Let me tell you about the most amazing thing I have ever done.

July 27-29, 2001, I participated in the Avon Breast Cancer 3-Day—a walk of 60 miles from San Jose to San Francisco to raise money and awareness for breast cancer. We had three days to make the journey, sleeping in tents, eating outdoors, and using port-a-potties along the way. Not everyone’s idea of a fun weekend—but it was incredible.

Maybe it was the opening ceremonies, when a small circle of breast cancer survivors moved slowly through the crowd, reminding us of those who have been lost to this disease and offering to hold our tears within their circle. Or the reminder that as we walked, our left foot was moving one step closer to a cure, and our right foot moving one step further away from the pain families feel when they lose a loved one to breast cancer.

I suppose it could have been the many moments along the route when I didn’t think I could take another step, but another walker offered encouragement. It may have been the cheers from onlookers and from the gaily decorated “sweep vans” as they monitored the route. Perhaps it was the “Pretty Woman” guy, who played that song for us and cheered loudly at several points along the route. Maybe it was the San Jose police volunteers, part safety officers and part cheerleaders, who made a victory tunnel for us all to walk through as we topped our last hill. Or the families who lived on “Hope Hill”—a straight-up walk of 1.5 miles—who cheered, hosed us off, and offered popsicles as we walked the toughest part of the route.

But I think what really made it incredible were those several times each day I was moved to tears. The woman by the side of the road with her baby, clapping and holding up a sign that read “I survived because you walk.” The photos worn by many of the walkers in memory of loved ones lost to breast cancer. And the entrance to closing ceremonies by the 200+ breast cancer survivors who walked with us, who remind us that we can beat this disease.

I'll be walking again in 2002, and I need your support. Maybe your contribution won't feel like much, but last year all the donors and all the walkers together raised $5.5 million for breast cancer--mostly from people who didn't feel like they had much to give. Thanks to people like you, hundreds and thousands of women may find out they have breast cancer in time to save their lives. Thanks to people like you, many families will not have to feel the pain of losing a mother, sister, or daughter to breast cancer. Thanks to you, we may find a cure.

Love, Michelle