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Team Player

I have finally dusted the cobwebs off of my running shoes and kicked off my 3-Day training regime.  60 miles in 3 days!  I can’t wait.  Although I must admit, I’ve taken a little hiatus from my fundraising to pursue another altruistic venture; I’m ramping back up in full force to help raise money for breast cancer research.

With that being said, I’d like to point you to my team’s newly redesigned Web site.  http://www.teamtiara.net.  I hope you like the site, as I really wanted it to reach out and say I’m pink, yet professional.

Why join a team for the 3-Day you ask?  Well I’m so glad you asked that question, as I was able to speak to a woman named Georgia on our training walk kick off shindig this past Saturday on this very topic.  Let me start by answering why I initially joined a team and the benefits I’ve experienced with Team Tiara…

In 2010, when I signed up for my first 3-Day walk, I had no real intention of walking with others.  I attended a Getting Started meeting and figured, well, it wouldn’t be so bad to meet a few people to walk with during the event.  I hopped on www.the3day.org and honestly, picked the team that had the highest fundraising at the time.  I assumed a group who could raise that much money must know what they were doing.  With a bit of selfishness, I figured I could learn a thing or two on how to be a successful fundraiser by partnering with these ladies.

What I gained though was a group of women (and one other man – Anthony) that really cared for one another.  We corresponded through e-mails and countless letters of encouragement were sent en-masse throughout the yahoo group.  Fundraising ideas were doled out by the truckload and although most of the larger events were held in Houston, there was no reason that one could not extend them to other locations throughout Texas.

So selfish motives aside, when the event took place, I felt like I was a part of a well-oiled machine.  Walker Stalkers were on the streets, pouncing at the opportunity to help a member out.  Team members were there every mile, cheering and always lending a smile.  I was so thankful to be a part of such a large team, as it not only gave me an opportunity to meet so many wonderful people, but it also provided countless pats on the back and encouragement when it was needed the most.

Through the entirety of the event, we ate together, had our tents in the same area, and laughed together.  I enjoyed it so much that I reenlisted with the same team with motivation to increase Team Tiara’s ranks in 2011.

So would I recommend joining a team?  Absolutely!  Would I recommend Team Tiara…absolutely!  Should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.

March Madness–Charity Brackets

March Madness is right around the corner and many of you will be glued to the warm glow of the television during this glorious tournament. In fact, many of you may join various pools and brackets to make the tournament a bit more interesting in your eyes. Why not join a charity tournament, one that will not only make the tournament more intriguing, but also helps find a cure for breast cancer through the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure foundation.

This year I will be hosting a charity bracket pool on CBS Sportsline. The site does all of the heavy lifting and only takes a couple of minutes for you to sign up for an account. So here are the rules:

• Entry fee is $10 – a paltry amount for the enjoyment you will gain…and remember, it all goes towards a great cause.
• 50% of the proceeds will go directly to the charity, while the other 50% will be used to pay off the overall bracket winner. This amount will increase as more players sign up, so please don’t hesitate to pass this around to friends, family, and coworkers. There is no limit who can sign up…the more the merrier.
• It is extremely easy to sign up, simply point your browser to: http://the3day.mayhem.cbssports.com/e
• Once you are registered on CBS Sportsline, the bracket does require a password: charity
• At this point you are registered and once the brackets become available, just pick who you think will win each game in the tournament. The system will handle the scoring and determine the winner via the scores.

Again, this is for a GREAT cause and the entry fee for the pool is only $10.
For questions or more information, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Payments can be made in cash, via PayPal, or directly to my 3-Day site (tax-deductible) if you prefer an electronic method.

http://www.the3day.org/goto/the3dayman

Embarrassment

Prior to walking in 2010, I wasn’t exactly sure what it meant to be a 3-Day Man.  Sure, I knew I would be walking 60 miles in 3 days, camping in a pink tent, and taking showers in the back of semis, however, I was still a bit oblivious to what it would actually look like on game day.  As a male 3-Day walker who wants more men to come join, lets unveil exactly what it means to be a man during this grand event.

First and foremost, you must get over any embarrassment you have by wearing pink.  Granted, you don’t have to wear pink, but you’ll be surrounded by 2,800 other (at least in the Dallas/Fort Worth adventure) bubbly, energetic women all wearing hot pink outfits and you’d probably feel a bit out of place wearing anything else.  So drop your pride and call it Salmon if it makes you feel better.  Just remember why you are walking, it is not to make a fashion statement, but to honor and love those that have come before us, are here with us now, and those that are yet to be diagnosed.

Second, you will be part of the minority.  Expect a lot of extra attention because of this fact.  If you are a wallflower, this walk will provide you with all of the extra attention you’ve ever wanted.  Enjoy the attention as you pass countless number of people in the cheering stations, thanking you for walking.  However, as mentioned earlier, be humble and remember the real reasons you are on the walk.

Third, it is ok to cry.  If you don’t tear up walking past these cheering stations, than I don’t know what to say.  Granted, I have no problem showing my emotions, however, when you walk through these crowds and you see little kids holding signs letting you know that their Mommy is their hero, my heart just swells up.  Don’t be ashamed to show your emotions on the walk…share your experience and reasons for walking with your fellow walkers and listen to theirs.  It is an opportunity of a lifetime!

Finally, just enjoy the experience.  Yes, you WILL be called on stage to dance as a man.  Yes, you WILL make a fool of yourself, unless you are part of the 1% of men that can dance to fast music (I am not a part of that select crowd).  Yes, you WILL end up on someone’s Facebook page.  But you know what?  In the end, it is all about spreading the word and getting more people involved in helping to find a cure for breast cancer. 

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.  I am a 2011 Susan G. Komen for the Cure Ambassador and am here to help you along your journey.  Let me know how I can help you!

You can help support my 2011 walk with a tax-free donation.

Ambassador Corcoran Reporting for Duty

Ambassador

I have the great honor of being a 3-Day for the Cure Ambassador for the 2011 calendar year.  I look forward to spreading the good word about the 3-Day for the Cure and being a part of something spectacular.  Should you have any questions about the 3-Day event, training, or anything related, please don't hesitate to contact me.  In the meantime, I'll try to brainstorm some future blog posts that will help you get ready for your 2011 3-Day for the Cure adventure.  I feel a new sense of urgency to post items in a topical format =).

Super Bowl Squares

You're invited to join my 3 Day Charity Super Bowl Squares pool!  What a great way to give to charity and have a chance to win up to $500.00! Please feel free to forward this link to anyone that you think would enjoy stepping up to the challenge!

If you wish to make a tax deductible donation directly without playing, please visit the following site: www.the3day.org/goto/the3dayman

How to play

1. Random numbers (0-9) are assigned to each axis the grid (hidden until start of the game).
   
2. A winner is determined at the end of each quarter based on the last digit of the score.
   
3. Squares cost $5 each (pick up to 10 )
   
4. Prize distribution (Up to $200 total –Half of the proceeds are going to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure):

• 1st Quarter 25%: Up to $62.50
  
• 2nd Quarter 25%: Up to $62.50
• 3rd Quarter 25%: Up to $62.50
• 4th Quarter 25%: Up to $62.50

Payment

• Easiest way to pay is to PayPal my account: acorcoran@gmail.com for the number of squares you desire. In the comments, please place the numbers of the squares you will be picking to ensure I have an accurate count. This is on the honor system.
  
• For locals, I will accept cash/check donations.
  
• Half of the proceeds will go directly to the Susan G. Komen 3 Day for the Cure to aid me in my fundraising goal of $2300.00

Please use this link to join:

• http://officepicker.com/users/respond.php?game=5361&code=3day
• Secret Code: 3day
• Game ID: 5361 if you are already registered.

Reflections

As I look back on 2010, one of the memories that I hold dear is the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure. The thought of walking honestly started in 2009. I was driving in my car, listening to the radio when an ad played (and continued to play for the next few weeks) talking about the 3-Day. I thought wow that would be a neat goal to work towards. Not only would it get me off of my couch, it would also allow me to do something to give back to those that have given so much of their lives to my upbringing (my mom). So needless to say, nothing happened (in terms of the 3-Day in ’09)…the thought quickly faded and the walk went on without me, as it had for many years previous to that moment.

In 2010, the ad once again came on as I was driving to work. This time, it struck a chord…knowing that I was so lazy in the past; I wanted to act quick before the fire faded. I signed up for a getting started meeting and quickly became enamored with the idea of walking for my mom. I still had some selfish ambition to get off the couch mind you, but this time, I really wanted to say thanks for all of the time, love, blood, sweat, and tears my mom poured into my upbringing. She did a fabulous job, but please don’t tell her that, it might go to her head.

As I left the getting started meeting, I was on fire…but quickly thought, how in the world am I ever going to raise $2300.00?! I have never fundraised in the past, nor do I know a lot of people that I felt comfortable enough asking for their hard earned money. Everyone said that this was easier than expected and the walk was the hard part…yeah right. So in 2010, I started simple and non-obtrusive; email. I was blown away by the response. I honestly never believed that I would get the response I got. A lot of people responded to my initial email blasts with donations! The generosity was amazing,

While I reached my goal in 2010 of raising $2300.00, the one thing that I was a bit one-sided on was the reason for these donations. Why were people donating the money they donated? I decided in 2011, the one thing that I wanted to know is the reason for the individual’s donation and honor that during my walk. Is it for a loved one, a friend, a relative, themselves, or just because they want to help? These reasons are the reasons I walk and I don’t want them to be lost in the donation. I want to honor that this year in my 2011 walk, so as you consider donating, please think of the person(s) that have impacted your life and let me know the reason.

Upon the donation, I will add them to my Web site for a constant reminder, as well as to a special cape that will be worn ALL 60 miles of my journey, Thank you for your sacrifice, as every dollar counts!

Scentsy for the Cure

Despite my best efforts to avoid actual fundraisers, I decided to succumb to the reality that raising the funds will not be as easy as it was last year.  Think about it, last year mentioning the event to people had the whole shock and awe effect, however, once its over and you try the same tactic for year two, the amazement has worn off.  Granted, it is the same cause, but its not as easy to raise the $2300 the second year.  With this being said, I’m kicking off the new year with my first fundraiser.

 

Thanks to Melissa Elliot, our local Scentsy rep, she has partnered with me for a win-win situation.  Not only will you be able to purchase some amazing products for yourself, or as gifts to loved ones (Valentine’s Day is right around the corner), but you’ll also be helping us find a cure for Breast Cancer.  Its easy, no need to attend a home show, just point your browser to the following Web site, make some purchases and voila!  You’ve bought something that will last for years to come, as well as helped support me in my 60 mile journey.

 

There are a few key promotions I’d like to point out for your shopping experience:

• Love, Life, Hope Scentsy Warmer
  Created to honor women with breast cancer Love, Life, Hope’s simple pink-and-white stripes and black accents spread a message of hope and support to breast cancer survivors and their families. One hundred percent of the net profits from the sale of Love, Life, Hope will go directly to The National Breast Cancer Foundation to support their breast cancer awareness and education programs.
  
• Bundled Discount
  Buy 3 full size warmers, 4 plug-in warmers and 9 scents bars for $150.  This is a $200 value!  This is a Melissa Elliot special, so in order to take advantage of this deal, you’ll need to e-mail her directly: mel.easley@gmail.com

Thank you in advanced for your support!  If you want to donate additional funds to the cause, please feel free to visit the tax-free donation site directly.