Gemma walks for Breast Cancer Research:

Here is her story...

Wow, what an unbelievable experience that I would recommend to anyone.  Leah's already working to put together a team of family and friends for next year!  I walked 14 miles the first day with my friend, Chris from work and his friend Kathy.  We didn't make it 26 miles that day, but were just happy to be able to climb off the bus on our own that afternoon! 

I got up at 4:00 Saturday morning (yes, 4:00 am!!!)  The weather was perfect for walking, the opening ceremonies were inspirational and the group of people we met and talked to along the way were so much fun.  Over 3000 of us started walking from Golden Gate Park at 7:00, walked through the Presidio and then over the bridge into Sausalito. 

 

Leah walked with me until we got to the Sausalito ferry and decided 9 miles was enough for her and took the ferry back to S.F.  I was proud she made it that far without even planning to walk.

We continued walking through Sausalito and finally into Mill Valley (I think), by that time I didn't know where we were!  We'd passed the 13 mile marker and started seeing some walkers coming back the other way, so we knew we were close to the turnaround point. 

All three of us had feet that were screaming to stop so we hopped on one of the buses back to the Wellness Center at Crissy Field.  Eventually we took a cab back to our hotel where I wasn't sure I would be able to walk from the elevator to my room!! 

 

 

 

I was very surprised the next morning (5:00 am!!!) that I felt amazingly fine.  A little stiff, but my feet felt 90% better.  Chris was not able to make it the second day because his feet were still badly swollen!  So I hopped on a bus that took me back to the Wellness Center where volunteers served us a hot breakfast before we started the second day of walking at 7:30.  I ran into 2 people I met during previous training walks and had a great time with them.  We walked all over S.F., including a couple of killer hills in the Portrero Hill area.  We finished the 13.1 mile day in Golden Gate Park to a huge crowd of supporters cheering us to the finish line.  Leah was there with her friend Kia and a bouquet of flowers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The closing ceremonies were great and tears were flowing when 300 breast cancer survivors, that had walked that weekend, paraded up to the stage.  It gave me hope and made all the steps that everyone walked that weekend and all the money donated to this cause well worth it!  A total of 7.5 million dollars was raised for this S.F. walk.

Thanks to all of you for your support--for your donations and for all the encouragement.  I walked for you and for me and for all our daughters and granddaughters. 
Thank you with love,
Gemma 

P.S. There were a number of people on motorcycles that volunteered to help with traffic when we walked through the city.  I included a picture one of my favorite bikes which happened to be ridden by a woman!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To see the rest of Gemma's Photos, Click HERE

 

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