Lifestyle
Pura Vida x dixie on dallas x Breast Cancer
Oct 18, 2016 — by Cheyenne Joyner
How it all got started.
2014 was the year that I did something for myself and for so many others—in very different ways. For others, I was fighting to help find a cure for breast cancer. A huge task. I had pledged to walk 60 miles with my best friend to fund research to find a cure to hopefully one day stop breast cancer altogether. Little did I know, it was going to impact my life more than I ever could have imagined.
I asked my friend Elisabeth if I could walk with her in 2014. I was nervous because she had done the walk before and I didn't want her to think I was trying to steal her thunder. She is an active cancer philanthropist and thankfully welcomed me into her group. We went on training walks and bought matching gear. She gave me the tips and tricks to fight all things blisters and boobies.
The walk.
Right from the very beginning I knew this was where I was meant to be. Seeing so many people walking for the same cause was truly amazing. Day 1 was overwhelming in the best way possible. There was an energy like nothing else, lots of spirit, emotions, and pink. Lots and lots of pink. The same excitement carried over to Day 2. The walk was around Mission Bay, so the view was great and the path made it easy for friends and family to come. By mile 30, I needed to see the people that helped me get there. The people who helped me fundraise and make posters, and who offered continuous support. It gave me the strength I needed to keep going after passing the halfway mark. The emotions started rolling in on Day 3. I couldn’t believe how far I had walked and how many touching stories I had heard along the way. I've known many women who have been affected by breast cancer and my hate for this disease is what fuels my fire to keep walking, that day and everyday. As soon as I turned on Park Blvd. and made the descent into the last mile my legs were no longer tired and I was ready to fight even harder to do my part to find a cure.
The experience.
To say that I do the 3-Day walk every year solely for breast cancer research, funding, and finding a cure would be a lie. I also do it for myself. Now I do not have cancer so let's not get confused, but there is a selfish part of me that does it as sort of a mental healing. Walking past signs that say "I'm alive because you walk" will never leave my memory. Helping someone in this way is the best part of who I am as a philanthropist. Each year that I walk, I pray that I don't know anyone who has breast cancer. One day, I hope, events like this will not even exist because there will be a cure. I'm so grateful to potentially be a part of that.
Pura Vida Bracelets x dixie on dallas x Breast Cancer
I was so excited for the opportunity to team up with Pura Vida. I've admired their work and business model for a long time. Having the support of a local company is so rad and I can't wait to walk wearing my new breast cancer Ella & Ivory bracelets this year. I've created specialty prints for my modern calligraphy business, dixie on dallas. When purchased, all proceeds will benefit the Susan G. Komen foundation as well as help me get to the 3-Day walk again. These simple motivational quotes are perfect for the fighter in you and the survivor in every breast cancer patient.
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