31/07: Breast Cancer Zumba Fundraiser
Last Saturday, The Chakra House donated the studio space and Zumba Instructor Becky Pelnar donated her time for a Breast Cancer Fundraising Zumba class organized by Jenn Barry. For those of you that didn't know about the event or couldn't attend, there is still a way that you can participate. Below is Jenn Barry's story about her experience with cancer, the event she is raising funds and awareness for, and a link for you to get involved.
In the spring of 2006, my friend Lou Ann told me that, after visiting a doctor for back pain, she had breast cancer. It was stage 4 (bad) and had spread. I was devastated and wanted so badly to do something to help, but had no idea what to do. The very next day (funny how things happen!) I got a postcard announcing a 3-day, 60-mile walk to raise money to support breast-cancer research and early detection screening for people with low incomes. I was so relieved that there was something I could do and signed up right away!
The Susan G. Komen 3-day walk is quite an event. While walking is something most of us do every day, walking 60 miles is a whole different thing. The organization sent me a 16-week training plan and assigned me a dedicated online coach. There would be clinics and other events around the country and over the phone to help me prepare. I read that, on event day, we'd be given food, drink, bathrooms and entertainment every 3 miles. Chiropractic students and medical staff would be available at each stop and at the home-base where we would camp each night. All of this support and structure comes with a cost. As a result, we're required to raise $2,300 to participate in the event.
During my first 3-day walk, I did not follow the training plan closely and lost 3 toenails. It took 8 months for them to grow back. My feet were so swollen that I couldn't wear shoes for over 2 weeks! I didn't mind, though because my friend had just died from her cancer.
Shortly after this, another friend was diagnosed. Then my grandmother died from her cancer. Next, one of the kids at my preschool told me she was scared that her mommy would die because she had just been diagnosed with breast cancer. I signed up to walk again in 2007.
Now, it's 2009 and I now volunteer at Gilda's Club (for people with cancer and their family & friends) and Candlelighters (for children with cancer and their families). I've raised over $8,000 to support other people on this difficult and bizarre journey. For the first time, I'm having trouble meeting my minimum fundraising requirement. As a result, I've scheduled events to help raise money like the Zumba Fundraiser held in conjuction with The Chakra House. If you couldn't make it, I urge you to visit my website and consider making a donation to this important cause. Donations from people like you are what allow me to keep walking. I want to keep walking because everyone deserves a lifetime. I walk because I can and because losing a few toenails is a lot easier than battling cancer.
If you're interested in helping me continue walking, please check out my website:
http://www.the3day.org/goto/Jenn.Barry
In the spring of 2006, my friend Lou Ann told me that, after visiting a doctor for back pain, she had breast cancer. It was stage 4 (bad) and had spread. I was devastated and wanted so badly to do something to help, but had no idea what to do. The very next day (funny how things happen!) I got a postcard announcing a 3-day, 60-mile walk to raise money to support breast-cancer research and early detection screening for people with low incomes. I was so relieved that there was something I could do and signed up right away!
The Susan G. Komen 3-day walk is quite an event. While walking is something most of us do every day, walking 60 miles is a whole different thing. The organization sent me a 16-week training plan and assigned me a dedicated online coach. There would be clinics and other events around the country and over the phone to help me prepare. I read that, on event day, we'd be given food, drink, bathrooms and entertainment every 3 miles. Chiropractic students and medical staff would be available at each stop and at the home-base where we would camp each night. All of this support and structure comes with a cost. As a result, we're required to raise $2,300 to participate in the event.
During my first 3-day walk, I did not follow the training plan closely and lost 3 toenails. It took 8 months for them to grow back. My feet were so swollen that I couldn't wear shoes for over 2 weeks! I didn't mind, though because my friend had just died from her cancer.
Shortly after this, another friend was diagnosed. Then my grandmother died from her cancer. Next, one of the kids at my preschool told me she was scared that her mommy would die because she had just been diagnosed with breast cancer. I signed up to walk again in 2007.
Now, it's 2009 and I now volunteer at Gilda's Club (for people with cancer and their family & friends) and Candlelighters (for children with cancer and their families). I've raised over $8,000 to support other people on this difficult and bizarre journey. For the first time, I'm having trouble meeting my minimum fundraising requirement. As a result, I've scheduled events to help raise money like the Zumba Fundraiser held in conjuction with The Chakra House. If you couldn't make it, I urge you to visit my website and consider making a donation to this important cause. Donations from people like you are what allow me to keep walking. I want to keep walking because everyone deserves a lifetime. I walk because I can and because losing a few toenails is a lot easier than battling cancer.
If you're interested in helping me continue walking, please check out my website:
http://www.the3day.org/goto/Jenn.Barry