kttcroadtrip.com

When I started this journey, I’m not sure what I expected. I certainly knew the love of a road trip and that part was just as expected – an incredible journey over 6,000 miles, traveling through 22 states from coast to coast, taking in the beautiful, the whacky and everything in between.

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Those beautiful women are all cancer survivors. The Saks Fifth Avenue store here in D.C., in celebration of the 10th Anniversary of Key to the Cure, is honoring these 10 amazing women.

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Washington Monument

Today I am in Washington D.C. It was a beautiful day and I decided to spend it walking around the monuments. I haven’t been to this part of D.C. since my 8th grade field trip.

I first stopped at the Washington Monument and then leisurely walked my way over to the Lincoln Memorial. It felt good to be on my feet, in the fresh air. My mind was thinking a lot about all the places I’ve been and the stories I have heard.

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As I made my way east towards Washington DC, I stopped for the night in Wheeling, WV. While I just picked this town off the map as a sort of half way point, it turned out to be the perfect place to spend the night. People are always the most interesting attraction of any town, and I had the pleasure of having breakfast this morning with Becky Graham and Gail Van Vranken. Both Becky and Gail shared with me their stories of battling cancer.

Gail (Boatsie) Van Vranken and Becky Graham

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If you ever find yourself needing to travel across the northern part of Indiana, be sure to take the time to slow down, roll down your windows and cruise along the Amish Heritage Trail.

Heading east from Chicago, drop off the boring Indiana toll road and head south to Elkhart, IN then follow the signs from there. Just breathing the fresh air is worth the trip. You’ll find yourself passing picture perfect farms and slowing down to give horse and buggies the right of way.

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Chicago POP Quiz Answer 9/19

Cloud Gate

In my 9/17 blog entry I asked, Where exactly am I in this picture? The answer is under the Cloud Gate in Chicago’s Millennium Park.  This 110 ton elliptical sculpture is formed of highly polished stainless steel plates. The sculpture reflects not only those standing around and under it, but the beautiful Chicago skyline and the clouds above. The sculpture was designed by Anish Kapoor and was inspired by liquid mercury. Locals affectionately call it “the bean” which makes Kia Quinn of Rhode Island our lucky winner. Kia will receive this year’s Key to the Cure T-shirt designed by Karl Lagerfeld.

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Today I spoke with Elizabeth Stock and Bonnie Gordon. Both are the type of woman I would describe as strong, a problem solver, a doer, women more used to helping others then asking for help themselves. Both were diagnosed with breast cancer in their 30s. One was diagnosed last year, the other 15 years ago. I met with each of them separately, but thinking back, it was almost like talking to the same woman twice, just 15 years a part. Elizabeth, the recently diagnosed – still grappling with many questions, and fifteen years later - Bonnie who has now sorted out some of the answers.

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Where exactly am I in this picture? (Hint: It is in Chicago).

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I visited St. Vincent Breast Health Center this morning. The center is the recipient of the Key to the Cure funds raised by the Saks in Indianapolis. Dr. Schmidt is the breast surgeon and a force behind the creation of this center. I met Dr. Schmidt briefly and I asked him, what one thing would you want me to communicate to women? Here’s what he said:

“We really don’t know what causes cancer and we don’t have a cure so our best defense is early detection, and the best way to do that is with an annual mammogram. It is the surest way, the one intervention we can do that gives the broadest sweep to catch breast cancer.”

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Laura LaForge is an artist. She paints in a warehouse loft in Indianapolis. Two months ago Laura’s best friend, George, died of cancer.

Laura had met George Rodman less than a year before, but they instantly connected.  It was one of those amazing happenings when you meet someone and within a few hours you feel as if you have known them forever. And perhaps what makes those encounters so significant is the clarity at which the other person seems to understand you. George was a doctor and at 63 a bit older than Laura. He was also colorblind, which she found amusing what with her being an artist. She described him as, “the dad I wish I had.”

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