Home » Health & Wellness » Breast Cancer Research » Bear Mountain to Central Park - A Labor of Love

Bear Mountain to Central Park - A Labor of Love

© Linda Bily

Editor's note: Due to the tragedy at the World Trade Center, the New York Aveon Breast Cancer 3 Day has been postponed until October 26, 2001. I will update you upon my return.

The day this is published I will be recuperating at home from four days in a near perfect world, exhausted, yet exhilarated. The Avon Breast Cancer 3 Day takes place September 21st through the 23rd. I participated last year as a walker, which included fund-raising, training and walking 60 miles in three days. There is a previous article about this adventure if you are interested.

This year, I decided to attend again, but as a "crew" member. Avon sponsors this breast cancer event in 8 different cities throughout the United States. Last year, over $50 million dollars was raised for breast cancer. The New York event will encompass over 3000 walkers, a crew of 600 and 500+ volunteers.

The three days spent with these people, in this environment, rank right up there as a highlight of my life, paling just below the birth of my children. There are many different options as a crew member. You can be under the guidance of Security, Motorcycle Patrol, Hydration, Communications, Road Services, Medical, Camp Staff, Meals, Signage, etc.

Pallotta Teamworks, which runs the event, takes it all very seriously and the entire process runs like a well-oiled machine. There was an orientation meeting in Manhattan. We listened to descriptions of each job, were told details about the 4 days (one day of preparation at Bear Mountain, followed by 3 days "on the road", living in a mobile city. We were interviewed as to WHY we wan't to "crew" and how we thought we could be effective.

Since I had walked before, I understood most of the logistics. Having injured my leg on my 3 Day and been forced onto the shuttle bus for a few miles, I knew how devastating it felt and wanted to be there for the walkers this year. I received an assignment as a "bus liason". It's kind of like a camp counselor on the move. We cheer, we commiserate, we hydrate and we console. Back in camp, I know I will be expected to pitch in wherever they need me. That's fine with me.

From the moment you board your shuttle bus on Thursday, you step into a fantasy world. The way the world could be, but isn't. Everyone is there because they want to be there. Kindness, courtesy, gentleness, love, passion, concern - these are all real and not one of over 4000 people complains. People wait in line and smile at each other. A stranger will offer you a hand to make it up over the next hill. Someone gets you a cup of coffee when you look fatigued. Self-appointed cheerleaders applaud your every step of each mile. The stories that are shared are heart-warming. The emotions overwhelming. It's a phenomenal experience, one that I hope to repeat annually for years to come.

The copyright of the article Bear Mountain to Central Park - A Labor of Love in Breast Cancer Research is owned by Linda Bily. Permission to republish Bear Mountain to Central Park - A Labor of Love in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.