Inspiration: A divine influence directly and immediately exerted upon the mind or soul.
When I participated in the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3-day back in 2009, I chose to dedicate my walk to my nieces Denaille and Ember (at the time they were 13 and 5). My hope was that my participation in fundraising and walking helped with their Breast Cancer awareness and contributed to the overall efforts to cure this awful disease. I carried their photos with me throughout the entire 60-mile walk for inspiration.
This year's inspiration found me. During one of my fundraisers, my friend Leah brought a special pink t-shirt to the event (photo enclosed). Leah explained that this t-shirt belonged to her brother-in-law Jeffrey's mother, Margaret, who fought hard but lost her battle to Breast Cancer in 2010. Margaret wore this shirt when she participated in the 2005 Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. Leah asked me if I would be willing to carry the t-shirt during my 3-day walk to honor Margaret and I said most definitely! Little did I know just how inspirational this t-shirt would be to me!
Never having met Leah's brother-in-law Jeffrey, I asked her if I could reach out to him directly, which I did. When he told me his mothers story, it became clear to me that I want to do more than just carry her t-shirt during the 3-day. I want to dedicate my walk to her.
~Margaret Callan Cottrell Hall~
Margaret was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in December 2004. During Margaret's 5-year courageous fight against Breast Cancer, she became very involved with Soroptomist International in Reno as well as doing volunteer work with the Breast Cancer Foundation. She was chosen as Soroptomist of the Year, which made her want to work even harder in the group. Shortly before she passed away, she had to resign as President of her Soroptomist group; a position that she felt very honored to be given. She went into remission late 2005 but the Cancer retuned January 2008 and entered her bones. Margaret passed away at home in Reno, NV in March of 2010.
In addition to her amazing efforts to fight Breast Cancer, I was so inspired by one of my Facebook conversations with Margaret's son Jeffrey. I decided to quote it below because in my opinion, this is what true inspiration is all about:
"Something else that should be said about my mother. She never once felt sorry for herself. She was up every morning going to work, minus the surgery recovery from the double Mastectomy. She never complained. And she inspired so many people to get up and go do everyday things even when you don't feel well. I know there were plenty of times I was "sick" and didn't want to go to work. But if she could do it, even after the tumor broke her back, then I could go to work with sniffles."
Jeffrey - Thank you for allowing me to share your mother's amazing story. It is with incredible honor that I dedicate my 2012 Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3-day walk to Margaret Callan Cottrell Hall. I know she will be there with me this Friday as I head out on this incredible journey. She is a true inspiration!
by Heather Jeffery on Mon, Nov 12, 2012 @ 9:55 PM CT
Permanent Link
No Comments
