2008 Twin Cities Breast Cancer 3-Day Expo

This past Saturday, I volunteered to help out at the Breast Cancer 3-Day Expo, where walkers and crew had a chance to see a glimpse of what the 3-Day is all about. The expo answered all those frequently asked questions - How big are the tents we sleep in at the campsite? What should I pack? What kind of shoes and socks should I wear? - not just in words, but by showing the tents and allowing walkers to shop for some of the necessary gear (like sports bras...sorry, couldn't resist). And there were plenty of workshops, where 3-Day veterans shared words of wisdom and hopefully put to rest at least some of the fear and trepidation that nearly every first-timer has.

I greeted visitors at the Her Voice Campaign area, where walkers could record a 30-second videotape message to describe why they are a part of the 3-Day. Her Voice is new to the 3-Day this year; the videos are uploaded to a website and walkers can e-mail the link to their supporters, to put a face to their message. Only a handful of people were willing to record a message. I'm guessing it's that Minnesota shyness thing...although my past experience on the 3-Day makes me think that there must have been another reason - maybe it was because so many women had just come in from a training walk and didn't feel they were at their most photogenic. Or maybe it had something to do with that odd-looking dark-haired fellow in a 3-Day t-shirt trying to persuade them to go in front of the camera! (By the way, why is it "Her Voice"? What about "His Voice"?)

Here's my friend Dawn (left) and her co-worker, at a table where walkers and family members could make posters to cheer on walkers or write letters that will ultimately be delivered to 3-Day participants at a special mailbox...on the event!







The expo was a rousing success, as several hundred women (and men) got a sneak peek at the 2008 Twin Cities 3-Day. Hopefully, we didn't scare too many of them off! I heard that there are approximately 3,500 walkers registered to walk in the Twin Cities on Sept 19-21. It sure seemed like most of them were at the Expo!

Scott's Official 3-Day Countdown: 80 days until Day 1 (holy cow - is that all?)