Why I'm Walking

I think this is my fundraising letter ...

These lyrics by Phil & Julie Vassar do a beautiful job of capturing the essence of why I'm walking ...

Why We Walk
There’s an empty chair at the dinner table
Where a mother used to sit.
She was 34 years old, full of life and dreams
And two small kids.
There’s a young man with a tear in his eye and a pink ribbon on his coat
In memory of the only love he’d every known.

There’s a lady looking in the mirror without a single strand of hair.
She barely recognizes the woman standing there.
She’s waging a silent war again an enemy inside
And putting up the fight of her life.

That’s why we walk.
We walk to remember.
We walk to celebrate.
That’s why we walk.
Leaning on each other
And holding on to faith.
For those that are gone and those who live on,
We honor them all.
And that’s why we walk.

She lays in a cold white room in a baby blue paper gown,
Anticipating what the x-rays might have found.
Then she hears the words that always stop you on a dime,
And prays that they found it in time.

That’s why we walk.
We walk to remember.
We walk to celebrate.
That’s why we walk.
Leaning on each other
And holding on to faith.
For those that are gone and those who live on,
We honor them all. And that’s why we walk.
For life, for love, for one another,
For him, for her, there’s strength in numbers
And that’s why we walk.

But all the walking in the world will not stop this monster. It will take the efforts of hardworking, everyday people like you and me to stop this monster in its tracks. The money that you and I contribute to this event goes immediately to support cutting edge research, breast cancer support programs and education for those that most desperately need it. The funds are responsibly managed by the Susan G Komen Foundation and the National Philanthropic Trust Foundation. 85% of whatever I collect will go directly to the cause. That is an awesome return for a charitable event! Truly. Please be generous when you consider your donation.

There are two simple ways to help. You can visit www.the3day.org and follow the prompts to donate online using your credit or debit card. Remember that I am walking in Seattle. You will immediately receive an email receipt for your tax deductible donation, or if you don't feel comfortable using a credit card online - you can download a form and mail in your donation.

You can check my progress at my webpage: Bonnie's 2006 Seattle 3-Day Website