Let's Paint Atlanta PINK!!

Guess what time it is?!? Time for the Atlanta Susan G Komen 3 day! 60 Miles for a Cure!!!! I leave tonight for Atlanta and I can NOT wait! This is my second walk and I know exactly what I am getting myself into and I am so beyond excited.


Guys - my team this year has been amazing. We have all rallied together to help each other out with training, with fundraising, we even all pitched in to help one teammate get her plane ticker. This group I am walking with...there aren't words to describe how proud I am to be a part of this team.

My sister and Me on Day 3 - Atlanta 3 Day 2010

Me and E at the last cheering station of Day 3 - 2010

And I most definitely can't wait to be part of Opening and Closing ceremonies in the Survivor's Circle with my girl Casandra carrying the Courage flag! Look for me! :)

I wanted to use this post to give you all the Spectator information - those of you in Atlanta. I also want to use this post to get the names of the people I need to walk for! I know I have talked to so many of you on Facebook or on here or on Twitter about walking for your friend or family member. So I am asking you please to leave me a comment of the name or names of those that you know who have battled breast cancer. If they are a survivor - please tell me how many years. For the survivors I will be wearing pink ribbons that say "In Honor Of".If you have lost someone to this terrible disease then let me  know and I will wear an "In Memory Of" pink ribbon. This is one blog post where comments are crucial!!!! Please feel free to DM me or FB me as well!!!


Ok - Atlanta Spectator info -

Opening Ceremony
The 3-Day for the Cure begins early Friday morning with the Opening Ceremony. When you arrive, take a moment to write the names of the people in your life who have lost their lives to breast cancer on the white ribbons we will provide. Those ribbons will be used to create a special memorial flag that will be raised during the ceremony.
This celebration is not just for participants. Friends and family are highly encouraged to attend, though please note that seating will not be available, so if you are unable to stand for 30-60 minutes, you may want to bring a folding chair. Please allow extra travel time due to expected traffic congestion at the site.
After the Opening Ceremony is over, participants will begin walking the 60-mile route and start a journey of a lifetime. It will be even more special if you are there to help send them off with smiles and encouragement.
Friday, October 21
Stone Mountain Park
1000 Robert E. Lee Drive
Stone Mountain, GA 30083

Please print this parking pass and display it on your vehicle's dashboard to avoid paying the park entrance fee when you arrive.
Schedule for the Day:
5:00 a.m. - Crew members should arrive.
6:00 a.m. - 7:00 a.m. - Walkers should arrive.
7:30 a.m. - Opening Ceremony begins with community stretching.

Cheering Stations

Friday, October 21
Mile 4, 8:15 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Downtown Stone Mountain, Stone Mountain Welcome Center
891 Main Street
Stone Mountain, GA 30083

Mile 14.2, 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Dekalb History Center - Old Courthouse Building
101 E. Court Square
Decatur, GA 30030

Saturday, October 22
Mile 13.4, 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Lindbergh City Center
520 Main Street N.E.
Atlanta, GA 30324

Mile 17.7, 12:00 p.m.- 5:00 p.m.
Peachtree Street between 3rd Street & 6th Street
701 Peachtree Street
Atlanta, GA 30308
* Please do not park in Redeemer Church parking lots.

Sunday, October 23
Mile 5.0, 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
John Howell Park
833 Virginia Avenue N.E.
Atlanta, GA 30306

Mile 10.3, 10:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Freedom Park, between Euclid Avenue & Moreland Avenue
1284 North Avenue
Atlanta, GA 30307
* Please do not park at Inman Middle School or in church parking lots.

Closing Ceremony
After three days and 60 miles, participants will take a final and incredibly emotional victory walk into the Closing Ceremony. Friends, family and supporters should arrive at the Closing Ceremony site at least one hour early to get the best view of the program. We encourage you to carpool or take public transportation. Not only is it better for the planet, but it will help lessen traffic congestion for everyone.
All walkers and crew members should remain in the Participant Holding Area where they will receive a victory shirt, cheer on fellow walkers and crew members and celebrate one last time together before their dramatic victory walk. The Participant Holding Area is CLOSED to spectators. If you wish to meet with a participant before the Ceremony begins, please have them meet you at the Closing Ceremony site. All participants must return to the Holding Area no later than 4:30 p.m. in order to join the victory walk.
Don't forget to continue the spirit of kindness we'll be building on the 3-Day throughout and beyond the Closing Ceremony!
Sunday, October 23
5:00 p.m.Turner Field
755 Hank Aaron Drive
Atlanta, GA 30015

If you are in Atlanta and are planning to come out and cheer us on at any of these events - Opening Ceremonies, A Cheering Station, or Closing...PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE comment and let me know! That way I can be in touch with you to make sure you know when we are coming through the cheering stations OR so that I can meet up with you at either Opening or Closing. I, along with my teammates have worked really hard for a really long time getting ready for this event. It took a long time AND a lot of work for me to raise the $3,025 I raised for Susan G Komen. And a long time AND a lot of work for Team Twitter ATL to raise the nearly $50,000 it has raised!
We do still have one teammate, Tonya, that hasn't met her minimum. So please, if you can donate any amount, please do so HERE.

WHY I WALK!!!!

You guys have all been amazing and supportive and awesome throughout all of this. So a HUGE Thank you for your support. I love you all!!!

All my love guys!
XOXO,
Allie

A Very Special Boobie Wednesday

For Breast Cancer Awareness Month I asked Veronica of Boobie Wednesday to Guest Post for me. And she agreed! I wanted you guys to hear her story because it's so incredible. So here you go! And thank you Veronica!

"Almost 3 years ago, i started Boobie Wednesday (www.Boobiewednesday.com )   with my friend Christal. The idea behind it was to remind women and men to do their self exams for breast cancer. The difference with us is that we remind them weekly. Using Twitter and Facebook we have always reached out to, and included people across the globe. My reason for doing it was because at that time my oldest 2 children's Aunt Tonia, who happens to be the same age as me, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Before that moment i had never really self examined, thinking as most people do, not me, and if i don't look for it, i cant have it. The importance for helping survivors and people who recently had been diagnosed get the information they need, and helping others understand that anyone, male or female, can get breast cancer has always been our top priority.
     Back in July of this year I went for my yearly PAP and physical exam. My Dr. figured since i was getting ready to turn 40 it would be a good time to get my first annual Mammogram done. Breast cancer does not run in either side of my family and i always self exam. I've never had any signs or symtoms, and even the doctor didn't find a lump. Within 3 days of my first mammogram i got the call i had to have it redone. They said that something was showing on the pictures so i went and had it re-done. As soon as it was finished the radiologist met me in another room and said that the finding on the first and second mammograms were the same and i had to go for a biopsy. In the next instant he says, "1 out of every 3 patients we get with these finding have breast cancer."
    The next week i went in, 2 days after my 40th birthday, for my biopsy. On August 19th, i got the call that i had Non-invasive Ductual Carcinoma or DCIS in my left breast. I had recently started a new relationship and all i could think about was how will he handle this, is he going to walk away, and how am i going to tell my kids? I don't know how i have gotten so lucky but my kids were wonderful saying we will beat it together, and my boyfriend Tim said that having breast cancer didn't change anything, and that we wasn't going anywhere.
On September 14th i had my first lumpectomy. 13 days later i had my second one done. Last Friday i got the call that i am cancer free and i start radiation October 17th. The roller coaster of emotions I've been through in the last 2 months has at moments been overwhelming, but I'm strong. I'm even stronger because i have so many people that care about me and are standing behind me in case i trip or fall along this crazy road I'm on. I have all the survivors i have met through Boobie Wednesday to answer my questions when no one else can. I've been scared, angry, and wishing that i could have just one more day where i wouldn't know, or have to think about me personally having breast cancer. No worries, no cares, no fears, but it's not going to happen. I wake up eveyday now thinking how lucky i am though because i have so much more that i ever thought i did. "

If you guys don't follow Boobie Wednesday on  Twitter I really think you should!!!!

XOXO,
Allie