11/01/2006

(2006 THANK YOU)
Over the past several months many kind generous folks like yourself have reached into their pockets to help fund the fight against breast cancer. You may have found a fundraising flamingo on your front door and paid to move it along to your best friend. Perhaps you attended one of many breast cancer fundraising events. Maybe you received a letter in the mail asking for your help. Some of you have supported my efforts in this fight for several years. Many of you barely know me. Whatever your situation I thank you from the very bottom of my heart for your help in this fight.

With your help this year I was able to send $4,837 to the Susan G Komen Breast Cancer 3 Day and walk 60 miles in both Seattle and San Diego. These two walks raised over $18 million for this important fight!! This money is already busy at work funding breast cancer research and local community outreach.

The walks were absolutely amazing. It?s so hard to put into words the emotion of spending three days with literally thousands of dedicated men and women with one goal?the eradication of breast cancer.

Along the way I was witness to countless acts of kindness & compassion. Some were as simple as the helping hand of a stranger up the endless hills of Seattle or arriving in tent city to find a young Girl Scout putting up my tent so I didn?t have to.

The community involvement in both cities was amazing. On the route many, many signs encouraged us and made us laugh. Simple things took on new meaning?a piece of candy at the top of the hill from a small child, cheerleaders cheering us along the route, a stranger offering to take our picture, or even the elderly lady in San Diego that had a sign in her yard offering her flush toilet?
and yes I took her up on that one!

The end of each day found me showering in the back of a semi-truck, enjoying good food and entertainment, including dancing to a live band Saturday night, and then crawling exhausted but smiling into my tent to grab some
sleep before heading out for the next 20 miles in the morning. Sound exhausting? It is. But it is also one of the most rewarding things I?ve ever been a part of.

Next September you will find me walking in Seattle once again as the captain of my team of Kindred Spirits. This year our team of 86 raised $210,000. Next year our goal is 250 teammates raising $550,000+. Will you join us?

To join me on this journey log on to www.the3day.org and register for the Seattle 07 Breast Cancer 3 Day. Be sure to join my team of Kindred Spirits! If you are not able to walk but would like to support this important cause please visit the website and donate to my fundraising efforts online. Either way I appreciate your support!

Penny Kellam