May is the awareness month and purple is the awareness ribbon color - so yes, it's been a very purpley month - and I love it. I can't even tell you how many people have asked me questions, or that I have gotten to talk to and provide education regarding this disease. Not only am I'm astonished at how little is understood about it from the general population, but saddened as well. So much focus is directed at other diseases that are more common. It seems that causes become personal when it touches your life. Thus, cancer is usually the forefront for fundraising and awareness. Not to take anything away from that since I have been witness to that with dear friends in my life, I guess I'm just saying I hope that one day CF is going to be splashed all over the news because we found a cure!
The Great Strides walk is an annual fundraiser for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation - the number one CF charity that focuses on research and funding for a cure as well as quality of life for CF patients. There may be other CF charities out there, but not as much of the money donated actually goes to patients like CFF does. Since Cystic Fibrosis is a progressive fatal disease, we don't have time to dink around with money. The United States government does not provide any funding (as they do with other diseases) so we are entirely on our own. I appreciate their stewardship with the donations they receive.
Saturday morning was the perfect weather for our walk - and of course, I can only really document it in pictures.
Our walkers/runners this year:
Karalee, Corbin, Chloee, Emma Luke, James, Sherrie, Sondra, Brenda, me, Mindy, Angie, Rose, Leanne, Juliana
In the strollers, Mason, Emma, Ben, Angie's baby and Nico
Notice Mindy wearing the lei around her neck. CF patients cannot be within 6 feet of each other without fear of cross contamination, to the walker with CF wear the lei to identify themselves as such. You can imagine how lonely it might be when you can't even hang out with people with the same disease as you.
Our cute Mindy is EXTRA diligent at keeping space between her and other Cf patients. She's more like a 16 ft rule :)
Brenda me and Mind's. We didn't have matching purple shirts or tanks to wear, but all the girls put purple ribbons in our hair.
Splenda Daddy, me, Mindy and Luke. They are amazing kids and I am humbled to be a part of their lives. Such great examples of cheerfulness, gratefulness and the ability to find good in even the worst days.
Mindy and Karalee - besties and sisters - what great daughter-in-love's I have. Just missing Montana in this one.
Me and Sondra. We were introduced a couple of years ago when she was going to run on our relay team, but had to decline due to an injury. However, we've stayed facebook friends and her son recently married a CF patient. It's bonded us as mom's with a cause. She was a HUGE part of our team this year in raising money and awareness - Thank you Sondra!
Me and Brenda - my running bestie.....Since the walk was on the grass around the park, I actually ran most of it. Brenda provided my voice of reason and made sure I didn't push too much, too hard. Splenda Daddy thanks her :)
Chloee and Karalee - I am so thankful for Karalee - what a great Mommy she is and Chloee loves her so much!
Chloee and her friend Slick. They walked the whole thing!
My love. My favorite person on the whole planet. My best friend and partner in life and eternity.
The man, the myth, the legend
Splenda Daddy
And our beautiful Mindy. For whom we do all this for. As long as I live, I will fight, earn money, raise awareness and beg others to help in my cause until truly
CF stands for Cure Found
The most gigantic thank you to everyone who donated, and those that came out to walk with us. You really have no idea what this means to me and to my family. Every dollar raised is a dollar closer to a cure, a longer life span, a better quality of life, not just my daughter-in-love, but for every single CF patient. I am humbled by the generosity of family and friends that donated to our team. I love each and every one of you so much!
From the bottom of my heart,
xoxoxo
mCat
**As always, if you want to learn more about Cystic Fibrosis click here. It will direct you to the CFF website that can give you information as well as how to become involved. It is not too late to donate to Team Minderella - if you feel like you can spare a buck or two, click here.
1 comment:
I was also the part of Great strides walk 2015. This was fundraising walk and the purpose of this walk is to receive the donation. That day, everything seem purple..
Post a Comment