February 23, 2010 @ 9:48 am

To Walk In The Light

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PurpleStride South Bay, El Segundo, CA (10)
The town was dressed in purple…balloons, ribbons, tee shirts and glitter. Ladies wore tutus, cars with streamers flew by; purple was everywhere and we were loving it. We actually began preparing for the PurpleStride walk, which promotes awareness as well as provides financial support for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, at 5:30 on Saturday morning. As my mom and I (she came with me this time-oh, so much fun) were arranging registration tables, sorting shirts and organizing papers, we anxiously awaited the arrival of the many participants. With this being the very first PurpleStride fundraiser walk in Los Angeles (they happen all over the country in various cities each year), excitement was at an all-time high. Complete with face painting and balloon animals for the kids to appetizers and fruit parfaits for the grown ups, the first PurpleStride event was sure to be unforgettable.
As participants began filing in, I was helping with the Silent Auction and Raffle while my mom was directing purple-decorated cars to the designated location. Shortly after, all had signed in and we were ready to get started. Just before the Walk began, a ceremony honoring pancreatic cancer survivors, as well as those who were no longer with us, allowed all to celebrate. Stories of those in recovery inspired those currently battling the disease. There was one girl, presently living overseas, who wrote a letter to her father, a local pancreatic cancer survivor, just before the event. He was in a wheelchair with his family by his side. She thanked him for his support, his love and his belief in her ability to succeed. Tissues wiped the tears that streamed down their faces as she expressed her admiration for her father who, despite doctors anticipating only four months left for him, sixteen months later was still alive, continuing to inspire those around him. The letter was clearly moving to the family, but also to those who weren’t sure they would survive, and to their friends and family who needed them.
Shortly after, to the sounds of Black Eyed Peas singing, “Tonight’s gonna be a good night,” a sea of purple began moving toward a path; a path that led to hope, independence and a feeling that regardless of a diagnosis, caused survivors to feel present, able to fight. They could be confident knowing that not only would people have moments by which to remember them, but also that they were leaving behind a legacy if you will, one that clearly represented their hope for the world’s future. Some walked quickly, some more slowly, but all with the same intentions motivating them; raising the funds to eventually find a cure to a disease that in the United States affects over 42,000 people each year, and is the fourth leading cause of death related to cancer. While recovery is still quite rare, with more funding available, the more research that will be performed, and consequently the greater the likelihood to finding a cure. I’m not sure if anyone reading has been touched by this illness, but regardless, as I watched these people take steps that had to be painful, wearing hats to disguise the loss of their hair I was inspired; inspired to give back, inspired to be better.
As the crowd finished the Walk and piled back around the stage, winners were announced, goodbyes were said. I couldn’t help but think that I’d received much more from the experience than I’d given. I was quite okay with that however as I’m finding that to happen more and more.
While El Segundo isn’t known as the City of Angels like its neighboring Los Angeles, it was apparent that the angels had made their way toward this town to support PurpleStride. With tons of California rain leading up to this beautiful day of clear skies and the sun shining, it was also clear that for reasons not apparent to us, we were right with the world. After the day ended and we’d packed the remains of such a successful event, my mom and I headed back to our hotel. As we clicked through the various channels, of all movies, “Ghost,” was playing. Of course it stars Patrick Swayze as Sam, a very good-looking, charming man who unfortunately is caught between this world and the afterworld. It was widely known that Patrick suffered from pancreatic cancer for almost two years before passing in 2009. The role of Sam was one of the most memorable ever created in my opinion, and although the movie was at its’ very end my mom asked to keep it playing as his monologue is absolutely unbelievable and was incredibly relevant to this day. As Molly, Demi Moore’s character, fights back tears, Sam assures her, “I love you Molly, I’ve always loved you.” And then he continues with the most incredible words you may possibly ever hear, “It’s amazing Molly, the love inside, you take it with you.” Whatever my future holds, whatever the future for the amazing people I met here, the love is what’s most important; the love we show ourselves and the love we share with one another. The people here know that, and I thank them for helping me realize it just a bit more.
Note: To Kristin, who makes walking just a bit easier for everyone

PurpleStride South Bay, El Segundo, CA (10)

The town was dressed in purple…balloons, ribbons, tee shirts and glitter. Ladies wore tutus, cars with streamers flew by; purple was everywhere and we were loving it. We actually began preparing for the PurpleStride walk, which promotes awareness as well as provides financial support for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, at 5:30 on Saturday morning. As my mom and I (she came with me this time-oh, so much fun) were arranging registration tables, sorting shirts and organizing papers, we anxiously awaited the arrival of the many participants. With this being the very first PurpleStride fundraiser walk in Los Angeles (they happen all over the country in various cities each year), excitement was at an all-time high. Complete with face painting and balloon animals for the kids to appetizers and fruit parfaits for the grown ups, the first PurpleStride event was sure to be unforgettable.

As participants began filing in, I was helping with the Silent Auction and Raffle while my mom was directing cars decorated in guess what, yep, purple to the designated location. Shortly after, all had signed in and we were ready to get started. Just before the Walk began, a ceremony honoring pancreatic cancer survivors, as well as those who were no longer with us, allowed all to celebrate. Stories of those in recovery inspired those currently battling the disease. There was one girl, presently living overseas, who wrote a letter to her father, a local pancreatic cancer survivor, just before the event. He was in a wheelchair with his family by his side. She thanked him for his support, his love and his belief in her ability to succeed. Tissues wiped the tears that streamed down their faces as she expressed her admiration for her father who, despite doctors anticipating only four months left for him, sixteen months later was still alive, continuing to inspire those around him. The letter was clearly moving to the family, but also to those who weren’t sure they would survive, and to their friends and family who needed them.

Shortly after, to the sounds of Black Eyed Peas singing, “Tonight’s gonna be a good night,” a sea of purple began moving toward a path; a path that led to hope, independence and a feeling that regardless of a diagnosis, caused survivors to feel present, able to fight. They could be confident knowing that not only would people have moments by which to remember them, but also that they were leaving behind a legacy if you will, one that clearly represented their hope for the world’s future. Some walked quickly, some more slowly, but all with the same intentions motivating them; raising the funds to eventually find a cure to a disease that in the United States affects over 42,000 people each year, and is the fourth leading cause of death related to cancer. While recovery is still quite rare, with more funding available, the more research that will be performed, and consequently the greater the likelihood to finding a cure. I’m not sure if anyone reading has been touched by this illness, but regardless, as I watched these people take steps that had to be painful, wearing hats to disguise the loss of their hair I was inspired; inspired to give back, inspired to be better.

As the crowd finished the Walk and piled back around the stage, winners were announced, goodbyes were said. I couldn’t help but think that I’d received much more from the experience than I’d given. I was quite okay with that however as I’m finding that to happen more and more.

While El Segundo isn’t known as the City of Angels like its neighboring Los Angeles, it was apparent that the angels had made their way toward this town to support PurpleStride. With tons of California rain leading up to this beautiful day of clear skies and the sun shining, it was also clear that for reasons not apparent to us, we were right with the world. After the day ended and we’d packed the remains of such a successful event, my mom and I headed back to our hotel. As we clicked through the various channels, of all movies, “Ghost,” was playing. Of course it stars Patrick Swayze as Sam, a very good-looking, charming man who unfortunately is caught between this world and the afterworld. It was widely known that Patrick suffered from pancreatic cancer for almost two years before passing in 2009. The role of Sam was one of the most memorable ever created in my opinion, and although the movie was at its’ very end my mom asked to keep it playing as his monologue is absolutely unbelievable and was incredibly relevant to this day. As Molly, Demi Moore’s character, fights back tears, Sam assures her, “I love you Molly, I’ve always loved you.” And then he continues with the most incredible words you may possibly ever hear, “It’s amazing Molly, the love inside, you take it with you.” Whatever my future holds, whatever the future for the amazing people I met here, the love is what’s most important; the love we show ourselves and the love we share with one another. The people here know that, and I thank them for helping me realize it just a bit more.

Note: To Kristin, who makes walking just a bit easier for everyone and to Deborah, for a new friend

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