Networking with Heart

Networking can be beneficial for many obvious reasons; to gain contacts, earn new business, make friends, seek employment, just to name a few. There is a reason that some individuals network that is not often discussed, perhaps because it is networking in an uncommon form. Plain and simple, it is networking for a charitable cause. The social networks that come together for charitable organizations and events create an enormous community of their own, combining so many other established communities already. They bring together people of different genders, religions, ages, ethnic backgrounds, socio-economic status, and regardless of the differences, everyone is their supporting a cause (and usually one very close to their heart). I had the fortunate opportunity to take part in an amazing event for the first time recently this year. For those of you who have never had the chance to participate in one of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3 day walks around the country, I would like to take you inside one of the most memorable experiences of my life.

Over the 3 days and 60 miles of the walk, I endured both emotional and physical highs and lows that I had never entertained in the past (and I can speak for my best friend pictured here as well). There were blisters. There were MANY blisters. There were also sprained ankles, road rash, shin splints, muscle aches, swollen feet, sore legs, but most of all, smiling faces and encouraging words. I never heard a whiny voice or a complaint. What I did hear were some amazing stories being shared, and witnessed many new friends being made. I met mother and daughter teams from all over the country, and women who had walked 2,3,4, 5, and even more years in a row for this particular event.

The bottom line is that it wasn’t about me at all. It’s about reaching out to hundreds of complete strangers, when you are the most vulnerable, and eliciting the most sincere and moving responses that create solid connections very quickly within the 3 day community. The amount of pain I experienced was more than balanced out by the inspirational passing comments and the constant reminder of the pain and suffering that those who have battled the disease have experienced as well. And let me tell you, the amount of food we received on a daily basis was almost inspiring enough. We had eggs, bacon, biscuits, oatmeal, fruit, yogurt, peanut butter and jelly graham cracker sandwiches (definitely a favorite), chicken marsala, spaghetti, turkey sandwiches, chocolate éclairs, cheesecake, and that is just half of it.

Over the three days I learned that the number of cases of men being diagnosed with breast cancer is increasing. I also learned that in a majority of the cases of women being diagnosed, there was no prior family history of the disease. Every 3 minutes someone is diagnosed with breast cancer, and every 13 minutes someone loses their life to the disease.

Some people walked in memory of their mothers, others walked in honor of their sisters, and many walked for themselves. No matter why they were there or for whom they walked, the almost 2,000 participants of this year’s Susan G. Komen’s 3 Day walk in Tampa, FL were all unified by one thing; HOPE. The 5.4 million dollars that was raised in the Tampa Bay area alone was collected in the hope that we are one step closer to finding a cure for breast cancer. Though October has passed, the awareness of the disease should not fade. If you are looking to expand your horizons, I highly recommend networking for a cause.

To all those who walked with me or participated in the walk in the past, I have tremendous respect for you. To all those who walked as a survivor, I think you are amazing. To all those who helped me along my journey, thank you. To all those who read this and are affected by the disease, there is hope and I walked for you. I also walked in memory of my grandmother who lost her life to breast cancer and for my aunt who is a survivor. Everyone deserves a lifetime!

A Holiday gift, with a personal touch

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