3-Day Cheers And Closing Ceremonies ...

The 2010 Chicago Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure kicks off this Friday. If you happen to be tooling around towns in the Chicagoland area and you see, oh, about 2,000 people wearing various shades of pink and trailing each other for a few miles, that's us.

Want to join in? Honk your horns as you zip by. Hoot out your windows. Pull over and blare your radio for a while.

Or, be part of a major metropolitan cheering section.

While plenty of folks come out along the route for the 3-Day, there are also official cheering stations, at major intersections, in parks, along the lake and such, where larger groups gather to, you know, cheer.

Cheering stations rock. You have no idea how much of a boost we walkers get from a group of people clapping and otherwise making noise.

They also often bring treats. And supplies. Such as:

Little bags of ice? ROCK.

Baby wipes to swipe the grime from our faces? ROCK.

Freezy pops with the tops trimmed off so we don't need to use our teeth to gnaw them open? ROCK.

Cups of lemonade? ROCK.

Frozen grapes? ROCK.

Twizzlers? ROCK.

Assorted fun-size candy bars? ROCK.

Those cute little bottles of water? ROCK.

Folks who think to put out a trash can for us a few houses down so we can dispose of our trash easily? ROCK.

And the dude who doled out Push-Ups, nostalgic sherbet-y treat from my childhood? SUPER ROCK.

But truly, just your presence counts.

The guy who showed up along the lakefront a couple of years ago with his ukelele and sang songs to us? ROCK.

The Mt. Prospect cops in their pink shirts who always make Day 2 so cool? ROCK.

The Mt. Prospect cops in their pink shirts who surprised us by showing up front of their pink-hooded squad car just beyond the underpass in Lincoln Park? SUPER HYPER ULTRA MEGA MONDO CRAZY ROCK!

You get the idea. A little appreciation goes a long way. We walk because we want to, because we need to, because we can't not walk, but part of the awesomeness of the event is the involvement of the communities.

So head to a cheering station this weekend. You don't have to bring anything but your enthusiasm.

But if you bring a couple of bags of ice, you'll rock.

Cheering stations are arranged for the following locations:
Friday, August 6

9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Elder Lane Park
Sheridan Road At Elder Lane
Winnetka, IL

12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Flick Park
3600 Glenview Rd.
Glenview, IL

Saturday, August 7

7:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Evangelical Free Church of Des Plaines
55 W Golf Rd
DesPlaines, IL

11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Woodland Trails Park
1500 E Euclid Ave
Mt. Prospect, IL

Sunday, August 8

8:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Lincoln Park
Just north of Belmont Harbor at W. Addison Drive near the clock tower
Chicago, IL

9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Lincoln Park
Just south of Lincoln Park Zoo, along Stockton Drive
Chicago, IL

Now then: Closing Ceremonies.

If you've never attended Closing Ceremonies, I really encourage you to come, even if you don't know anyone participating in the walk.

Closing Ceremonies are awesome. So much emotion, the best of humanity on glorious display. There is the joy for having completed the event, the sorrow for those we've lost, the encouragement for those who continue their treatments, and the determination to walk, again and again, for as long as it takes, until there is a need to walk no more.

Thirty years ago today, Nancy Brinker lost her sister, Susan Komen. Nancy had made a vow to her to find a cure. That vow has grown into the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure and more.

Come experience the 3-Day for yourself. Be inspired. Be filled with awe. There is nothing more powerful than the human spirit.

My continued love and thanks to all of you who support me in this journey, year after year. I truly could not do this without you. You are my strength.

I hope to see you, Friday, Saturday, and/or Sunday.

Love,

Beth

The official information from the 3-Day is below:

Closing Ceremony
After three days and 60 miles, participants will take a final and incredibly emotional victory walk into the Closing Ceremony. Friends, family and supporters should arrive at the Closing Ceremony site at least one hour early to get the best view of the program. We encourage you to carpool or take public transportation. Not only is it better for the planet, but it will help lessen traffic congestion for everyone.

All walkers and crew members should remain in the Participant Holding Area where they will receive a victory shirt, cheer on fellow walkers and crew members and celebrate one last time together before their dramatic victory walk. The Participant Holding Area is CLOSED to spectators. If you wish to meet with a participant before the Ceremony begins, please have them meet you at the Closing Ceremony site. All participants must return to the Holding Area no later than 4:00 p.m. in order to join the victory walk.

Don't forget to continue the spirit of kindness we'll be building on the 3-Day for the Cure throughout and beyond the Closing Ceremony!

Sunday, August 8
4:30 p.m.

Soldier Field
1410 S. Museum Campus Drive
Chicago IL 60605

Friends and family are highly encouraged to attend, though please note that seating will not be available, so if you are unable to stand for 30-60 minutes, you may want to bring a folding chair.

NOTE - There is a special event that will increase the amount of traffic throughout the area. Please add extra travel time in your arrival plans.

Driving Directions:
Due to major road construction projects in downtown Chicago, it is highly recommended that you check the Chicago Department of Transportation website at http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/cdot.html prior to heading for the Closing Ceremony at Soldier Field. Parking is available for $17.00 per car in the Waldron Parking Deck on 18th Street.