I am happy to report that I have completed the 60 km walk of the Weekend to End Breast Cancer….and what a weekend that was!!! Thanks to your support I was able to raise 3145.00$. I am still overwhelmed by everyone’s generosity.

The Gods were definitely smiling on us as we set out both days under beautiful clear skies. There was 3972 walkers participating in the event and together we raised 12,000,000$ for Princess Margaret Hospital! Isn’t that amazing? This is the most successful first-time event ever held in North America (according to the organizers). The hospital has already purchased a digital mammography and more money will be put in research to eliminate Breast Cancer.

Our team was made up of 8 people but 4 of us walked together the whole time ….and what a walk that was! Since we are all power-walkers, we spent most of the first hour each day passing people until we found our space and then there was no holding us back. We completed 33 km on the first day in approx. 5 hours and 27 km the next day in 4 hours. We walked through some lovely parts of Toronto as well as some very busy streets. We enjoyed the trails of Sunnybrook Park and Humber Park (name?). We left from Exhibition Place, ended up at Downsview Park where we spent the night, and walked back to Exhibition the next day….always under a beautiful sun!

Some of the highlights and memorable moments of this weekend:

• Setting out on Saturday morning amid a sea of people along Lake Ontario and feeling like a very small part of a big event.
• Walking behind people whose t-shirts named special ones lost to breast cancer or listed survivors. Some people had photos pinned to their shirt. Very touching.
• Using every shape and model of “Port-o-potty” around and hoping I never have to see another one again in my life!!!
• Being amazed by the number of volunteers involved and their complete devotion to this cause
• Signing the commemorative flag and noticing the young lady beside me write “I miss you, Mom” as tears are streaming down her face.
• Walking around the camp (Downsview) and sensing this peacefulness, this quietness as people relax, after a long day of walking.
• Arriving at Downsview and seeing this sea of blue tents set up waiting for us (there must have been a couple of thousands).
• Wonderful pit stops along the way that provided great snacks, medical supplies and care…and “port-o-potties”, of course!!!
• Sleeping in a tent under the stars…and having to visit the “facilities” (yes, the "Port-o-potty") at least 3 times during the night.
• Freezing in my tent until I turned on this wonderful portable heater (thank you Laurel!) and finally being able to relax and sleep.
• Arriving at the end of the second day to cheering volunteers and feeling overwhelmed with emotion.
• Cheering on others coming in and crying every time I saw someone else cry.
• Finisher received a navy shirt. If you were a survivor, you received a pink shirt. Looking around me, I was amazed to see that most of the pink shirts were worn by women my age or younger…a sobering thought.

Again, a big thanks for your support and generosity….a few pictures are included of the weekend. My next challenge : a walking marathon in Bermuda in November (and I don’t need sponsors!!! ;-)

This has been a wonderful weekend and I hope some of you get the chance to one day experience it. Let me know and I will be glad to sponsor you.

Cheers, Lyne