Kara’s Story
« Our Why | Posted on 11/01/2009 07:05 pm by adminBreast cancer is not something that has touched my family….yet. I’m one of the lucky few who has never had to deal with the disease “up close and personal.” I’ve had several friends whose moms were diagnosed (and survived!), but from across the country, it seemed so distant and removed. I sent kind e-mails and cards and prayed for them, but it never really felt “real” to me. I now realize how completely sheltered I’ve been from the world of breast cancer.
Last year, I took a meal to a church member who had a double mastectomy. Margaret is a greeter at my church, and she knows and loves everyone and is the sweetest person I know. When I walked in the door with her meal, she was in a great deal of pain, but she was smiling and joking and proudly showed me her scars. That stuck with me. Her faith in God was so strong, and she continued to stay faithful and praise Him through her journey. It was an amazing experience for me…to hear her story and see her scars and watch her fight and beat her breast cancer!
A few months later, I went on a training walk with Team Tiara. I was trying to lose 10 or 15 pounds, and Kristine Fiala invited me to join them for a walk. I was familiar with Team Tiara and the 3 Day Walk. My friend, Suzi Bruin, walked the last few years, and I thought she was CRAZY! Who DOES that, anyway? She smiled and told me how amazing it was and that I should walk with her. No way! I don’t walk 60 miles in 3 days….that’s nuts! Five miles later, I was seriously considering joining the team.
Earlier this year, our 7 year old neighbor, Elise, passed away from cancer (leukemia), and it rocked my world. My son is the same age. Cancer can happen to anyone. I finally realized that I WANT to walk. I initally wanted to lose weight, but now I want to make a difference! I want to feel like I’m walking for a purpose….to fight breast cancer and win! As I began fundraising, I met the most amazing people and learned their stories and heard their sorrows. I can’t wait to fight for them! This is why I walk….to tell their stories and keep their memories alive….to find a cure so that my family can stay cancer free….to stand for something and then walk toward it.
