Breast Cancer 3 Day

[pumpkinfish]

I am strongly considering thinking of joining this for the Boston dates in August. Each person has to raise $2200 and pay $90 to sign-up.

I've never done anything like this before but this is really speaking to me. I'm hoping to get a team together with at least 2 other people.

My concern is raisng the $2200. Has anyone done this before? Any tips or ideas to help me along? Also, on the sign-up page there is a promotion code I can input to decrease the $90 sign up fee (I think that's what it's for). Does anyone have one?

I posted this thread here on the Budget boards because I sure don't have a lot of money and need help with this one. I know everyone here is so informatative and helpful.

I would appreciate any feedback given please

 

[lacool]

I did the 3-day from Baltimore to Washington DC in 2002. At that time I had to raise $1800 or $1900. I can't remember the exact amount. I sent out a letter to all of my family, old college friends, neighbors, and anyone else I could think of to hit up. It was a very personal letter, detailing how my life had been personally affected by breast cancer, and with my family history that I was concerned about my daughters, who were 3 and 5 at the time. I far exceeded my goal.

They make the fundraising even easier now, because you can set up a website and people can donate to you right online. I donated to a friend of a friend a couple years ago that way.

The fund-raising part is very intimidating. I HATE asking people for money. But the cause is so important and the need is so great that I had to move beyond my personal fears. In the end I benefitted as well. The training for the walk helped me to exceed my Weight Watchers goal and in 2006 I ran the Disney Marathon, because I knew I had walked 20 miles a day for 3 days in a row ... how bad could run/walking 26.2 miles be?!!

It was a great experience! I can't recommend it enough!

 

[pickles521]

I did it last year with a friend. I'm glad I did. I doubt I'll do it again.

The training was grueling. We essentially gave up every weekend for 6 months to prepare for it (keep in mind, we were non-exercisers and overweight). It was awesome, though. We went from barely being able to walk 2 miles to not even thinking about anything under 12 miles. We both lost a lot of weight and got a lot of quality time with each other and the dog. The training was the fun part for us.

The event was ok. We learned after the fact that a lot of people don't actually walk the distance. They walk a couple miles, then get on the bus and go back to camp and party. Nothing wrong with that, we just didn't know it was an option (and probably wouldn't have taken it if we had known) We also didn't know that you don't HAVE to stop at every stop. This woulda been a huge deal for us. Oh well. The opening ceremonies were quite moving, we missed the closing ceremonies because they took me off the course about 12 miles from the end with a broken foot. There's definately a common sense of purpose with all those people, and some AMAZING stories of struggle and survival and memory.

Now - the fundraising. This sucked, to put it mildly. We're not social people. The thought of door to door or bake sales was out of the question for us. so we struggled. We ended up both making it through asking family, friends, coworkers and finally my employer, but it was tough. We entered knowing full well that we may end up paying every penny ourselves.

Reading this, it sounds a bit harsh. I'm VERY glad we did it, for personal gain and for the cause. We'll probably never walk it again, but we've considered volunteering and will definately donate to people doing it. I say, if it moves you, do it. It's worth the experience - because everyone deserves a lifetime.

Good luck.

 

[mnasmom3]

I did the Avon Walk last year in June where our fundraising was set at a min of $1800 to walk. It is intimidating, for sure. I, too, don't like asking people for money. I did a couple of bake sales where I put up a poster explaining my efforts and put pictures of my family and friends who are victims/survivors. I made a little money that way. I also put out a donation can (that my dd held sometimes and that always drew in a little extra change). I made some pink beaded jewelry, bookmarks, and keychains that I sold to raise money. I bought a tub of pink rubber bracelets from Oriental Trading and sold those. I sent out letters to everyone and everyone I knew. I included a self addressed envelope for them to send checks if they wished. That worked really well. But, the single best thing I did was group together with the few girls I was walking with and host a benefit night. We hit the town asking local businesses (as well as individuals who had somethong to offer) for money donations or items to be donated and we raffled them off. We also did a 50/50 raffle that night. We had some great prized to be awarded and we made a lot of money. Someone donated tickets from their season pass baseball tickets. Someone who works for an airline donated his *buddy passes*. Those big items brought in quite a few dollars. We also had restaurant gift cards, salon gift cards, car wash gift cards, etc. We hosted the benefit at a friends house and got much of the food donated by local restaurants and one pizza place sold us party pizzas for $5 each. I hit up grocery and party stores who donated a case or 2 of bottled water or soda. Anyway, a benefit night was a huge profit maker. I also asked Walmart if I could ask for donations at their door. They allowed it but I never went. I sent a walker buddy friends instead and she said that went well.

Good luck to you! I know it's hard to imagine getting the funds and training complete, but it was such a great experience.

 

[dsnygrl2003]

I did the 3 day back in 1999 the first year it was held here in Atlanta. The fund raising was hard, we only had to raise 1800. I talked to everyone I knew and so did my SO and still ended up short. I paid nearly 300.00 of my own money to do it. Also when we were in the check in line, there were people who raised over thier amount needed and they offered part of thier funds to help others out that were short.

That said it was an amazing experience. I would do it again in a heartbeat for the walking part but there is not way I will ever be able to raise the money that is needed. It is such an amazing feeling to hear all the stories. Then when you are walking along there are people who line the paths with signs encouraging you to go and thanking you for walking. We passed a school the first day and the kids were lined up outside with signs and were clapping for us as we passed, it dosn't get much better than that. Many people got injured that first day because there was a long strech of road that we had to walk like 4 miles on the shoulder of the road. It was very uneven and unmowed, it caused many knee and ankle problems myself included. Still not many quit. The last day I walked 17 miles with ice packs attatched to both my knees. I got a lot of well bless you hearts, that day. If not for the money I would do it all over again.

 

[ceroarty]

I did it last year in Atlanta and have already signed up to do it again. The feeling you get walking this is amazing. Also, to think that Atlanta, Ga alone raised 6-6 million dollars last year. That is alot of money for research and hopefully someday a cure. The fundraising was intimidating but people really open up their wallets for this cause. I guess because everyone probably knows someone affected by theis terrible disease. Also, the 3 day website gives you alot of great ideas on how to raise the money. And as someone said people who raised their money came to check in with thier extra money and were helping people out. Training was tough but you met so many great people every weekend. Also, you really don't to give up every weekend. I probably did every other weekend worth of training walks and I was fine. As you can see I am very for this cause and would highly recommend doing it if you feel it calling you. That is how I got started last year(I fellt a calling) and believe me no one ever thought I would do anything like this at all. If you wast to send me your email address I could send you a link to my pictures of the event.

I think the field for a promo code was for people that have walked last year. We were able to get 50 dollars off the registration. However, I am not aware of a general code for everyone.

Also, you will need to invest in a really good pair of sneakers. Believe me it will save your feet from alot of pain.

 

[happydisfamilyof4]

A friend and I just signed up to do our first walk in Tampa this year. We are also leery of the fundraising, especially since we live in Belgium and the walk is not as well known. However, we are pretty committed to doing this and figure if it came down to the end and we had not raised the full amount and we have to pitch in some to be able to walk then so be it. But, we made sure our families were on board with that prospect before we signed up. Good luck in making your decision and good luck with the training -- we actually started our training this week !

 

[CarolA]

I did it several years ago when Avon still sponsored it. At that time they did expect you to walk. They had sweeper vans but they were just vans not buses. (And folks who got swept didn't seem to party. My tentmate got swept day two when she fell and got hurt. She came back and set up tents!)

It was truly a moving experience and I cried like a baby at the closing. As I told my friends... as much as I love pink, I DO NOT want a pink T-shirt from here. (Survivors got pink everyone else got Navy)

I am considering doing it again. I think the fund raising might be easier this time. I have a close group of friends who just finished dealing with the cancer treatment of one of us.....


I did have to pay part of mine last time.

Ceroaty, does Atlanta do any training events? I am living in Chamblee and don't really know anyone to train with so that would help.

The training was a big committment. i would still do it again! It does change your life in some way. The pride I got from those last few miles and the overall love... (Do the biker dudes still direct traffic, they were a riot. Big Heck's Angel types who were as cuddly with all these women as teddy bears and so encouraging!)

 

[pumpkinfish]

Wow! Look at all these responses! I'm heading to work now but will read up on everyone's thoughts when I come home later.

Thanks again for your ideas

 

[Katie's Mom]

I did the Philadelphia 3 day in October 2006. It was, next to the birth of my daughter, the greatest achievement of my life. I lost my mom in September 2005, and did the walk in her memory. I too was terrified at the though of raising $2200! I thought I could never raise the funds, but I did!!! The secret is to start early and ask everyone you know. I did it through email, but know that others mail letters. I had planned to walk alone but my best friend, who I will owe forever for doing this with me, decided to join me. This was wonderful but it did affect the number of my potential donors. That said we both raised the $2200 without having to contribute any funds.

I have to agree with what another poster stated in the number of hours involved for training and that many do not actually walk the entire 60 miles. I think this is because many are not physically ready for the challenge, and I can understand the need for the buses from one stop to the next. My mother suffered tremendously so I kept telling myself if she could fight as hard as she did then I could tough this out. When we crossed the finish line and our families were there to greet us I knew I had made the right decision by participating in the walk. If it is the fundraising that is holding you back, please do not let this be a deterrent. You will be pleasantly surprised by the support you will receive.

Good luck!

 

[will2010]

Nice event, i wish i could attend.

 

[kelly1218]

I registered for this year's Philly 3 day.

I've never done this before.... so I can't really help with that aspect.

But they DO offer about $25 off the registration. They just ended a promo code about a week ago.

If you get yourself on the email list....they will email you when it comes up again.

 

[hmdavid]

Don't forget to utilize social networking sites like facebook and twitter to get the word out to your family and friends that you are walking and link people to your donation website. You will be surprised how many people will donate that way! Good luck!

 

[LastLookAtTheCastle]

I've done three - Boston, San Diego, and DC. I'm doing DC again this year. The Boston walk (if it's similar to the one I did) was beautiful... through gorgeous little New England towns. The second day was through woods, and while some of the more urban walkers weren't happy with it, I loved it.

You will never regret it. Besides the birth of my two children, it's the most amazingly human thing I've ever done. I always feel stronger and more alive afterward the walks.

Yes, training is grueling. It's tougher than the fundraising - I've never had a problem making my minimum. For both, start early. Also note, training is not about losing weight or getting into shape. This is an endurance event. Not a race. Training is about getting your feet and legs prepared for walking the distance, for the repetitive motion of hitting the ground for hours on end. You forgo pedicures for a few months before hand to toughen up your feet. You walk A LOT. If you follow the training guide, you will have NO PROBLEM completing the walk. After 180 3-Day miles, I'm proud to say I've only ever had four blisters, and they were minor.

As for other participants, everyone is there for their own reasons. Some people are there to have fun. Others are there to pay tribute. If you have your own reasons for being there, keep that in mind, and don't worry about what others do. Sweep vans? Use them if you need to (I have!) but don't judge others for doing so. Really, who cares?

Please also budget for expenses like shoes (you should have two pairs) and clothes. Good socks. Lots of BodyGlide.

 

[LastLookAtTheCastle]

(Do the biker dudes still direct traffic, they were a riot. Big Heck's Angel types who were as cuddly with all these women as teddy bears and so encouraging!)

Yep. There's one guy... huge rock of a man... who lost his first wife to breast cancer, and does most of the walks on the eastern seaboard. We like to dance at the crosswalks.

 

[krcit]

My bff did it by herself in Oct. I was so proud of her. She was scrambling for donations up until the day before but she managed to make the money. I wanted to do it with her but I hate to ask people for money and it's a lot of money. She did no training at all but managed to do the whole walk although she said she was beyond hurting the first night. She also ended up with a broken foot but she finished the walk