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In The News An article off TampaBay10.com http://www.tampabays10.com/pub/lifetime/article.aspx?storyid=66002
By:
Heather Van NestSt. Petersburg, Florida - More than 1,900 men and women crossed the finished line, ending the 3 day, 60 mile, Tampa Bay's Breast Cancer Walk Sunday.
You can watch a video wrap up of the 3 day event by clicking on the video story to the right. If you've been inspired to walk, volunteer or learn more about the Breast Cancer 3 Day, October 31st through November 2nd 2008, click here.
The walkers, including 10 News Anchors Heather Van Nest and Reginald Roundtree, raised $5.4 million. The money will be used for breast cancer research and community outreach programs. As the primary beneficiary of the Breast Cancer 3-Day, Susan G. Komen for the Cure receives 85% of net proceeds and the remaining 15% goes to the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund.
Most of the money going to Komen for the Cure will come back to the Bay area in the form of grants to help women without insurance receive free mammograms, screening, & treatment. The money also helps fund the latest research and education awareness programs.
Walkers spend months training and raising the $2,200 required fundraising minimum in preparation for the event. During the walk, the men and women walk an average of 20 miles a day.
Congratulations to the men and women who participated in this year's events. You prove you can do anything if you put your mind to it!
Videos of The 3 Day, one from CNN Reporter August 26-Breast Cancer Supporter Denied by Southwest Airlines! Well, heading off to my grandmother’s funeral this past Monday, I found myself in a sticky situation with Southwest Airlines. My grandmother passed on Monday from Breast Cancer (we all know I’ve been doing the fundraising to walk in honor of her) and I headed to VA on Southwest for her funeral. I wore my “Save the Ta-Tas” tank top along with my several “fight breast cancer” pins in honor of her. I received great compliments as I walked into the airport, as well as Starbucks giving me half off on my order because they were so moved by my 60 mile walk. I walked up and down the airport (trying to gain more training and miles) as I waited for my plane to board. I finally started to board.
As I took my first step onto the plane, I was pulled over by a flight attendant. Thinking it was another compliment on my tank top, I was smiling……which quickly turned into a frown as the lady told me I “had to take my top off, or put a jacket on because of the word Ta-Tas……This is a family plane” I quickly said, “your kidding!?.....do you realize this top is a ‘Breast Cancer Organization raising money for breast cancer??!!” She stood there saying “Im sorry.” I continued to tell my story,….how my grandmother just passed and I was on my way to her funeral….how I was walking 60 miles to fight and raise awareness for breast cancer in honor of her….how my buttons (and ribbon) shows “ta-tas” is for breast cancer.” She did not care and just said “I’m sorry.” I was absolutely flabbergasted. There was nothing I could say but “you’re kidding.” That is when the pilot came out with a smile on his face. All he had to say was “What’s the problem? You can just zip up your jacket, right?” I said, “That is not the point.” He stood there with a smirk on his face and I continued to ask “why are you smiling?” Both him and the flight attendant said he was not…and all he had to say was “I guess I am just a happy guy”. Absolutely blown away, tears falling from my eyes, as I am thinking all I want to do is get to my grandmother’s funeral, there was nothing left to do but zip up my jacket and sit down.
I have never in my life felt so belittled or embarrassed by doing something “honorable for the community.” I am sitting here raising thousands of dollars in the fight against breast cancer, yet all this flight attendant or pilot could think about was the “offensive” word “ta-tas” when seriously, lets be honest, there could be more threatening events happening on the same plane, but we decided to chose this battle!! Worst come to worst, the flight attendant approached me later and asked if I was okay. I asked if I were to wear a shirt that said “Fight Breast Cancer” because it had the word “breast” in it, I would have the same situation. All she had to say was “I did not say that.” Apparently the flight attendant was ignorant and did not know what she was saying. …What if I did not have a jacket? Would they kick me off the plane…because of ‘ta-tas’?? Absolutely ridiculous.
This is just an update on what I have been through this past week. There will be a following letter, if anyone wants to help me in this fight against this discriminating incident. The breast cancer organizations, local news, and of course Southwest will be contacted about this.
Thanks for those that have supported me
Melissa
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