Why Walk?
Why walk for counseling? Why publicize the benefits of emotional support? Why raise money for qualitative issues like community and quality of life instead of quantitative issues like number of white blood cells and milligrams of experimental chemotherapy?
I don't regret that there is no cure for brain cancer. When I think about Mom, I regret that she probably felt alone even amidst her friends and family. I regret that she didn't have the emotional support of other people experiencing the same hopes and fears--of the radiation mask, losing her hair, and ultimately of dying.
I don't walk in regret. I walk in the spirit of supportive communities like Pathways-Life After Cancer. I walk to bring meaning and importance to my Mom's death. I walk to pay tribute to and continue her life's work of helping others. By choosing meaningful work in light of her seemingly senseless illness, I walk to find peace.
I don't pretend that my walking 2,000 miles can cure cancer. But I do believe that by walking 2,000 miles, with your help, we can affect a community of cancer patients and survivors.
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