Let the Fundraising Begin!

So, I know I briefly posted about The 3 Day a couple of weeks ago but this weekend marks 24 weeks until the event!  Time to start training and time to start FUNDRAISING!!

I'm going to insert a copy of the letter I sent out two years ago when I began my fundraising campaign then.  Even now, when I go back and read it, I am haunted by what a scary time this was for my family.  We had never experienced anything like it.  Cancer is a horrible disease and I know and love too many people who are affected by it.  The 3 Day is such a powerful way to feel like you are doing something to make a difference.  When I walk, I not only walk for the many men and women who are facing this disease at this very moment, and not only for the ones who have faced it and lost their battle, but for the ones who have yet to face it.  My own mother.  Me.  My daughter.  With the money that is raised, research will be done, treatments and medications will be discovered, and we will become that much closer to finding a cure.  As we like to say at The 3 Day, "because EVERYONE deserves a lifetime."

My original fundraising letter, written in April of 2007:

Dear Friends and Family,

A woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every 3 minutes.  Every 13 minutes, the disease claims another life. 

This past January, my aunt, Pattie Hubbard went to see her doctor about a lump she had found in her left breast.  After having to wait for the biopsy results over the weekend, we learned that the results were what we had feared.  She was diagnosed with stage one breast cancer and a lumpectomy was scheduled immediately.  Unfortunately, the doctors were not able to remove all the cancer and additional tests showed pre-cancerous cells in her right breast.  Three weeks later, we found ourselves back in the hospital waiting room while my aunt had a double mastectomy.

Throughout the course of these events, I watched my cousin Beth, my best friend, face the fears of losing her mother.  I would lie awake at night trying to think of things I could say to help, knowing there really were no words.  Beth needed to know that her mom would be OK.  That Pattie would be there for her wedding, her children, and the everyday comforts that mothers provide. 

While I was searching for more knowledge on breast cancer to better help my family, I discovered www.The3Day.org.  It occurred to me, this was the way I could help.

The Breast Cancer 3 Day is a 60-mile walk for women and men who want to make a personal difference in the fight against breast cancer.  Participants commit to fundraising, training, and dedicating an entire weekend to the cause.  The participants will travel an average of 20 miles a day during the event, raising awareness for breast cancer along the way.  This year, I am going to be one of those participants. 

I have committed to raise a minimum of $2,200 by October 26^th. The proceeds raised from The 3 Day will benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund.  The money raised will fund research, treatment, prevention, and community outreach programs.  I hope I can count on you for financial support as I undergo this journey.  It is difficult to ask for money, but remember you can help save lives!

Thanks to the thousands of men and women who have donated in the past new tests and treatments have been developed.  After her mastectomy, Pattie was able to have a test predicting the probability of reoccurrence of her cancer.  Her percentage was so low she will not have to undergo chemotherapy or radiation.  My aunt will be one of the lucky ones to beat this disease and become a survivor! 

Thank you in advance for your generosity.

Stephanie Locke

How to donate:

·    Visit my personal donation page at www.the3day.org/goto/Stephanie.Locke.  You will be able to make your donation online.  While you are there, be sure to check out our team page for The Pink Princesses.  There is a whole group of us walking for Pattie!

·    You can also mail me a check.  Make all checks payable to: Breast Cancer 3 Day.  Please send them directly to me:

Stephanie Locke

1802 Countryside Drive

Frisco, Texas 75034

This year, more than 200,000 women and men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 40,000 will lose their lives to this disease.

 

If you are one of my faithful readers (or even if you aren't), then I'm asking you to please click on the logo on the top right and donate.  I need to raise $2,300 before November 6th and I need your help.  I know these are tough times, but every little bit helps.  Don't delay, donate today!

Sharing Recipes

A few of my good mommy friends (Meredith, Jonna, and Aubrey) and I have been e-mailing for a while about good recipe finds, grocery store bargins, and other mealtime related tips and stories. We find that it helps us keep our sanity as we strive to take care of two or three children, husbands, households, and ourselves. We recently decided to put all of our thoughts about these things onto a combined blog. The four of us plan to update it with recipes and ideas to help make mealtime simple. Check it out and comment if you wish! We'd love other thoughts and suggestions!

Realtime Mealtime:
http://4realtimemealtime.blogspot.com/

The 2009 Breast Cancer 3 Day

That's right peeps, I'm walking again!  The experience I had in 2007 was incredible and I'm so excited to participate again - this time, withOUT a baby in my belly!  As many of you know, I need to raise $2,300 to walk the 60 miles.  Click here to read more about why I walk and to donate if you wish!  

New Post, New Pics

So I know I haven't been posting much lately. I guess ever since Trinkets, I have just enjoyed my evenings away from the computer since so much of my time was spent up here prior to that. At any rate, I'm going to try to be better and give updates more often!

Christopher is about to finish his 3-year old pre-school year. I can't believe my baby will be 4 this summer!! CRAZY!  We've had our first experience with soccer, which really deserves a post of its own, but overall it's been good.  Christopher has had a great time with it and Cory and I are so proud of his efforts and his competitive nature!  He is really turning into quite the intuitive little boy. I can't say anything anymore without him picking up on it. He has the best imagination and we are always engrossed in "pretend play" at this house.  The other day I got to be Lois Lane, a Wonder Pet (can't remember which one), a cow, a dinosaur, and a mommy all in the first hour of my day.   The kid is so smart and constantly asking me questions about anything and everything.  He rattles my nerves every day but melts my heart even more.

My little soccer player

My little kitchen helper, wearing his sister's jacket.  This just cracked me up one day!

Miss Lucy is now 13 months and trying to walk, as you saw in my previous post. Not only that but the girl climbs on everything! She keeps me on my toes all the time.  She is also exploring her vocal chords.  There is no use trying to have a phone conversation, or any other conversation for that matter, while Lucy is in her high chair.  She has decided that at that time of day, she will shriek the most attractive high pitched squeal you can imagine.  It is so pleasant really.  She's not doing it out of anger or sadness, just her form of communication right now.  She is also becoming more and more animated.  She shows her excitement for things with the cutest little faces and always saying "oooh, oooh."  This little one does the same as her brother and makes me both crazy for sanity and silence, and crazy in love.

"Look at me!  I'm taking steps!"

Little girl pigtails.