Mardi-bras: September 2008

Well, we made it.

4,757 participants raised over 13 million dollars and walked 60k in this year's Toronto Weekend To End Breast Cancer!

It was awesome...It was really wet, but awesome.

The oldest walker to ever finish the full 60k came in at 96 years old! Well done! (She actually looked like she was in better shape than me at the finish line.)

There are so many people I want to thank. $3,550.40 in fund raising and 60k walking doesn't happen without a tremendous amount of support.

Starting with my family, who pledged generously, leant cars, equipment, time and skills to Mardi Bras, who canvassed their neighbours for an enormous garage sale, held a BBQ and Poker tournament and even my 2 year old niece who helped out selling buttons!

Heather, Me, Jay

To my Auntie Linda, Uncle Brian, Kim, Glen, Montana & Savannah: For posting this awesome sign on the lawn! It was right on our walking route before lunch. You have no idea how great that was for our morale!

To my friends: I've often said that I know the best people, and you guys proved that once again with all of your pledges, your incredible creations for Mardi Bras, the amazing number of you who came out and made that so successful. For your phone calls, emails, and text messages along the route. It easy to get discouraged over 60k, blisters, in the rain, and in all ways big and small, you guys kept me going.
An extra special thank you to Heather, Kally and Owen for coming all the way up from Burlington to cheer us on! I kept the hugs you sent me on with to keep me warm, the entire way.

Kally, Heather, Me

To my teammates: For their salty humor, drive and especially Carolyn's ability to find the up side to everything. A special mention to all of those wonderful people we met along the route. Everyone who shared a laugh, a cry, a story, contributed to making this entire weekend extraordinary and memorable.

Me, Sandy & Carolyn first Marker, Day 1

Carolyn & Me on Blister Patrol

Sandy & Carolyn at one of the decorated homes

It's funny how in a sea of 5,000 people, you're bound to run into (or almost sit on) someone you know. This is Tammy Shantz, friend from ages ago and good friend of my Sister-in-law

Day 2 - Me and Carolyn at the final marker before the finish!

To my co-workers: All the awesome folks at Nelvana and Cuppa Coffee Animation who came out, pledged, donated swag and wished me well Friday. You guys are the best!

To the Weekend Staff: The Crew was AWESOME. The food was great, the base camp was a riot. The medical staff!! Nurse Norma, if I ever have a daughter I'm naming her after YOU! You all made the entire weekend so much fun.

To everyone who decorated their homes, made signs, who came out to cheer, who pledged, to the Mardi Bras artists, models, team Cola and everyone who helped out in all ways big and small. I thank you. Sincerely.

In saving the best for last, a very special thank you to my sweet heart. He wore a pink tie to Mardi Bras, he canvassed his hockey team and co-workers for pledges, sold tickets, and brought me warm dry shoes and socks and a large hot coffee to a cheering station all the way down town in the rain. Who brought me home, made me dinner and keeps me all around spoiled rotten.

13 million dollars is going to see an end to cancer in out life time!!

Some more photos:

Roma's Roses, good show of team spirit!

Opening ceremonies 7am, in the rain.

Pink ribbon hair!

There's something really unwholesome about a guy with boobs on his head sitting in a playground.

This was a big highlight for me. I've been helping Randy Mellon over at www.thinkpinkdirect.com. Doing design work for t-shirts, hats, mugs etc. There were tons of them everywhere! That was cool. :)