Thank you all for your support again this year...lucky 13! It was another amazing journey and I am extremely grateful to you for helping me to participate in this event each year. Collectively we raised $2.9 million this year and more than 1,200 strong were on the walk route. Over the last 13 years your gifts have helped to accelerate breast cancer research; improve access to screening, diagnosis and treatment; and educate people about breast cancer in the Boston area and around the country. Seven new grants were awarded during the Closing Ceremony this year to local breast cancer organizations, and additional grants will continue to be awarded throughout the year, adding to the more than $58 million donated by the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade to organizations in New England since 2001!
I hope you feel as proud as I do about our accomplishments over the last 13 years!!!
As with all of my previous walks I will not be alone on my journey. I am walking for our loved ones who heard first-hand the devastating diagnosis, "You have cancer," some more than once: In memory of Joyce Baffaro, Ann Page Blair, Aunt Bea, Aunt May, Sandy Block, Irma Corbett, Lewine Cormier, Robin Cormier, Essie Mae Dixon, Verna Eibner, Ann Emslie, Jason Estey, Filomena, Kathy Nelson Jones, Kathleen Joyce, Arthur Levine, Joan Levine, Martha Lyon, Nancy Lyon, Karen McAlarney, Pat McCarthy, Paula McCarthy, Anne Morcom, Brian O'Leary, Chris Otis, John Pahl, Chris Palmer, Pam Paradee, David Pavlik, Lisa Poisson, Arthur Provencher, Maria Rodd, Margaret Rogers, Jane Romine, Susan Simoneau, Mrs. Sprouse, Judy Sullivan, John Tate, Barbara Tedeschi, Patti Thomas, Marilyn Tuohig, Anna Videyko, and Martha Flynn Winton. In honor of Beth, Cecily, Donna, Donna Jean, Heather, Marion, Mary Ann, Patt, Saroj, Robin Allar, Amanda Allen, Meredith Audet, Sandra Bozzuto, Nancy Briggs, Janet Cooper, Cathy Donaldson, Neil Fish, Lisa Hayward, Debbie Love, Patrick Mulready, Barb Nelson, Karin Nelson, Loretta Reardon, Mary Routhier, Joanne Slowe, Pat Thornton, Mal Varnum and Rouleen Williams. If you have a loved one who is not named here please let me know so I can add her or him.
