Race for the cure in Central Park NYC is a cause that is very special to us. It’s not easy getting our 4 kids out of the house but, it’s very important to us and we want it to be for them too. And, I have to say, they all did really great this year! I tried to be as prepared as possible. Which equates to 2 packed snack bags (8 bags of goldfish, 8 bags of veggie straws, snack bars, ect…), a drink cooler bag, 2 extra sets of clothes for each twin, extra clothes for the 2 bigger kids, sweatshirts and umbrellas (first year we have needed them!), wipes, a few shopping bags(for wet/dirty clothes or garbage), hand sanitizer, sunscreen, a double stroller, a single stroller and, of course, lollipops (I never leave home without them!). I packed 2 separate snack bags knowing we were parking in a garage and that we have to get out quick so, 1 snack bag for the car and 1 snack bag for the stroller. I also had to be prepared to deal with ‘still potty training’ twins. I put pull-ups on them. I know, I know, I am not a fan of them but I had to be realistic. And it’s been 11 days now, they’ve made amazing progress. It’s a 2 hour drive into the city from our house. Plus, bathrooms are not convenient during the walk through Central Park. So, I opted for the pull-ups. But just so they didn’t forget, when we got there I took them for their first porta potty trip, courtesy of Royal Flush. Such fun, I know 😂 Anyway, aside from a million “No, don’t touch anything!!” from me, it was a success. Second trip, all 4 kids had to go (yes, 2 potty trips before we even started the walk). Ok, they have those extra large ones, right? The 5 of us pile in. Nolan wants to use the little urinal in there, sure buddy, go ahead. Twins go potty (yay! So proud!) “Ok, everyone good?” I say, which was met with a “yeah!” from everyone. I swing open the door and hear “oh, he’s not done yet” and there’s Nolan standing with his pants at his ankles, everything just hanging out. Oops! I quickly shut the door and helped him get his pants up, that poor kid 😂 I guess I should checked. 4 kids in a porta potty, probably not the best idea. But now that we have all of that out of the way let’s start the walk!
This walk has become a cherished tradition for all of us. Not just for my husband and I and our children, but, also for my parents, my sister and her family, my Aunt, my cousins and their families…this year we had a group of 25 people!
Finish Line! 
Me with my mom and sisters
Breast cancer has affected both mine and my husband’s family, so it’s very close to home. We walk with my cousin, who is a breast cancer survivor, 6 years cancer-free! We are so honored and are beyond thankful that we walk with her as a survivor. No one should die from breast cancer! While the kids are still a little young to truly understand it all, we hope to continue to do this every year. It gives us a chance to talk it about with them, why we go, how we help, and who we walk for.
We always try to put together a donation. This year, my husband designated a night and time at work, he and another bartender collected donations as well as donated all of their tips! They managed to raise $1,125.00!! This is amazing! First, because, my cousin works for a company that matches all donations made in her name and also because it goes directly to the Susan G. Komen Greater NYC. This is the largest and best-funded breast cancer foundation in the country. The money goes to cutting-edge research for finding a cure but also goes to providing critical breast cancer services to medically underserved women in the area. I just love that! People who can’t afford it, this foundation helps get those people mammograms or get to and from treatments or get the medications they can’t afford. And this foundation has these walks all around the country! If you think this is something you would like to be involved with check the website! I put a link below. It’s so easy to find an event near you! I can tell you, from experience, it is a wonderful thing to be a part of. Seeing so many people together for one amazing cause and how important this day is to ALL of the people that show up for the walk. Seeing all the volunteers there to cheer us on or hand out water. Seeing people with their team shirts showing who they walk for, there are even people with signs displaying photos of people they have lost. It’s beautiful and sad, heartwarming and heartbreaking all at the same time. Every year, it is always an absolutely beautiful day and event, even in the rain!
