A Survivor’s Walk Day Reflections

by Shelley Gregory

It was a glorious, warm, and sunny day for the TBBCF 20th Anniversary “Walk for a Cure.”  This was my 19th year completing the full marathon, and even on the not-so-perfect walk days we have experienced in the past, it still is one of my favorite days of the year.  Although I am not part of a team, I walk with a few of my dearest and most treasured friends, “my tribe.”  The same people who never left my side when I was diagnosed with breast cancer 17 years ago, the same people who continue to complete the walk with me each year and cheer for me when I cross the finish line!

As such, the Walk has always been very special to me. It’s an emotional, motivating and healing experience, and to greet so many others who make the Walk a priority is so powerful. I love running into familiar faces, and although I don’t really know these people, other than seeing them year after year, there are always shared heart-felt hugs. It’s a reflective time for me, thinking about Norma and Terri and all the courageous women and men who have been affected by this horrible disease. The walkers and volunteers are a unified force committed to making a difference, and you can literally feel the energy, love, hope, and support throughout the day. It fills my heart to cross the finish line, and being met with the open arms of my family, friends and other walkers continues to inspire me each year.

This year the Closing Ceremonies were an extraordinary celebration! In addition to our gratitude to the TBBCF founders, the Brodeur family, the tireless organizers, generous sponsors, determined walkers, hard-working volunteers, brilliant researchers, considerate town officials, and dearly loved families and friends, we honored our dedicated 20-year walkers and our brave and beautiful breast cancer survivors!  Probably one of the most breathtaking sights was what I call “Honor Hill.” Dozens of signs were positioned in the distance that read “I walk in honor of/in memory of ...” with loved one’s names.

Walk day is about supporting and loving each other and working together to fund vital research to one day find a cure. TBBCF is an amazing organization that I am proud, honored and grateful to be a part of.