Passionate for a Cure!

One out of eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in here lifetime.

My Aunt Jil was one of those women, who bravely fought breast cancer twice and lost her battle on 8-8-08.

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Pictured above in green, in the center...she was truly the center of our lives. Our family goes on, but it's just not quite the same.

Early 2008, when I realized she didn't have much time left, I decided to walk in the San Diego Three Day for the Cure. A very good friend joined me and my life was changed forever. It was such a moving experience. Months of training fundraising were well worth the effort.

In 2009, we founded "Team Jil" in my Aunt's honor. Along with a group of girlfriends, we first walked the Race for the Cure in green--Aunt Jil's signature color.

Walking as a means of raising money and awareness of breast cancer became my passion.

Team Jil also conquered the Three Day in 2009 .

2010 had it's challenges, personally, so I opted to go out to the course and cheer. I can't say it was ALL about the walkers...I got a little crazy but it made for a good time for all!

Not a week goes by that I don't think of or miss my Aunt...and green always reminds me of her.She was tough. She was strong. She was brave. She earned her Ph.D when working full time and taking classes at night...first college, then master's, then post doctoral work. She was the picture of "tenacity."

Team Jil will reunited and walk at the Race for the Cure on 11/6/11. We are, of course, going green :0)

 

As I mentioned before, my aunt fought breast cancer twice. It was her being proactive about her health that led to the discovery of breast cancer the first time. She had a lump biopsied and even though it came back as benign, she insisted that it be removed. It was then that they found the cancer cells that the biopsy needle had missed. 

In 2007, I had a small bump on my left breast removed that the doctor insisted was just a cyst. It was in fact, a benign tumor. It was random that it developed in my breast but it reminded me of the lesson that my aunt lived. Know your body. Protect your breasts by checking them regularly. Insist when you know you know better than your doctor. And use your life to make a difference in those you love. 

This is why I am PASSIONATE FOR A CURE!

Knitting for the Cure!

My LYS (local yarn store), Yarning for You, had a Knit for the Cure event! Those of you who know me KNOW how passionate I am about the Komen for the Cure Foundation. The 3 day is only 9 weeks away, I really need to get serious about my training. Eeks! But anyway...it was nice to put the walking shoes away and get down to some serious knitting...



We gathered together to knit items to donate for sale at the 5K and the 3 Day. We got 15% anything purchased that day and the emphasis was buying yarn to make a project to donate. It was hard but I made myself stick with what I brought. Oh, how easy it is to covet!





I love this store! The turn out was great, there were fun give aways and lots of laughter...and knitting!




I love to watch hands as they knit...and I loved seeing all of the creations that were in the process of being made.



My contribution was the hat on the right. :0) I hope to knit more by the 11/1/11 deadline but I also know that I HAVE to get into serious training mode here! A little less knitting, a little more walking. Oh, and I've still got some funds to raise for my 3 day walk...if you love pink and feel the urge, feel free to donate at the link below:

I walk in memory of my Great Aunt Ruth Marie. I walk in memory of my Aunt Jil. I walk so that in the future, my nieces do not have to walk for me. http://www.the3day.org/goto/jennkuyper2011

Don't worry, I've got your fronts!

I love the phrase, "I've got your back!" I've had friends say it to me recently and it gave me a deep appreciation for supportive friends. Ones who stand up for you, believe in you, defend you, lift you up when you are down or are feeling trampled.

Don't worry, ladies, I have your fronts! I'm here to support your breast health and help keep them safe from cancer. I walk not only in memory of my aunts, but in hope for a world that is breast cancer free. My goal in my 3 Day journey is to save the TaTa's, your TaTa's!

Sleep Sheep

One of the reasons that I had to take a break from walking this year was due to an ongoing struggle with insomnia. I have spent entire nights laying in bed, just waiting for my sleep sheep to come, to no avail. Other times I fall asleep, only to wake up between 1:30 and 3:30 AM and not be able to get back to sleep. I am simply exhausted all through out the day as I've struggled to get sleep over the past several months. The sleep sheep seem to have taking to partying in the middle of the night.

OTC and Prescription sleep medicine aren't working to keep me asleep, so my nurse practitioner referred me to a sleep study. What an experience that was. You basically get covered in electrodes and are wired up...then expected to try to sleep that way so they can monitor you. Oh my heavens, I got so tangled up the first sleep study, the tech had to put in overtime just to untangle the wires after the study was over!

I was called back for a second sleep study where it was determined I am showing signs of sleep apnea and need to sleep with a CPAP mask. Basically, the mask forces air down and opens up your breathing passages. Which means you have to force air out against the flow of the air coming at you. It's practically claustrophobic. I don't think that sleep apnea is my only issue going on. It doesn't explain how I get so wired and can't fall asleep at times. But I will sleep with that mask if it means I go back to getting regular sleep at night. I'm walking around like a zombie these days! And with this picture that I took while I was getting hooked up for my first sleep study, I look like one, too!

Day 3--November 21

Every year, the 3 day walkers are escorted through the streets of San Diego by hot cops on bicycles. Officers fly down from San Jose just to keep us walkers safe. They are great, so much fun and so encouraging. We don't mind all the attention! Last year, my walking partner Kim and I came up with a plot to have a sign that read, "Pat me down, Officer, I have concealed weapons!" It took me three days but I finally got up the nerve to make the sign and hold it as I cheered.

I was a hit! Oh my goodness, those walkers LOVED the sign. And the cops did, too! I did not mind "taking one for the team". A pat down for the cause was well worth it!

I love how the officer on the right planned out this action shot. Hilarious!


Oh yeah, guys, bring it on!


I was so dangerous, the sergeant had to get involved. LOL!


Ut oh, full TSA pat down involved here!



Overall, I greatly enjoyed my experience as a cheerleader!

But even more so, I got a lot of feedback from the walkers at closing ceremonies that I was a great encouragement to them and that is what it is all about. Two of them even gave me their finisher roses. So sweet!



Kim was thrilled that I made the sign...and that I received such great responses to it! She is already planning a "Pat Me Down" cheerleading theme for next November. I can't wait to start training and fundraising for next year. My cheerleaders/walker stalkers are going to be a huge hit on the course!

Day 2--November 20

My fellow Boob Crew'er, Mike, joined the 3 Day Crew as an official "welcomer" to lunch time. He referred to himself as the "Hug Whore" and practically set a world's record for how many hugs a guy can get in a hour. However, he did realize that the guy walkers weren't as excited about hugging him, and assigned me to be the unofficial guy hugger. Oh, the sacrifices we make in the duty of cheerleading!


I got to know certain faces and costumes that first lunch, and would see some of the guys over and over again. Here are my "Don't Be a Wimp" (aka Not Wimpy) boys.


And Pink Tie Guy!


And my "Pink Harley Shirt" guy. Hee hee, he started calling me "his girl" towards the end of the 3 day. So glad I could make his day! ;0)


Here are my Not Wimpy guys crossing the finish line with their team. Way to go, guys!!!


I so enjoyed cheerleading that I do believe I will alternate years of walking with years of cheerleading!

Day 1--November 19

As disappointed as I was to miss out on walking, I still found myself getting excited about being a cheerleader because I myself have been so incredibly blessed...and entertained...by the cheerleaders on the course in past walking years. Honestly, it feels so amazing to have so many crowds of people out cheering you on. There are some cheerleaders who "walker stalk" the course. You see them multiple times a day, and look forward to seeing their smiling faces and encouraging words/songs/dances.

The Hula Hooters are amongst my favorite. They often hold a sign that says: Body By 3 Day. Love these ladies and their infectious spirit!


When I grow up, I want to be a "Hooker for Hooters"! These ladies are AWESOME!

I loved that I got to "brush boobs", so to speak, with them at closing ceremonies. They loved my sign!


The "Hakuna Ma TaTa's" with their "Free Hugs" are awesome.


I think more and more of their cheerleaders have ended up walking but they still seem to have more "free hugger's" out on the course than the year before!.


Oh, the Melon Men! They are such fun guys!


And the pink wigged group. One of them is a survivor!

And one of their guys graciously offers his energy kisses. It took three days, but I realized I needed some energy and got one last year as I walked into downtown towards the finish line.


Even cheerleaders need energy so I made sure to get one this year, too!

And of course, generously returned the favor!

I heart his Kissteria sign!

The TAG Team are my absolute FAVORITES! They just show up along the course, whenever and wherever! Bill, the Boob on the left, is incredible. He's cheers have gotten me to keep walking when I wanted to quit more than once.



My goal was to become a familiar face of encouragement and find the spots where cheer leaders don't tend to frequent. I think I succeeded. What an amazing three day journey of my own I got to have as a cheerleader!