Reflections on the 2009 Boston Breast Cancer 3-Day
The 2009 Boston Breast Cancer 3-Day is now complete, leaving us with lasting memories, some audacious photos, and the sense that again we accomplished what we set out to accomplish. Please enjoy the following recant of the 2009 Boston 3-Day event and check out the video slideshow.
During the 2009 Boston Breast Cancer 3-Day, we were part of a sea—no, a tsunami—of incredible people who walked as one, who renewed existing bonds and created new friendships. We shared stories of many cancer-related sorrows (and, thankfully, some survivor-related joys) even as we endured our own hardships on the walk. (But we knew that our blisters and cramps and shin splints were nothing compared to what our loved ones fighting breast cancer have withstood.)
We walked through driving rain, scorching sun, and oppressive humidity. We provided shoulders to lean on and cry on. We supported each other and cheered each other on. If one of us faltered, others quickly stepped in to offer a hand. And simultaneously, we helped our loved ones of this and the next generation. Together, we took on a profound cause and a formidable enemy. And we won the battle.
No, we didn’t find a cure for breast cancer during the walk. But we chipped away at it effectively, relentlessly, determinatively. We demonstrated a commitment and a tenacity that will, ultimately, vanquish this disease.
We at Men With Heart consider it a privilege to have walked with our fellow walkers, and we thank them for the opportunity. We were moved by shared stories and words of thanks and encouragement. We are grateful for the good-natured tolerance of our off-key singing. And we hope we helped to make steps lighter, pain more tolerable, and spirits brighter.
And we look forward to doing it all over again next year!
Join Men With Heart In Supporting The Healing Garden 2nd Annual Perennial Walk – October 17th
Last October, Men With Heart fielded a small team of walkers for a 5K event to benefit the Healing Garden in Harvard, Massachusetts. This year, the 2nd Annual “Perennial Walk†will be held October 17th. Please consider participating in this badly needed fundraising event. As with many charitable organizations, “The Healing Garden†has been hit hard by the economic problems around the country. Endowments and contributions have been cut to the point of threatening the Healing Garden’s mission.
Check out the Healing Garden 2nd Annual Perennial Walk
Please take a few minutes to visit their website. Watch the inspirational video and learn about how recovering breast cancer patients and their families are helped in so many ways, and with no financial obligation. The work of a handful of caring people is having a huge impact on hundreds of lives. But just as the need for these services grows, the financial support is being severely crippled by the state of the economy.
To make a connection between Men With Heart and the Healing Garden, here are a few facts of interest:
- The Healing Garden opened its doors in the year 2000. The inception of Men With Heart was in 2001.
- Elizabeth (Betsy) Tyson Smith, co-founder and executive director of the Healing Garden, was a member of the board of directors of Men With Heart in its early years.
- Men With Heart has been a supporter the Healing Garden for many years, including several grants.
- The Healing Garden’s huge 2007 fundraising event “Wine, Woman & Shoes†featured a group of well dressed (in black) Men With Heart members, who served as waiters, carrying silver trays of wine samples and fancy shoes.
- Ms. Smith was nominated by Men With Heart’s Scott Walters to receive an award for her accomplishments at a “Fighting & Fabulous†event to support the Ellie Fund. Two years later, Scott received the same honor.
- Betsy’s son Chad, a lawyer with Bingham McCutchen, counseled Men With Heart through the Incorporation process.
The Healing Garden is in many ways a “sister†charitable organization to Men With Heart, with both being dedicated to the fight against breast cancer.
Our goal is to make this year’s Perennial Walk an opportunity for Men With Heart to make a profound statement of support to these wonderful ladies in this time of financial struggles. I ask all of you to consider joining us on this occasion and please bring family and friends as well. If you cannot attend, please consider sending a contribution by visiting the Healing Garden website, where you may be considered a “virtual walker†for the event.
Men With Heart To Be Honored by the Faulkner Hospital
MWH will be honored this fall by the Faulkner Hospital’s Sagoff Centre at their annual gala on Thursday, October 22. Our team is being recognized for our efforts to help get men involved in the fight against breast cancer. This is a tremendous honor for Men With Heart as the Sagoff Centre last honored Gretchen Monahan, the nationally recognized founder of Grettacole & G-Spa, for all of her work in the fight against breast cancer. This exciting event will also showcase fashions from top students at the School of Fashion Design in Boston as they compete for the title of top designer. Each student will present a designer’s line of clothing and will compete for votes from a team of judges led by local celebrities. This Bryn Rafanelli created event takes place at InterContinental Hotel in Boston and is bound to be a special evening.
One of the first of its kind in the nation, the Faulkner-Sagoff Centre opened in 1971. It quickly became, and continues to be, a leader in providing state-of-the-art breast cancer screening and diagnostic technology and compassionate care. The annual gala raises funds that help purchase new technology for the organization and, most importantly, support the Faulkner-Sagoff Mammography Access Program. Uninsured and underinsured women living within the Faulkner Hospital service area can receive a free annual screening mammogram through this program. If there is a positive finding, the program also pays for any further treatment and services the patient may require including biopsies, surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Since its inception, the Faulkner Gala has raised nearly $6 million, enabling the hospital to enhance its mission of providing meaningful community healthcare services.
Komen Race for the Cure – Saturday, September 26
Please join Men With Heart at this popular 5k Race/Walk that draws thousands of participants. The MWH team does lots of things at this event: we’ll have a table handing out buttons ; some guys are walking, some are running, and, as always, we’ll have guys cheering at the end. To do this we need lots of volunteers. Not only do we want you to attend, but please try to invite other guys and get them involved in the team.
MWH will make a donation to the Komen Race for the Cure based the number of guys who attend. We encourage you to register for the race using this link (we have a team registered). If you can help raise money for the event that’s great, but we also understand you might be coming off fund raising for the 3-Day and thus be tapped out.
Either way—we’ve got you covered and we hope to see you there!
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