are making a difference as the American Cancer Society reports that deaths from Breast Cancer are down 34% since 1990. Make sure to tell your mother, wife, sister, friend and co-workers to get their mammograms and screenings. Early detection saves lives! And while you are at it, tell your father, husband, brother, friend and co-workers to get cancer screenings as well. Don’t leave anyone out as Cancer can affect us all.

I also wanted to update you on my 26.2 Challenge of which I came up short so no marathon for me next year unless I convince myself otherwiseJ My goal this year is to raise $5,000 and I am currently $1,535 away. If you would like to donate it’s not too late and I would greatly appreciate it. Also I love to know the names of persons who are in the fight that I can honor when I walk or that I can walk in memory of. Please send them my way as they are the true heroes in the fight against cancer!

Thanks again to everyone for your donations and moral support. Cancer isn’t going to let up and neither are we. We will keep standing up to Cancer taking one step at a time until we find a cure!

To  DONATE

26.2 Days, $2,620 for 26.2 Miles

DONATE NOW

I know many of you have wondered if I dropped off the face of the earth as you haven’t heard from me and I haven’t updated my blog in eons.  I promise I have been busy fundraising and training so that I can participate and walk 6 days and 120 miles in November in the fight against cancer.  Yes that’s right you read correctly. I will be walking 3 days and 60 Miles in Dallas Nov. 1-3 and then two weeks later will be heading to San Diego to walk 3 days and 60 Miles of hills Nov. 15-17. When it comes to fighting cancer I will continue to do what it takes to raise funds and awareness no matter the personal challenge.

This brings me to a challenge I have for each of you! I once said I would never run a marathon (26.2 miles). How does the saying go….Never say Never! Today is Sept. 3rd and there are 26.2 days left in the month. Here’s my challenge to you, if my friends, family and co-workers donate a total of $2,620 over 26.2 days then I will put on my running shoes and train to run 26.2 miles in the fight against cancer. This will be my biggest challenge to date and is a huge undertaking as I have previously only run 13.1 miles.

This challenge however doesn’t even begin to measure up to those that get out of bed every day and look cancer in the face. They continue to fight no matter what it takes and they will never give up.  I too will never give up and am going to keep doing what I do to make a difference. This past year I have lost additional friends and had more family members diagnosed with cancer. I’m sick of cancer and I know many of you are too. Help me make a difference, together we will find a cure!

Until there is a Cure!

Catrina Gibson

J&S4EVER

Click HERE to check how close I am!

3 days and 60 miles closer!

Thank you to each and every one of you for making my 7th 3-Day a success. It’s been a little over a week now and I’m still searching for just the right words to sum up my recent journey. I’m at a loss for words.

This year, in particular, I feel like I have been touched by so many other walkers, teammates and friends. They tell me I inspire them but the truth is they are the ones that inspire me:

To our adopted team, Lindi, Lani and Jill, three sisters walking for their mom, there is no doubt in my mind that your mom is well on her way to being cancer free. Your team name says it all, “Fight like a Girl.” You girls are fighting and I am blessed to have met you.

To our other adopted team, the Cowtown Crusaders, Shelly, Cheryl and Holly. It was a joy having you on training walks and hanging out with us at camp. Your spirit and joy are with me to this day. You can walk with me anytime!


To Laura, a walker who set a goal and accomplished it even when her teammates backed out, you are an inspiration to anyone that ever wanted to quit. It takes a lot of drive and determination to not only fundraise on your own but to show up at the 3-day not knowing anyone and head out to walk 60 miles. You have a team now and we won’t leave you walking alone!


To Eric, the gentlemen that recognized me in the dark as the lady who gave a packing demonstration back in September. I am glad to have met you and it meant the world to me to know that I made a difference to you! I am inspired by your energy and efforts in getting your employees involved for 2013.

To Martha, you’ve been on so many training walks with us that I already felt you were part of the team but I’m overflowing with joy that you are now officially a Pink Sole for 2013.

To George, Karen and Jennifer, George you met two great ladies in Karen and Jennifer and I’m glad they pulled you into our family.

To Colleen, so blessed to have met you and all the way in Castle Rock, Co. Let this be a lesson to everyone, when you travel use the 3-Day friend finder and find a friend to walk with. Hope you are back in 2013.

To Terri and Ali, a mother and daughter (age 17), I don’t even know where to begin. Ali is such a role model and has accomplished so much at her young age. Terri, I know it’s because of the mother you are that Ali is such an awesome young lady. I don’t know how you find time to take care of all your kids, hubby and find time to train and fundraise.


To all my teammates, thank you for being with me every step of the way in training, fundraising and in life. You aren’t just teammates you are family and I treasure you all.


And last but not least, THANK YOU to those of you that came out to cheer me on, that sent me cards, donated and prayed for me. I cannot take this journey year after year without you.


Together we make a difference. Together we will find a cure!!!

Until there is a Cure!

Catrina Gibson

Pink Soles in Motion
www.pinksolesinmotion.org
J&S4EVER

www.forallyoudid.com

Another Year Older

On this day I find myself another year older and another year wiser. What? No, that doesn’t sound right. I think maybe I’m another year older and sillier! Yep, that sounds better!

I took a look back over the year and here is what I’ve been up to:

Walked, ran and trained almost 600 miles according to my trusty Garmin Watch

Volunteered for the Boston Marathon and raised funds for Dana Farber Cancer Institute

Cheered on runners and walkers at the Rock n Roll Half Marathon benefiting Susan G. Komen

Sold Pampered Chef

Painted with a Twist

Sold Tamales

Had a yard sale

Worked and helped organize Pink Soles in Motion Golf Tournament

Worked and help organize Pink Soles in Motion BBQ Cook-Off

Worked and chaired Pink Soles in Motion 5K in the Park

Worked at Texas Motor Speedway selling concessions for a Nascar Race

Worked 7 very hot Rough Riders Baseball games selling concessions

Sold Raffle tickets for chance to win tickets behind Home plate for a Texas Rangers Baseball game

Helped to set up Pink Soles in Motion as a non-profit organization and now serve on the board

Volunteered as a Pink Soles in Motion Team Captain for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day

Volunteered on the weekends as a Training walk leader for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day

Cleaned Pink Soles in Motion’s adopted street in Coppell, TX

Volunteered to assist at Susan G. Komen 3-Day Event Prep Seminars

Volunteered as the Web Master (I use that term loosely) for pinksolesinmotion.org

Supported and attended numerous individual fundraising events put on by fellow teammates

You might be thinking, “Wow, is she looking for a pat on the back?”  The answer is NO! What I am trying to show is that I’m willing to do anything and everything I can to raise awareness and funds in the fight against cancer. I, however, can only do so much and that is where you come in.

As I celebrate another birthday today, I’m hoping that you will be able to give me the best birthday present I could ever want and help me reach my goal of raising $8,000 this year. The 3-Day is just a few weeks away and I’m really close!

How amazing would it be if the dollar you give is the one that finds the Cure!!

Until there is a Cure!

Catrina Gibson

J&S4EVER

www.forallyoudid.com

Inspiration for Friday!

I received a donation that brought tears to my eyes today. It just goes to show you that there are peoples live you touch that you may never meet. Just share your story and talk to other people and walkers. We are all an inspiration to the world and we are making a difference 1 step at a time.

I met a girl on the 2010 3-day. We were walking along and there she was walking by herself. I started a conversation and found out she was walking for her mom that she had just lost in August. Her mom was suppose to be there cheering her on but was there in spirit instead. The girl was finishing up college, had just gotten married (so her mom could be there) and they moved in with her dad to help him out. I had told her she had to come to Dance Party that night and if she didn't show up I was going to her tent to get her. And that's what I did but she wasn't there. Good thing her next door neighbors told her I came for her. She showed up at Dance Party!!! I thought that might be the last time I saw her as the 3-day is a big place but nope, I ran into her the next day at the first pit stop and then again at closing ceremonies. I keep up with her now and then and invite her to our fundraisers. I won't ever forget her or the 2010 3-day as that's my biggest memory. She touched my life forever.

Keep up your hard work training, fundraising and sharing your story, the big weekend is fast approaching.

Note on the donation I received today from friend’s twin sister today:

You met/walked with my twin sister at the 2010 3-Day. She forwarded me your donation request a few months ago and I finally took the time to read it and am glad I did! You're amazing and inspiring. Thank you for walking and best wishes :)

Email that my friend had sent to her friends and family:

Hello All,

The email below was sent to me from a friend I met in 2010 while doing the Susan G Komen 3-Day Walk. I met her one day while walking the 17mile route by myself. I just so happened to walk into her group of walkers and she immediately started talking to me asking about my “story” and why I was at the 3Day. The event itself is such a challenge and its people like Catrina that make it so worth the time to meet people and hear others stories.

Since the walk in November of 2010 she has stayed in contact with me through email and the walk is starting back up again this fall. I wanted to forward her email in hopes you would be interested in hearing her story through her blog or would like to donate on behalf of her team for this year’s walk.

Catrina is a very sweet lady and I’m thankful we crossed paths that day. You can visit her web pages at the bottom of the email if you are interested.

Thanks,

Please pass this along to help Catrina and her team meet their goal for the 3-Day walk!

The 3-Day Friend Finder in action

I recently found myself traveling to Castle Rock, Co. to visit my sister, aunt and uncle. I knew I wanted to at least get 1 training walk in while I was there and the schedule was for 7 miles on that Saturday. I thought about the 3-Day Friend Finder and thought why not give it a try and see if by some chance I could find someone to walk with me. I found Colleen, a survivor and first year walker and she just happened to be signed up for the Dallas 3-Day like me! I quickly sent her an email through the 3-Day website and asked her if she would be interested in walking with me. She wrote me back and we made plans to meet at 6am Saturday at Rock Park (the Rock is in the background of the picture of Colleen).

Colleen had a nice 7 mile route all planed out for us and it turned out to be a very nice morning for a walk and to get to know a new friend. She told me that she knew she would be coming to Dallas alone and that coming alone didn't mean she would walk alone. Now she is even more excited to come as now she knows not only me but will have the entire Pink Soles in Motion team welcoming her to Dallas.

The 3-Day Friend Finder really works!!!

Just DO IT!

Every now and then I think maybe I need to slow down and not volunteer myself so much so that I have more free time for “ME”. That thought only lasts a moment. It’s not about ME ME ME! It’s about finding a cure for cancer and not just one….CURE THEM ALL!!!

This will be my 7th 3-Day 60 Mile walk in 5 years and I will once again be walking Dallas with the best team ever, Pink Soles in Motion.

Every year brings on new challenges (my body feels 100 years old some days), adventures and new people that I honor as I walk. I hate that my Wall of Honor keeps getting longer only because I want a world without cancer and no one on my wall. I do however, take consolation in the fact that it means I’m reaching more and more people and that I continue to make a difference to so many friends and family.

I thank all of you for the support, encouragement and donations year after year. I sometimes wonder if I’m wearing everyone out with my emails, fundraising, and stories. It’s hard sometimes to get motivated to send emails and ask for donations and support. That is until your co-worker’s dad is diagnosed with melanoma and passes in less than a month; a high school classmate’s mom losses her long battle to cancer which she fought with grace; and a woman that is married to a man you are acquainted with through work is diagnosed with tumors on her brain and needs a miracle to be able to spend more time with her three young children. This all just happened to me within the past month and I’m motivated now more than ever.

If I can make a difference to just 1 person by walking just 1 more mile to send just 1 more email to raise just 1 more dollar that funds the research that saves just 1 more life, then I will just DO IT!

I am truly blessed by knowing each and every one of you and I can’t thank you enough for making a difference in my life and that of others.

If you would like to donate it would be greatly appreciated and any amount is welcome. If you would like me to walk in honor of someone please email me their name and if you would just like to share a story or give me encouragement I would love that as well. Together we will find a Cure!

Until there is a CURE,
Catrina Gibson
J&S4EVER