My breast cancer diagnosis was in 11/13/13...with three years of surgeries (13 of them!), chemo therapy (17 rounds of that!), umpteen infections and hospitalizations.  All the while, my family & friends were supportive of me!!!

This past Spring, my dad, Richard, was diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer that had already metastasized to his bones and liver.  We lost my dad on June 1st; it was stunning how fast he went from our healthy dad, that could do ANYTHING, at the age of 86, to saying good-bye.

Gilda's Club has been such a soft place for me to land!  My breast cancer support group is AMAZING!  We can laugh and cry together; we share in each others joys, challenges and sadness.  I don't know what I'd do without the support of my group!  Since losing my dad, I've begun a grief support series...it's been an immense help to learn what's "normal" about every individuals grief and that we're all individuals; no two people grieve in the same way.  I also attend a meditation session, every two weeks...this helps to center & ground me...so i can be open to hope, joy, sadness and all that entails.

One of the AMAZING things about Gilda's Club...everything is free to anyone who needs support, guidance and friendship with others on similar paths.  This walk raises funds for our local Gilda's Club, in Grand Rapids, MI.  100% of the funds remain local to Grand Rapids.  It's an AMAZING historic farmhouse that is filled with comfy rooms, furniture that you can sink into...just like home, and beautiful grounds.  If you're in this area, I'd invite you to visit Gilda's Club...I'll meet you there, if you'd like!

Thank you for your interest in the West Side Walk for Gilda's Club!!!

Maureen

In Loving Memory of my Dad, Richard