RENEE Encinitas, CA

Written by Renee Dudek

This year I was blessed to get the chance to walk in the Susan G. Komen For the Cure 3-Day, with the most amazing team of beautiful women that I could have ever met.

Walking the 3-Day gave me the opportunity to meet and become friends with some VERY amazing women on my team. But, it also gave me the chance to hear so many stories, some very inspirational, and some extremely sad. I got the chance to walk with complete strangers, with whom I would have never had the chance to meet. Like, Army Major Sean, who I met on the first day and walked with all day. He, along with two of his Army buddies walked for his wife of 8 yrs, Stacey, who had just passed in Sept. at the young age of 41. Sean and his buddies walked the whole 60 miles carrying their own packs and in their army boots. Sean was also accompanied by 2 of their 5 children, his 15 year daughter, and his wife’s 20 year old daughter.

The second day, while walking up one of the steepest hills of the walk, in the rain, we met a 79 year old woman walking for the first time in memory of her daughter. She was accompanied by her granddaughter, who walked in memory of her mom. We were so amazed at the bond between the two of them, the grandaughter brought us all to tears when she broke down crying and said to us “I just can’t even explain to you all how proud I am of her. She is my inspiration”. Can you believe 79 yrs old and walking 60 miles! AMAZING!

The third day is a vey emotional day to say the least, we are exhaused, and looking forward to the finish line. But, at the same time there are alot of good-byes to go through when you get there. Through the whole 3-Day journey alot of people give their time to come out and cheer, some funny(no hystereical), some just come out smile a big smile and clap.

Alot of these people are there every year, like “Smile Guy and his daughter Little Grin”, The SDPD and SJPD,” Bustin Out Billy”, “The Melon Guys”, “Hookers For Hooters”. But the ones that really hit you are the little kids holding signs that say “Thank you for helping my mommie”, or the little old couple that hold signs” In Memory of our daughter”, or the bald women who just stand there and cry as they try to say thank-you.

I could go on and on for days about the many experiences and stories that happen at the 3-Day, and I have to my family and friends. My children have expressed to me that when they are 15 they want to walk with me. Which brings me back to my original quote, “We walk so they won’t have to”. As much as I would love to have this experience with my children one day, I hope that they walk with me , not for me, or any of our loved ones. That hopefully by the time my daughter is 15, we will have a cure for breast cancer and she will never have to worry.

That is why I will keep raising money and walking the 60 miles for Susan G. Komen every year.

Thank you for all your support,

Renee