Hard Work
Thank you family and friends for supporting me! I have officially met the minimum requirement to walk in the 3-day this November. That doesn't mean the donations should stop. As I continue to train, I will also continue to fundraise. One step at a time and one dollar at a time.
Cancer doesn't stop. We need to raise funds to support the research as well as clinical tests that will diagnose breast cancer earlier for all of us, not just those that can't afford it.
Please tell your friends and family if they would like to support our efforts, they can continue to make donations to my 3-day fund through mid December. My personal goal is to raise $5,000. Of course they can make a donation to a general fund all year through.
Thank you all again!!! I appreciate it very much.
Love,
Dawn

by Dawn Havens on Thu, Oct 08, 2009 @ 12:05 PM CT

 Permanent Link   No Comments 

What a Difference a Month Makes!
THANK YOU ALL!!! As of today, I have raised 82% of my goal. $1890 to be exact. I am well within reach of walking in the actual event.

This past weekend was our first back-to-back walk. In other words we did two consecutive days of long walks. Our bodies react differently to consecutive days compared to one day then taking a break for a few.

I'm still collecting CA CRV bottles and cans to be recycled. Now that the weather is cooling off, I can actually stand in front of a machine and load them in individually - gets more money that way. I will give an update soon on how much I have made for the cure.
The jewelry party was a bust, unfortunately. Great idea and glad to have given it a go. Thank you for those that were interested in participating. Maybe another time.

Thank you all again for the tremendous support and encouragement you have given me!
Love,
Dawn

by Dawn Havens on Sun, Oct 04, 2009 @ 7:18 PM CT

 Permanent Link   No Comments 

Join Me!
In order to raise the money I have been doing different fundraisers. I have been recycling, baking and selling cupcakes and now I will be hosting a breakfast.

Please join me on @ my house October 1st @ 9 AM for Breakfast and Park Lane Jewelry Party.

20-30% of the sales will be donated to my fundraising. If you are not able to join us physically, but would like to participate, please let me know and I will get you the information. They have some great deals that are not posted on the website. Think fashion and gifts for the holidays!

As of today I still have to raise $860 in order to walk. I would like to raise more than the minimum to support our boobs!!! I will keep walking as long as the support is still there!

Thank you all!
Love,
Dawn

by Dawn Havens on Thu, Sep 17, 2009 @ 12:32 PM CT

 Permanent Link   No Comments 

It's Official
This month our Saturday training walks are now part of the official 16-week count down. With that comes on-line registration, medical clearance and tent mate selection.

In order for me to complete on-line registration I either need to have all funds collected or I need to give a credit card number as reassurance I will either raise the $2300 required to walk or I personally will pay the difference for what I don't raise in donations. Last year I was able to raise all but a couple hundred dollars before on-line registration. I was confident I would raise it; so providing my credit card info was not a concern. This year however, I have not even raised 50% yet and I cannot afford to foot the bill myself. Ok, that pun was intended.

So, I'm begging you if you can donate even $10 please do so. Ask or tell your family and friends to do the same. Remember it is tax deductible! If I have not raised the money by September 21st I will have to consider not walking. I'll still be an advocate to raise awareness for breast cancer.

This will be the last year I solicit donations. Why? This will be my last year to do the 3-day walk for a very long time. Starting next year both the boys will be active in sports on the weekends and I will not be able to train adequately. Originally Bill was going to be an assistant coach for Marcus' soccer team since he would have to watch over Robert during some of the games while I am training. But the dynamics of the league have proven Bill needed to step-up and volunteer to be a coach. So, hopefully Robert will behave himself on the sidelines when I'm not there. Otherwise I will have to train by myself on Sundays so I can attend the games. Cross your fingers it all works out in the end!

Just a reminder that my friend Jody is still willing to donate 100% of her proceeds from any Mary Kay orders. See her link below. If you have plastic or glass bottles or aluminum cans for me to recycle, please let me know! If you are interested in attending a Park Lane Jewelry party in September, please let me know. 20% of the sales will be donated to my fund.

by Dawn Havens on Sat, Aug 01, 2009 @ 1:46 PM CT

 Permanent Link   No Comments 

Neighbors & Friends - I love where we live!
First off, sorry I have not updated my blog in a few months - there was a glitch in the system.

I wanted to make a public shout out to the Sedig Family! Diane has brought me three HUGE bags of recycles and Janice brought me too many to count from Sedig Masonry. Along with my father-in-laws cans and some recycles from our river trip I am happy to announce I have added another $42 to my walking account. If ANYONE would like to participate, just let me know. You can either drop them off at my house or I can pick them up at yours. I can even give you a trashcan with liners if you would like. Every lit bit helps and it is nice to be green.

I also want to thank Belinda for knocking on my door one evening and asking me to walk with her. We now walk every morning at 5:45 AM for an hour. Our route is approximately 3 - 3.5 miles. Our reasons for walking are closely linked. I am walking for breast cancer research and education. Belinda is walking for her health. She is currently on Tamoxifen which has a side effect of possible weight gain. This is normal protocol for breast cancer survivors!!! Yes, you read that right.

I want to use Belinda as another example of why self examines and annual mammograms are important. Belinda was not 40 years old when her doctor ordered a mammogram. She had to jump through some insurance hoops since she was younger than 40 and this was to be her baseline examine - but it was worth it! It was life saving worth it! Please make sure you do your monthly self-examinations.

Thank you again, for all the support. Until next month...

by Dawn Havens on Sat, Jun 13, 2009 @ 11:51 AM CT

 Permanent Link   No Comments 

Getting Creative
So, fundraising is definitely much slower and harder than last year. I am getting creative and hope you can help.

Home Depot donated four trash cans and Smart & Final donated the trash sacks. The Murrieta Valley Pony Baseball League is allowing me to put out recycle bins. Thank you Jaren for asking Sylvan in Murrieta to do the same. Place your CRV bottles and cans at those locations or collect and give to me. All money refunded will go into my 3-day account.

IF you or someone you know uses Mary Kay Cosmetics and other products...
A friend of mine will donate 100% of her profits to my 3-day account for any order placed between now and the San Diego 2009 (November 20-22) walk - Just put MY NAME in the Comments Section. ALL ORDERS SHIP FOR FREE!!! Please pass this along - Thanks!! http://www.marykay.com/jayres4

I have also placed a collection jar at Quality One Auto (our mechanic) in Temecula.

If I can get 40 people to donate $50 each or 100 people to donate $20 each, then I will meet the goal to walk. I appreciate ANY help!!

Love,
Dawn
Thank You All

by Dawn Havens on Wed, Mar 18, 2009 @ 2:33 PM CT

 Permanent Link   No Comments 

9 months & counting
THANK YOU BEV MARQUEZ for my first donation of the year! You are awesome and I appreciate the vote of confidence.

I can't believe I have been talking about my 2008 experience for three months already. Because of the mental portion of fundraising and the stigma of asking for donations, it has taken it back seat. But in reality, I know this year will be more difficult to raise the money - more money ($2300 in order to walk) - than last.

Why? Well, it is not my first year doing it, so the enthusiasm seems to have died down. You all know I can do 60 miles in 3 days. Plus the economy is hurting us all. So, here is my plea....

Your donations gave me the encouragement every week to get out of bed at o'dark thirty to train. It got me pumped up to know you believed in the cause and me. I REALLY NEED that again this year. If you can't afford to give as much as you did last year, please give what you can. EVERY penny is appreciated and needed. You can always pass on my info to others to make up the difference. If you know of any businesses that would like to donate or be my sponsor (I'll put their logo on my shirt) please let me know!!!

I will be getting creative. My plan is to start baking goodies to have Bill take to work with a donation box. Who can resist a cupcake or cookie for a cure? Depending on which local businesses stay in business, I would like to put a raffle together. If you have any other ideas, please send them my way. All is appreciated.

So, let 2009 training get under way! 9 months will go by extremely fast. Please don't delay, donate today :)

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

by Dawn Havens on Wed, Feb 18, 2009 @ 7:05 PM CT

 Permanent Link   No Comments 

Will You Do It Again?
I got that question a lot while I was training for the 2008 3-day. I really didn't think I would. Timing was such an issue with trying to get training in I figured if I did anything, it would be crewing for the 3-day. Well you can see my answer in the above plea for donations.

Yes, I was sore at night. Heck on the second day of the walk my team captain laughed at me when I went to stand up after lunch in the park and needed to be pulled up. Then Bill's face when he saw how slow I was moving after standing around waiting for closing ceremonies. He thought he was going to be pushing me in a wheelchair at the airport the next day. But when I woke up each morning I was as good as new! No pain. In fact I felt great. Not just physically but mentally too.

I will learn from my experience and expand for a better journey this year. I hope you will follow me again - perhaps you might even be inspired to JOIN me.

by Dawn Havens on Wed, Dec 03, 2008 @ 11:13 PM CT

 Permanent Link   No Comments