I’m team captain for Team Willow Glen ^[1] in the Avon Walk-SF again this year. This is an event that is very close to my heart, and though I’m not looking forward to the blisters and exhaustion of last year’s experience (it was my first 39 mile city hike) I am looking forward to the amazing camaraderie and the feeling that I too can make a difference.

If you’ve never done this kind of walk before, let me tell you, it’s exhilarating, exhausting, agonizing and one of the most moving experiences you will ever have. People line the streets to cheer us on, give us water, even say thank you, and everybody who is walking is supportive, encouraging and as excited as you are. As you walk you hear the stories of people who have overcome amazing odds, the doctors walking for their patients, the families walking together for a loved one and it’s truly un-forgettable ^[2].

The bicycle cops come up from San Jose and encourage, cajole, entertain, coddle and above all, keep us safe. In 2000 the walk started in San Jose and the bicycle cops escorted the walkers. Now-even in San Francisco- they volunteer their time to participate and they really do San Jose proud.

So here we are, ready to shlog another 39 miles over some of San Francisco’s most treacherous hills (can’t avoid that now can we?) with several thousand men, women and children from all over the world. Are you thinking about walking? Why don’t you join us ^[3]? The Avon support teams have lots of training info ^[4] and we will be doing some team training walks as well.

If you can’t walk with us, support us. Pick one of the walkers and donate ^[3] directly to them. We’ve also got a number of fundraising events coming up. Elva’s Coffee Stop ^[5] is hosting a silent auction ^[6] for the team and it’s Elva’s second year with the team. Donate an item for the auction or chip in with a bid! Cindy Sanders, owner of It’s A Girl Thing ^[7] is offering us 10% of her sales on Saturday May 30. Shop the store and make a donation!

If you’ve got fundraising ideas we’d love to hear them. If you want to walk with us we’d love to have you come and be part of this amazing experience. If you want to know where the money goes, check out this lin ^[8]k. The money raised for San Francisco goes to some amazing local organizations that help people who might not otherwise get the treatment they need.