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Everyday in September and again in October, I walked  4.3 miles per day. Total miles = 258 miles!  Prior  to April 15th I never walked more than 2500 steps a day!  My morning daily walk exceeds 10,000 steps. What a huge difference in my life.
Thank you to all of my donors who supported me and WCRC!   Hugs to everyone!

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Yay! I finished my 25th walk this past Saturday, delivered 25 masks for the homeless and mailed the last of my 40 postcards and letters!  I have yet to make double digits on yoga classes or meditating, but I can be the serenest, I know I can!
I almost forgot -- I also reached my fundraising goal -- thank you, thank you, thank you to my incredible sponsors!

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My daughter and I participated for the first time in 2019, and wanted to contribute again to this great cause. We decided to do a 10 mile family bike ride since the pool is closed, and the ride a couple fo days ago.

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Cherise, Cadence, and Ladera Oaks Swim Team

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Cherise, Cadence, and Ladera Oaks Swim Team

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Everyone on our swim team practice group swam the mile (66 laps / 1,650 yards x 13 people = 858 laps /
21,450 yards!) yesterday! The coaches separated everyone into different heats and others who weren't swimming in the heat cheered on and lap counted for those who were swimming.

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Until the ashes began to land , I was swimming 4 times a week and met my goal just in time. But it isn't about wracking up the numbers- though those feel like an accomplishment. On a deeper level,  being in the outdoors and moving, breathing deep and being in gratitude is  how I am honoring both the wonderful WCRC and in memory of my wife who passed away this may 2020.
Annie on the left, me on the right!

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My 17 miles of the 25 miles

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My first 8 miles of the 25 miles

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My personal lifeguard kept me safe while I took on the 2.5 mile kayak challenge.  Thanks, Cherise!!

Now, back to fundraising!

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How I did it......

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Completed my 2.5 miles to celebrate Swim A Mile's 25th Anniversary!

Enjoyable, totally!

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My daughter Katie is 11 years old and this is her first Swim, though she has been a volunteer in the past. She ran a 2K and has been doing karate 3 days/week! She surpassed her goal to raise $800! I'm so proud of her! Go, Katie!!

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I am leaning in to boost my fundraising in the last weeks of October... by offering to Move A Mile in Silly Walk Style!  Donors over $50 can name their preferred silly walk, and I'll create a GIF for them.

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Did my swim a mile at Keller Cove, Richmond, on Sunday, Sept 27th,  It was a perfect day with glassy water and smooth swimming!  So,, far, I've raised over $700 and the donations keep on coming. Thanks to all my sponsors for making this great day happen!

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A dozen family/friends and I raised >$2,100 for the 2020 campaign. My goal was $1,500. The total donations of over 20 donors and I for the 2016-2020 period is >$10,500.  As background, I've not been in a pool since late Feb. '20, not bicycled 25+ miles since Oct. '18, and not run a 5K in over five yrs. (my stated goals on my SAM web page). On Saturday 3d, I bicycle 25 miles in 01:52:00 in the morning, and in the afternoon I swam at a friend's pool, covering the mile in 01:05:30. On  Sunday 4th, in mid-morning, I ran a distance of 2.5K before my thighs and calves quit on me. I'm very tired, but it's a great tired!  Happy 25th Anniversary, WCRC!!

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A dozen family/friends and I raised >$2,100 for the 2020 campaign. My goal was $1,500. The total donations of over 20 donors and I for the 2016-2020 period is >$10,500.  As background, I've not been in a pool since late Feb. '20, not bicycled 25+ miles since Oct. '18, and not run a 5K in over five yrs. (my stated goals on my SAM web page). On Saturday 3d, I bicycle 25 miles in 01:52:00 in the morning, and in the afternoon I swam at a friend's pool, covering the mile in 01:05:30. On  Sunday 4th, in mid-morning, I ran a distance of 2.5K before my thighs and calves quit on me. I'm very tired, but it's a great tired!  Happy 25th Anniversary, WCRC!!

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I went to Sunnyvale pool and swam my mile at 7am yesterday morning. I was not sure it would be open because of air quality but it was and I did. I have a few more friends who said they would donate. I'm happy I reached my $2,000 goal and a bit.

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I did it! I swam this morning, in between periods of horrible air quality. And since this year's Swim A Mile/ Move A Mile event was more free form, I swam a bonus 0.25 miles to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Women's Cancer Resource Center's  Swim A Mile fund raiser. For those keeping track, my 1.25 mile swim is 2,200 yards.

With your help I was able to exceed my fund raising goal, thank you! You are helping to keep the WCRC afloat during these challenging times and it is much appreciated.

Attached is my selfie before I swam.

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Ah, missing the invigorating community-uplifting energy of the Swim at Mills! Silver lining is that I finished my masks today! Here's a pic of my 25 masks that will go to homeless folks with pets in the Central Valley.
Thank you to all of my phenomenal donors, who are helping me to reach my $2,500 goal.
Miss you all and wishing you a weekend filled with the Swim spirit!

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Today is move in day to a new place. I wish I was jumping into the cool water at Mills instead. I’m running up and down 3 flights of stairs all day - sometimes with a box, sometimes not and thinking of all of you. ❤️ Miranda

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By now, 7:30 am on Saturday, I would have already been at the pool for a couple of hours. The food would be arriving from the kitchen, the coffee brewing, the pool covers coming off, with steam from the warm water commingling with the foggy air. It was always a magical time, the pause before the breath, before most other people arrived and joy spilled over the edges of my day. I miss you all.

I've almost reached my $2,500 fundraising goal. I'm so moved by the generosity of my donors -- of all the donors and volunteers who believe in WCRC and give of their hearts and time and wallets to support our mission.

I finished my first book, The Topeka School by Ben Lerner. The writing was solid, though I prefer linear stories. The jumps in perspective and time did echo the internal chaos of all the characters, none of whom I liked particularly much.

I'll start walking after the air clears and will be signing up to make political calls later this week.

This is me in 2018, right after I finished my mile. It was a rough one. I'd give anything to be doing it again today.

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Mile Complete & Fundraising at a New High!

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Mile Complete & Fundraising at a New High!

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I swam my mile this morning!  Heather Farms Pool in Walnut Creek. Kept some of my personal traditions. Body artwork (by BFF Phoebe Diamond), to help me channel some positive energy in and out; and my hubby as my lap counter, even though per county Covid regulations he had to stand outside a chain link fence. (Did tell the pool staff that he what he was doing and that he wasn’t a creeper 👀).
Fundraiser... in this year, a year unlike no other, generous friends and family members have contributed the highest amount in my 19 years of participation. As of today, $4,770!  I am both blown away and so appreciative!
-Kelly McGrath

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The postcards are done! Today I wrote my 25th postcard. Ten letters, too. I met my goal, but will continue to write.

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Movin' right along...
Mask-making holding steady at 18;
Meditations are up to eight;
Walks with Women in honor of RBG are at six;
Postcards are at 10 + 5 letters written, too;
Took my 6th yoga class today.
Looking forward to reaching 25!

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With 5 weeks to go, this is where I stand:

* Walking - more than 2.5 miles completed! 🎯

* Biking - 15 miles out of 25 miles achieved

* Swimming - .5 out of 1 mile goal achieved

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I *love* the flexibility of this year's "Swim!" I've pledged to swim 1 mile, walk-jog 2.5 miles, and bike 25 miles.

It hasn't been easy, but I'm making progress and motivated by WCRC's clients and the tremendous work its staff and volunteers do to make a difference in so many lives each year!

P.S. Want to add some color to your Padlet post? After you post, click on the 3 dots in the upper-right corner, and choose your favorite! :-)

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John Gouws reaches $2,000 Donations - and a second 10k run!

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John Gouws reaches $2,000 Donations - and a second 10k run!

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Thanks to the generosity of my donors, I’ve just completed my second 10K (I run one for every $1,000 donated through my page).

Here is the report:

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These are my Chosen Adventures for the Swim's 25th year:

Make 25 masks to donate to the homeless (through an organization my sister works with that supports homeless persons & their pets. See my progress below!);

Meditate for 25 minutes daily (I've gotten in six so far);

Take 25 Walks with Women in honor of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who always walked the walk (RIP, RBG. I did walk #5 today);

Write 25 post cards for the upcoming election (still coordinating a date with friends);

Take 25 on-line yoga classes (Have taken 4 classes so far.)

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For the 25th anniversary challenge, I'll walk up 25 of San Francisco's famous stairways. My favorite book is Adah Bakalinsky's Stairway Walks of San Francisco.

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For my 25th anniversary challenge, I plan to swim a mile, run 2.5 miles, and bike 25 miles!

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I'm so jazzed about the 25 moves.  I've requested donations for $1250 and then I will match them to make $2500!
I plan to swim 1  mile and walk 24 miles.  I will provide frequent updates on my FB account during October.  I also updated my FB profile with swim pics and even used the WCRC template circle.  What fun!

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It’s harder than getting a reservation at the French Laundry, but I swim a half mile ever time I manage to score a lane at the Pleasant Hill YMCA. I wear my Swim a Mile cap and dedicate every swim to WCRC.

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Took a 25 minute walk today with my son. I plan to make a couple of supportive calls this afternoon as part of my Move A Mile goal.

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Since I cannot walk or hike outside right now due to air quality concerns, I did 25 minutes of yoga on 9/12 and 9/13. I also made one supportive call yesterday. Need to do my second one today.

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She hates the water, but believes in the mission of the Women's Cancer Resource Center!

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I am so excited about this event! I am 17 years old, and I am challenging myself to walk 25 miles for the 25th anniversary! Every year, I swim for my mom, a cancer survivor. This fundraiser is a way for me to support other women with cancer and means a lot to me. I am honored to be part of the wonderful WCRC community, and I'm so grateful that Swim a Mile/ Move a Mile is still happening this year. Woohoo! <3

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Part of my challenge this year is to run a 10K for every $1,000 my donors contribute to the WCRC.

Here is my first 10K! Thank you Donors!

--John Gouws

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I will walk 25 miles one for each year of the swim.
I have volunteered at WCRC for over 20 years. I have personally seen all the center does for its clients.  I have seen how much the staff gives.  I have personally grown so much from being part of WCRC. At the center I have made and lost friends to cancer.  I have lost my father to cancer and one of my closest friends. I do this work and this walk to honor them all.
I am so proud of how far we have come from a small group of women who cared that patients were not getting education or help to now having a home where we can grow our offerings,  where we can have nutrition classes in a real kitchen,  where we can share what we do with other organizations.
I walk, donate and serve on the board for every woman who walks through our doors.

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I'm going to make an intentional move for my Swim A Mile/Move A Mile. I will make 25 phone calls to people who need a little extra support during this shelter-in-place time. We all need that personal connection. To add to that, I will take a walk while making those calls or in addition. So that's 25 supportive phone calls and 25 walks or hikes!

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Here's the 25th anniversary challenge I've set for myself:
- read 25 books
- walk 25 miles
- commit 25 acts of kindness
- raise at least $2,500 to support the work of WCRC!