Getting Started

Ok, I've committed myself to the Susan G. Komen 3-day, 60-mile breast cancer walk that will be held October 17-19, 2008 in Philadelphia. That's in exactly 227 days, which will fly by in no time and that's why I need to get started pronto on working towards my $2200 donation funds I have to raise in order to actually participate. There's no way I'm going to put forth all that effort of raising funds, working out (mentally and physically), etc and then not be able to walk. I also have to get the $90 registration fee yet (which doesn't count towards the $2200). So why put forth all of this effort when I don't even know anyone that has been affected by Breast Cancer? I'm not even sure myself. I can't explain why I'm doing it - I saw the commercial on tv and literally said to myself after it was finished "I'm doing that." I don't know why, but I just feel like this is something I have to do. When someone asks you why you ran over and helped someone pick up groceries they dropped, I'm sure you wouldn't have a direct answer either. You'd just say, "I don't know, I did it because it was the right thing to do."

How do I feel about walking 20 miles a day for three days straight? I feel I'll be fine the first day, but as I head into the second, and definitely the third it will become a mental battle. I also haven't decided whether I want to join a group or not. It looks like most are up near Allentown or West Chester, which are both a good half hour away.

Another dilemma I have is how am I going to raise $2200 by October? I've come up w/ a plan of trying to get funds from businesses around me. So, how am I going to "pitch" the need for funds to them. Well, create a great 3-minute PSA type video of course! Normally that would probably be a great undertaking for someone, but I've got my education to thank for that. I plan on really utilizing all the skills I've learned so far in college as a Multimedia Artist and get the most out of the video. April is " Don't be a Fool" month for breast cancer, so I'd like to have the video completed by then. I've come up with the theme of "A walk of a lifetime," which you'll notice is the name of my blog. I'd like to play on the whole idea of where your feet have taken you in your life...some steps have been harder than others, but they are all part of the path to where you are now.

So, where to start? I need to get signed up first ($90), so it looks like I'll get working on a letter to my closest friends asking for their donations. After I'm registered, I'll be setup online to accept donations through the 3-day website. People can still mail in checks made payable to the organization, but it'll take up to 4 weeks to be received and posted to my total donations. Donations online will be posted within 24 hours!

So here's my official kickoff to the Walk of a Lifetime.....just watch me!