Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure-St. Louis

Yesterday was the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure here in St. Louis.  The St. Louis race is the biggest race in the country.  Over $3 Million was raised to help in researching a cure for breast cancer.  I have read estimates of anywhere from 60,000 to 70,000 registered participants and countless unregistered (people who just showed up to walk anyway) and kids. 

We formed a team for my sister-in-law, Debbie.  Debbie was diagnosed with breast cancer in February of this year and is currently undergoing chemotherapy.  She only has 2 more sessions to go (yay!) and then we will see what the follow-up treatment is.

As soon as Debbie was diagnosed, I knew that I wanted to form a team to walk in her honor.  I have always wanted to participate in the race but there was always a wedding or some other event that kept me from doing it.  Not this year, though.  My friend, Sue, suggested the name Debbie's Breast Friends and my Susie's (my niece) friend designed a shirt for us.  Another friend, Kendra, suggested a lady who could do the t-shirts and then our friends and family all signed up and donated to the cause.

We honored our friends and family who have had breast cancer by putting their names on the back.  At the top are our angels and at the bottom are our fighters.

Debbie rented a bus for anyone who wanted to ride down and not have to deal with traffic and parking.  There were a few people who met us downtown.  I wish we would have gotten a pictue with all of us but it was just madness down there and nearly impossible to keep our group altogether.  Here is a pic of everyone who rode the bus:

Debbie got all of us pink bandanas, breast cancer beads, and pink ribbon tattoos.

My new favorite picture of us.  Love him.

This is before the race started.  Look at how many people are milling around.



And, we're off.

Some in our group just could not take all of the excitement.  Sweet Baby Caleb slept the entire walk.

There's a point on the race where you come up over this hill and the only word I can use to describe it, is breathtaking.  I was in complete awe of how many people were participating.

Yes!  Those are all people on Olive Boulevard.  I just cannot put into words what it felt like to be one of this many people.

I talked to my dad last night and told him that it truly made me realize that in the scheme of life, I am just a raindrop in a thunderstorm.  I have never seen so many people at one time in one place.  

At the end of the walk, there was a special Survivor Finish Line.  Each Survivor was given a pink rose by a Rams cheerleader and then they crossed the Finish Line.  I am so glad that I thought to run over and take pics of Debbie getting her rose and crossing the line.

This was one of the most emotional moments.  Just knowing that everyone in that line in a pink shirt has breast cancer is overwhelming.  Debbie got emotional there just talking to other people going through the same thing that she is.  I love the son and mom right behind Debbie holding their hands up together. 

We did it!

I said in a Facebook status that yesterday was probably one of the most emotional days of my life.  Just to see so many peopl affected by this horrible disease and to see so many friends and family come out to support them.  It helped put things into perspective, if only for a little while.  I am so grateful that I was able to experience this with Debbie and the rest of our friends and family.  It was amazing.

After the race, Debbie's good friends, Pam and Ed, invited our whole group back to their house for lunch and swimming.  They were so gracious in opening up their home to us and it really was a great way to end the day!