Monday, October 25, 2010

The Philadelphia JDRF Walk To Cure Diabetes Was Awesome!!




Yesterday was the JDRF's Eastern Pa. Chapter's Walk to Cure Diabetes and it was fantastic!
According to reports, 8,000 walkers "walked the walk, and talked the talk" to help find a cure for diabetes.

It was a glorious day for the walk - The front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art & Eakins Oval was filled with a sea of walkers, loud music, sponsors, teams in colorful team shirts and kids in Halloween costumes.

There was strong feelings of energy, hope, and togetherness in the air and "The City of Brotherly Love" lived up to it's name yesterday - BIG TIME.

As I stood there on the steps of The Art Museum looking for Bennet, Penny, Gary and my friend's daughter Isabella, I thought about those I was walking for and felt a little overwhelmed. AND I was so glad that I had made the last minute decision to walk.

While I looked out into the crowd and scanned it for familiar face, Bennet ca
me up behind me and gave me a hug. Then I called Penny who was already literally walking right towards me with "Grace - Byrd is The Word," and Grace's lovely (and funny) big sister Lucy and everyone started hugging.

Together, we found Gary at the Omnipod tent and right then the walk started.
The girls and I separated from Bennet and Gary because Grace wanted to start walking ASAP!

Walking with those Diazonista's (both official and honorary) not only provided much needed company, conversation and laughs, but they ladies also deserve BIG KUDOS for putting up with me and my Psycho moments of almost losing my keys AND wearing to many la
yers of clothes - THANKS GUYS.

As of today, I've raised $361.00 in donation - which makes me happy.

If you'd still like to donate, click HERE.

And now for the photo montage!

Yours truly & Grace "Byrd is the word and of my heart" and the Philadelphia Art Museum Steps before the walk star
ted!
Photo Courtesy of Penny

Grace "Byrd is the word," Phantastical Penny, & The lovely Lucy under the Arch to enter West River Drive
Grace "Byrd is the word," Phantastical Penny, & The lovely Lucy under the arch way on West River Drive - and my baseball cap partially obstructing their view!

Sea of walkers and being stalked by the Paparazzi~


Gracie & I after the race - Turkey Hill provided the walkers individual cups of frozen yogurt - the best 19 grams of carbohydrates EVER!!
Photo Courtesy of Penny~

"And the cow jumped over the.....giant tub of ice cream??"

The elusive Turkey Hill giant tub of ice cream & Ginormous cow are neither myths or urban legends! Photo courtesy of my iPhone~
We caught up with Gary after the walk, but Bennet (super dad extraordinaire) was already on the road again because he had to take his daughter to a singing lesson!
However, I am hoping that Bennet will put up some funny footage of a guy in a monkey suit on his blog - But that's all I'm saying for now!
All in all, it was a great day and I can't wait to do it again next year!

5 comments:

Meri said...

I'm so glad it was a wonderful experience for you! What a huge event! Wonderful!

Penny said...

It was a wonderful walk and I am so proud of you Kelly for raising funds. You are one of a kind hon! I thought of all those who weren't with us for the walk, in body and in spirit. Thanks for walking with us, it was an honor my dear friend.

Anonymous said...

Guy in a monkey suit... Now that sounds exciting. Great recap of the walk, Kel! Thanks for participating and sharing the story!

Unknown said...

WOOT...you rocked that Walk sistah and thanks for keeping an eye on Grace and Penny. Those two can be trouble you know...BIG SMILES. Love that you were all there together. So cool.

Mike Durbin said...

Glad to hear the walk went well. Thanks for continuing to fight for those of us living with this disease. And congrats on exceeding your fund raising goal. $401 as of today. That's AWEsome. Lots of love, my friend.