Thank you---Charlotte 2008

Hello friends, family and donors!
First of all, thank you all so much for sponsoring my walk and/or the Houston one as well.
It has taken me so long to write this...I have still been relishing in what was one of the most amazing weekends of my life!
Where do I begin? If you don't know already I recently got a pretty drastic haircut...a mohawk! I used it as a fundraZor, awareness raising method as well as tribute. Last May in DC I met a man named Dale Cooper aka Mohawkman. He had recently lost his young wife Monica to this demon and was fulfilling her wishes by continuing to walk. This was the only way I could really show him what an impact he had on my life.

Admittedly it was hard to share with you all that I was getting this haircut. Most of you have known me since I was itty bitty and I didn't want you all to think I was crazy! I have donated it though, and a deserving woman who needs it more than I will get it! ....Which brings you to my video. My friend Noni and I made a music video I guess about the haircut. Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDk71d-Pfg4 They are now showing it at introduction walk meetings and all 9 cities know about it!

Well moving on, Friday was event eve. This is when all of the walkers get checked in, and I was able to sell merchandise to help fundraise for next year. It was also an opportunity to see "old" and new friends. Poor Dale...when I saw his mohawk among the crowd I tackled him and broke my flip flop!

I am a part of an all city team called the Solo Strutters. Without them I would be lost! The whole team (there were almost 100 in CLT!) all had a big dinner which was wonderful! It really is a family!

Saturday it was raining! Thankfully I had rain gear and it wasn't too dreadful. One of our teammates Wendy was a survivor speaker so we were all excited to cheer her on! Wendy is in her early 40's, when she was 21 she lost the use of her right arm to sarcoma and at her first mammogram found out she had breast cancer. She has beaten breast cancer twice and has also had a stroke. How easily I forget how simple my life is. After opening ceremonies I set off with Dale while the rain kept coming. Dale started a tradition a year ago of dropping pennies with pink ribbons painted on them along the route. He calls them "pennies from heaven." If you find one you know that Monica is looking down on you helping you get through that next mile! So, Dale had his pennies and I had "flat Mike". Mike Base is an awesome man that I also met in DC. He was going to go to the Houston walk but a few weeks before it he was diagnosed with liver cancer. He has been putting up a good fight, but he recently found out he also has hepatitis C. He was going to try and come to CLT but wasn't feeling up to it, so I let him "walk" with me.

Around mile 12 Dale and I met up with a woman named Bev. Dale and Bev have developed a relationship, that unfortunately is connected in sad ways. They both lost their spouses within months of each other to cancer. They both have teenage children and are doing the best they can to cope. They, like many people on the walks, are extremely positive though, and rather than dealing with it alone they grieve together. By then the sun was shining and the weather was beautiful! Hills are not my friend though!

Mile 26 was rough, emotionally rather than physically. Dale had Monica's shoes attached at his waist all day and this was "her mile." We limped our way to the food tent to watch the evening festivities and went to bed early.

Sunday I was feeling wonderful physically. No blisters and just a little sore. However, it was the 10th anniversary of my dad's passing. I was not expecting it to hit me as hard as it did. I could not have been in a better place though. Having Bev there was wonderful, she has a daughter my age. I walked with Dale and Bev for a few miles but I told them we needed to let each other loose. You can't spend the whole walk with just two people. You need to hear other's stories and walk by yourself at times. Before parting though, Dale attached Monica's shoes to my belt to "walk with her". He gave me a handful of pennies to place on the route and said he would meet up with me later. Dale got ahead of me and I was able to find MY penny! When I looked at the year it was 91', the year I was born. I walked with survivors and friends, strangers and alone. It was incredible and I only developed a teeny blister on my big toe. At the last rest stop I met up with the Solo Strutters so we could walk in together.

At mile 13 I gave Monica back to Dale. Before crossing the finish line a man named Joe ran up to us. Joe had recently lost his wife as well, so I walked through the finish line holding Dale and Joe's hands.

Closing didn't start for another 30 minutes or so we all collapsed in the grass, proud, tired and emotional. Closing was the most powerful moment of the whole weekend. There was a moment of silence remembering those fights that did not win and they gave out the checks. Below is a list of the some of the grants given....you helped!!

North Carolina Baptist Hospital received $375,000 to support a community outreach and patient navigation services program named the Survivors in Service Navigation Network. Navigators will work to reduce disparities in breast care among the African-American community, expanding the current program by providing services to more patients from the surrounding rural counties and adding genetic testing and counseling.
Presbyterian Hospital received $300,000 to support its community outreach and patient navigation program to improve access to screening, diagnostics, and treatment to underserved populations in underserved populations in Charlotte, NC, Mecklenburg County and eleven surrounding counties.
Carolinas Medical Center received $275,000 to support the Mecklenburg County Breast Care Management program that provides outreach and patient navigation services to medically underserved women in Charlotte. The staff coordinates screening and care through four facilities: the Carolinas Hospital, the Blumenthal Cancer Center, and they Myers Park and Health Department Clinics.
Health Research Alliance received $95,000 to support the development of a web-based grants database that will contain pooled grant information of nonprofit agencies. This award is a key outcome of the Avon-led collaboration between Avon and other breast cancer funding agencies.
They then ask you to raise your hands in the air if you walked this weekend and to join hands with those next to you. One hand I help was of a girl who walked with her mom, a survivor, the whole weekend and the other was Joe's. Joe held Bev's and Bev held Dale's. In Dale's other hand were Monica's shoes held high. He often says "those shoes will walk again."

Most went separate ways, but most of the solo's went back to the hotel. Quite a few went out to dinner and we were able to get a hold of Mike Base on the phone!

Monday morning was the day for final goodbyes. I called Dale's hotel room to make him say goodbye....obviously he was tackled again!

However, as much as I enjoy the walks, I want them to stop! I want a cure...NOW! Until that day I will do all I can though. That is why I have signed up to wall all 9 cities next year and raise $16,200! Any help you can give is very appreciated! Think of the millions of dollars the presidential candidates have been spending campaigning...don't make that mistake..put your money to a good cause. I understand if you are unable to donate at the moment, so if you could pass this e-mail onto others who might be able to I will be forever grateful! Also, travel expenses are completely out of pocket so if you have spare frequent flyer miles or vouchers that is just as wonderful!

I am also selling calenders. It is called "Real Men Wear Pink" and it is filled with men who have played a role in fighting breast cancer. Mike Base, Dale and the Cow are in it! They are $15 or two for $20. Just send me an e-mail with your address and it will be on it's way! Makes a great Christmas gift!

I have also gotten involved with volunteering at the Houston walk office. They recently asked me to speak at Rice to their volunteer organization RSVP. Hopefully there is a cure soon, but if not this will be my career path.

Thank you for reading, listening and helping!

If you are ready to donate just go here: www.avonwalk.org/meaganbetts

You can also donate in increments. And remember that no donation is too small!

Thanks!