Gayle Latham's Donation Site for the 2008 3 Day Walk - at it again in 2008!
October 27-29, 2006
Dallas/Fort Worth 3 Day Breast Cancer Walk
We made a 3 Day - 60 mile - Walk for Breast Cancer Research in the Dallas/Fort Worth Walk the first time in 2006! This walk was one of 12 held around the country and it was one of the most incredible events of my life. Although pictures can't really tell the story, I wanted to share some with you.
Our walk started out from Texas Stadium in Arlington with a cold wind blowing
as the sun rose on a wonderful new adventure with 2400 other walkers!
The Survivor Circle during Opening Ceremonies was a beautiful site with the sunrise surrounding them with a golden glow.
We filed out of the stadium parking lot to begin our first day of walking. Three miles later, we came to our first pit stop where we "Refreshed, Refueled and Released"! At each pit stop, we were greeting by cheering crew members. All along the way, well wishers came out of their homes to cheer us on as we walked through neighborhoods and business districts of Arlington, Irving and Grand Prairie.
Lunch was a welcome break at a neighborhood park. A time to sit for a bit,
visit the medical tent and visit with other walkers.
All along the way, we were reminded to stop and stretch every hour. We had pit stops every three miles, with fresh fruit, snacks and Gatorade.
Our first day's walk ended with a very long mile into the campsite in Arlington. There we found wonderful crew members welcoming us to camp, a hot meal, hot showers and a sea of tents. Lights out at 9:00 p.m. after great food, visiting and entertainment in the big tent. During a very cold first night, I have to admit to spending about an hour trying to figure out how NOT to walk the next day!But the next morning, we arose to a beautiful chilly day (but no more wind) and a renewed spirit to continue the walk.
Up at 5:00 a.m. the next morning for a hot breakfast and getting ready to hit the road. The day started off with a cold morning walk through the park. We went out through Arlington again and back to the park that night. The Pink Angels and the "Hula"Man were among the cheerleaders always there to encourage and tell us how great we were doing. The Sweep Vans were always there, cheering us on and ready to help.
The afternoon was warm - walking on sunny paths through Arlington on our way
back to camp. Part of the walk crossed over a very long bridge !
The 3rd day started early with a bus ride into Fort Worth to begin the last
day's walk around Fort Worth parks and neighborhoods, and then heading toward
the closing ceremonies in the Fort Worth Stockyards. Pit Stops were a little
closer together that last day, with lots of the wonderful crew members there
to encourage the walkers. At cheering stations, our family members and other
well wishers met to cheer on the walkers. We all gathered in the holding area
just outside the Stockyards to make the silent walk into the closing ceremonies
together. Survivors filled the inner circle of walkers and everyone forgot
about aching muscles and blisters and bandages for the moment of celebration.
So, After 3 Days of walking, sleeping in tents, porta-potties, Gatorade, Bandaids
and Motrin, traffic stopping for us and people cheering and waving wherever
we walked, we went our separate ways; but with a new family of friends, who
united for a cause, put everything else aside for three days to walk together
in an incredible, beautiful journey of love and committment.
Leanne and Sylvia walked the 3Day in 2007 and I was their Cheerleader,
but I'll be walking again in November 2008!