Anytime I want to complain or feel blue, I think about the annual Canadian breast cancer run.
Who are you running for?
That was the message on the front of the t-shirt of over 170 000 runners yesterday across Canada that took part in the 15th annual Run for the Cure in support of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.
The event raised over 30 million dollars.
To all involved you should be very, very, proud.
My wife and I decided to run in the event 7 years ago. At the time it was the first event that I had ever run in. Now it's an annual tradition.
Why?
The event goes way, and I mean way, beyond raising money.
Picture this, 30 000 people (in the run in Toronto) coming together in mind, body and spirit to honor, celebrate and support the courage of all women that have been affected by breast cancer.
All wearing t-shirts with the name/names of people who have inspired them in their fight against breast cancer.
Pretty powerful stuff.
Picture the sea of pink, boa's, hats, shorts, scarfs, bras (yes I said bras) coming together as ONE, for ONE cause.
Picture the survivors, now in the thousands, running together as ONE to celebrate life.
WOW!
Now picture thousands of people lining the streets cheering, holding up signs of support and love. Honoring and remembering the courage shown by thousands of women affected by breast cancer.
Emotional, inspiring, and truly uplifting.
So who was on the front of our t-shirts?
Two incredible, and I mean incredible, women by the name of Barbara and Allison.
My wife's Aunt Barbara survived breast cancer nine years longer than she was supposed too. She never once stopped living.
Even when she was going through her numerous very difficult treatment sessions....she never complained.
NEVER
 How many of us can go through a day without complaining?
She somehow always found the strength to smile, and always had a kind word of support to everyone she meet.
When I'm having a bad day, I often think of my wife's dear Aunt Barbara and the joy she brought to all of us.
Yesterday, I was running for her.
Joining Barabra on the front of my shirt was Allison.
Allison is the sister-in-law of my wife's best friend Kathy.
Allison has a beautiful family, two great kids, one fantastic husband, and is an outstanding athlete. You know those crazy events where you swim, cycle, and run all in one day?
Well, she eats those events up for breakfast.
She is also a proud mother who runs triathalons....pretty special stuff.
I've only meet Allison a few times, but I hear about her all the time from Kathy.
She was one of the runner's yesterday in the pink t-shirts. Only the survivors have the privledge to wear those.
She was out there yesterday, while today she is back in treatments.
Bravo Allison, strength, courage and love always wins.
The last time I saw Allison was last summer at the Calgary Stampede Parade. We walked together to grab a coffee before the Parade started.
It was one of those "everyday" moments that we often take for granted.
We had a great little chat and got caught up. I didn't think much of our little coffee break until recently when I heard of her journey with breast cancer .
Now I appreciate moments like that even more.
Thanks Allison.
I know your courage, strength, faith and love willl get you through this.
I'm looking forward to enjoying another coffee with you next summer.
But this time, it's my treat.
Yesterday I was running for Allison.
May the spirit of yesterday's event stay with all of us everyday of the year.
364 days until the 2009 Run for the Cure.
Shawn's inspiring presentation "Learning to Live, Living to Learn" is now available on DVD! Please visit: http://www.successtelevision.biz/shawnshephearddvd.html to order your copy. Click here to see all my blogs.  See my video on "Living with Diabetes":
Shawn Shepheard has worked extensively in the career development field, including recruitment, customer service, career management and leadership training. He is also a celebrated inspirational speaker and an active volunteer for the Canadian Diabetes Association. Visit www.shawnshepheard.com to inspire the audience at your next group event. Only registered users can write comments.
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