I wasn’t prepared for cancer – period.

by Gillian Larson

Who knows how to mentally and emotionally prepare for the loss of part of your body, the changes with your hair, skin and weight? I certainly did not. I didn’t realize I would have zero energy to continue my mom role of laundry, lunches, meals, cleaning and chauffeuring my teens to their sports. It was during this time my community did something I couldn’t do for myself, they rallied. They surrounded me with support both physically and emotionally, they helped take care of my kids, which for a mom is key!

"WHY Reality Rally "

I was diagnosed with breast cancer on April 11, 2012 and was dreading delivering the news to my four teenagers who had just a year earlier almost lost their dad. Not surprisingly, although it was difficult, they handled it like champs. After seven surgeries, eight rounds of chemotherapy, and 28 days of radiation I was left cancer free but wouldn’t have described myself as ‘free’. I wasn’t prepared for the anxiety and depression that accompanied the cancer.

Sunday Hospital

When I heard about Michelle’s Place and what they do for women, especially the support and practical help they provide, I knew I had to rally behind them. Imagine a world where instead of tearing each other down, we decided to rally around those who need it most. This is the core of human nature when disaster strikes, we jump in and help. As much bad news as there is to be shared, there are equally as many stories of the human heart raising to the occasion, look no further than the recent flooding in Houston Texas to see the heartwarming stories of assistance.

 

The word rally has a couple different meanings, it could be a large gathering, a group of people gathering to support a person or cause or it could represent the spirit of a person raising to the occasion and fighting back. Reality Rally encompasses all three in one 3-day event. My why to raising funds and attending the 2016 Reality Rally is simple: the cause hit close to home. 

When I heard about Michelle’s Place and what they do for women, especially the support and practical help they provide, I knew I had to rally behind them. Imagine a world where instead of tearing each other down, we decided to rally around those who need it most. This is the core of human nature when disaster strikes, we jump in and help. As much bad news as there is to be shared, there are equally as many stories of the human heart raising to the occasion, look no further than the recent flooding in Houston Texas to see the heartwarming stories of assistance.

Why Reality Rally? Because this event is more than simply a ‘rally’ like you’d see for a political party. Reality Rally brings together giving people, who spend time and energy raising funds for women who need it more than you can imagine. Its more than an event, it’s more than a group of reality stars running a race, it’s a time to rally for women who are facing the battle for their lives. It’s more than money, it’s an opportunity for these women to see they are worth the effort. This event is a powerful signal to those facing breast cancer that they are not alone. The result, of course is funds for support, but equally as important is that our sisters, our mothers, our friends see that they are not alone. When they realize others will take time from their lives to support them, they are given a gift of hope that ultimately results in their own rally to fight.

 I choose Reality Rally because I remember what it felt like to need and to receive the practical support of my community, it ultimately gave me a gift, the gift of hope - something money cannot buy. That hope energized me enough to rally for myself and kick cancer in the butt and that’s exactly what we do in this fun 3-day event for women.  Reality Rally gave me the opportunity to give what I once needed and the truth is both the givers and the receivers walk away knowing it’s much more than a rally for funds, it’s a rally for the human spirit.  

Thank you Sunday for sharing why you chose to attend Reality Rally and raise funds for Michelle's Place

Many of you will know that Sunday was a contestant on the TV show Survivor and she shared with us how Survivor really helped her survive the last part of her journey to recovery. Read her earlier blog story.

Sunday's Survivor Hero moment story

Sunday shared her "WHY" at the opening ceremonies at Reality Rally. She then led the crowd as we waved our pink hands in tribute to those who fight the fight as we all sang "You wont dance alone"

That is Michelle's Place vision, "Let no one face cancer alone" and that is the Reality Rally "Why". Why we raise funds to help them in provide all the amazing services through their center.

 Looking at Sunday on the Reality Rally Red Carpet at our Celebrity Receprion we see that she knows she has made a difference in the lives of others by being at Reality Rally She knows raising funds so others fighting the same fight she did would contribute to the support she knows is what makes that journey so much easier.

We loved having you with us Sunday and look forward to your return to Reality Rally 3rd,4th,5th 2018  

 

Sunday Red Carpet

 Cover photo compliments of Richard Kee Photography

Blog content photos compliments of Dale Porter/Killer Image Photography

 

Save the dates and join us in 2018 to have "Fun for Funds" and help us make a difference.

Reality Rally 2018  May 3rd,4th,5th

Read all about it. Reality Rally and sign up to recieve our News Updates on our website

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