Help!

The day I write this, I'm going to a meeting at County Health Services to learn the finer points of gathering donations for non-profit fundraising. It's an education I'm going to need.

I sent in my registration fee, I have my tee-shirt, I got the days off work (I think), and now I'm going to walk with 2500 other people all weekend Oct. 22-24, around 55 miles in Avon's 3-Day walk from Santa Barbara to Malibu.

I need to have at least $1700 in donations by October 21 in order to participate, so I think needless to say, I'm a little concerned.

What is possessing me, who has never done anything for charity except donate to public and college radio a couple times, to accept the challenge of raising such a sizable amount of money? Where did I find it in myself to agree to a training schedule that recommends weekends of back-to-back 25 mile walks?

I don't know. I think I have reached a point in my life (Saturn return, a possible career not involving a cash register, etc.) where time is definitely speeding up, and I'm starting to look back a lot more (Was that weekend away really four YEARS ago? Did this skirt actually at one time fit me?). And upon looking back, while I wouldn't say I'm a bad person or completely devoid of accomplishment, I realize I am lacking something in way of "giving back" to the community... what did I have to show for myself, for taking up space on the planet all this time?


So I saw a flyer somewhere, and I phoned, and went to the orientation, and saw the video, and got weepy, and was really, very thoroughly moved.

Unlike many of the people that are getting involved with the walk, I don't have a personal connection with breast cancer. I'm not walking in honor or memory of a loved one, I'm not a survivor. But breast cancer is a major killer of women. I learned one of the tragedies of the disease is that some people-- (not surprisingly) especially minorities, the elderly, and low-income women-- don't have access to the education and early detection that can help save them. Unlike heart and lung disease, breast cancer can be detected at an early treatable stage.

Last year Avon raised over 5 million dollars in net proceeds for its Breast Cancer Awareness Crusade and partner, the National Association of Breast Cancer Organizations (NABCO). They in turn award grants to non-profit and univeristy-based programs that educate underserved women and connect them with early detection screening services.

So I'm doing this. I need your help... the help of everyone I know. Until Avon has an online pledge form that you can download, you can e-mail me at aeon00@hotmail.com so I can send you one. And please spread the word! If you know anyone that is likely to want to pledge me, please send them my way as well. Thanks!

This site created by Dru
Last Updated 11/24/99