With less than one month to go until the big event, there's so much to talk about that this update merits a thread of it's own.
So much has happened since we embarked on this journey 9 months ago that it's almost surreal. The event has grown and we as individuals have grown. This is going to be a long post.
Spotlight on the 3-day
When Team EA signed on to this adventure, we had 4,000 partners in insanity. That's grown just a wee bit.
Current registration for the event exceeds 9,000. With the projected attrition, about 7,000 walkers are expected to assemble at the starting line. That's an awful lot of women and men marching to make a point. And, a tremendous amount of money raised for a worthy cause.
The sheer volume of walkers, plus hundreds of crew members and volunteers, has caused the event some growing pains and a lot has changed from what we'd anticipated (and announced) at the onset.
Instead of starting at Bear Mountain and ending in Manhattan, we will be walking through various towns in Rockland County, NY. We begin each day at
Rockland Lake State Park and settle in for camp there as well. Closing Ceremonies will be held at about 5 pm on Sunday, October 13, in Pearl River, NY.
Why the change? The cost of moving and assembling so many people in and around NYC would have been far too exhorbitant. As is the cost of moving such a huge camp. A wise decision was made to save the expense and give the tens of thousands of dollars to the charity instead. While it's a far less exciting route, I have to applaud the event organizers for their sound judgment. :thumbs:
Information will be provided about a week before the event for anyone who would like to visit with Team EA at the campsite, along the route, or after the closing ceremonies.
Spotlight on the Team
Back in late January, 10 insane women committed themselves to walking 60 miles and raising a minimum of $1900 each. I don't know what has been tougher, the fundraising or the training. Each team member likely has her own opinion on that issue. Suffice it to say many, many hours and miles have been poured into this endeavor.
Unfortunately, life sometimes intervenes and reality has to take center stage. Regretfully, for various personal reasons, three members of the team will be unable to join us on our 60 mile trek. But, they have been with us for a great part of the 9 month journey and will be with us in spirit every step along the final 60 miles.
Spotlight on Fundraising
Today marks the
official fundraising deadline. (The unofficial deadline is October 10 - more on that later.)
To date, Team EA has raised...
May I have a drumroll please?
... a total of
$14,307 for breast cancer detection, awareness, treatment and research.
Of that sum, $12,675 has already cleared the bank and has been put to very valuable work.
Six of our seven active members has reached or exceeded her minimum fundraising commitment. We have just under a month to get ourselves to the 100% mark.
Spotlight on Training
Training has a tendency to be grossly underreported. The last thing you want to do when you've dragged your butt around town for 6 hours is sit down and fill out a training log.
So take this into consideration when you read the following figures.
In the past few months Team EA has spent a minimum of 594 hours walking at least 2,189 miles.
Ouch.
Spotlight on You
I cannot begin to express how much the team appreciates all the support you have given and continue to give to us. You are simply amazing.
You have been absolutely critical as a network of financial and moral support. I hope that you'll continue to stand by us as we complete these last few legs of our journey.
If you are in the NY Metro area (or plan to be the weekend of October 11-13) we would be thrilled if you could stop by and visit with us at some point along our route. We want to give you the hugs you deserve. Of course, we won't be offended if you politely refuse an embrace from a bunch of sweaty women. We'll just wave to you from a safe distance instead.
If you happen to be a serious procrastinator like someone I know... okay, like me... and are now smacking yourself on the forehead saying "damn, I never did get around to making that donation" there is still time. Please pm or email me and I will gladly send you information on how you can add your donation to the many we've received from this wonderful board.
I am so proud of my association with my team members and our incredible supporters.
It is definitely time for a mutual back patting.
Thank you all.
Sara
The Continuing Adventures of Team EA 
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