Elissa Bantug, breast cancer survivor and blogger, is walking in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in Washington, D.C. This is Day 2 of updates and photos. She's almost there, so cheer her on!
Elissa's Updates:
6:22 AM The sun is raising over Wellness Village. It was a chilly night for the campers. Many are very stiff after yesterday's long trek. I am amazed at the support and dedication seen all around. Time to get ready for breakfast. Pretty soon we will start again.
8:01 AM We have just started walking. The crowd is a little smaller today but just as energized. Only 13.1 miles to go until we reach closing ceremony.
9:58 AM Jack just turned 18 last month. He is walking all 39+ miles carrying his mom's shoes. She lost her life to this disease in January. He says this is nothing compared to what his mom went through. Jack is walking for his mom since she couldn't walk in her shoes this weekend.
A Survivor's Best Friend
10:49 AM Walking down Massachusetts Ave through Embassy Row. Mile 10.
11:14 AM We are at lunch. It's cold and rainy. Hoping the rain will stop soon.
12:06 PM Rain has finally stopped. Final strech.
12:25 PM Over the last two days, we walked nearly 40 miles to combat breast cancer. Every blister and sore muscle is a small price to pay in hopes of one day living in a world without breast cancer.
Walkers on Day 2
1:09 PM This walk raised over $5 million. Funds will go directly towards research and treatment. Our Johns Hopkins Team was the 3rd largest fundraiser.
1:10 PM Streets are lined with supporters. The cheers and posters are amazing! I am so moved with the level of support. What an incredible way to walk the last few steps.
8:05 PM I am home now caring for my tired feet and sore muscles. What an incredible two days. Words cannot describe the overall feelings of exhaustion, humility, sadness, pride, and sense of accomplishment that have come over me this weekend. The friends I have made and the stories that were told will stay with me for a lifetime. Thank you to everyone who made this weekend possible. A special thanks to the Johns Hopkins Breast Center Survivor Volunteer Team who cheered us along throughout the entire two days. We could not have done it without you. The rain, the fatigue, the lack of sleep, the sore muscles, and the countless hours of training and fundraising were all well worth it all. Hopefully the money and awareness raised this weekend brought is just a little closer to a world without breast cancer. Tonight I will perhaps sleep just a tad better knowing that our efforts brought us closer to this goal and that my daughters and yours will never have to hear those awful words-- “you have breast cancer”.
