Saturday, October 10, 2009

Sundays In My City #10 - Run!

Do you know Unknown Mami? She's awesome and she created a fun Sunday theme inviting you to get out and take pictures of your city to share with the rest of us. Click here for details and her logo and click here to see Unknown Mami's City today.

Last week I was inspired by a Sundays In My City post by my friend Christine who participated in a March for Mental Health in Santa Monica, CA. While Christine was marching, I was cheering on a great group of people who participated in the Lupus Race for Life in LaMirada, CA whihc is about 45 minutes south of Los Angeles.

Below are three dynamite little girls--Rosebud, Angelica and BB. They are 6 and 7 years old! Rosebud and Angelica's mom both have lupus and BB's Auntie has the disease. Angelica raced on Team Garcia and Rosebud and BB worked all year long and raised more than $1000 in sponsorships! When I watched the girls run their little legs off in the kid's 3K Race, I cried and cheered and was inspired by their generosity and determination. Looks at those gorgeous faces! Their Mom's are so proud of them and I am too.

In all, nearly 3,000 people ran the race and more than 1,500 kind folks volunteered and joined in to make the event a big success.

It was a crowed starting line filled with people of all shape, sizes and ages. Tons of individuals and families, friends, and law enforcement and fire fighters formed teams to run and raise much needed fund for lupus support groups and research.

As I watched all the enthusiastic runners take off, I choked back sobs. I was diagnosed with lupus 16 years ago and there are times it's totally kicked my butt. "Running" is not an option for me, my body can't take it anymore, but to think so many others got up at dawn to run and raise money for lupus humbled me.

I loved watching the participants. I can't imagine running a 5K carrying that big flag, but he lead his team and they all finished together.

This woman was happy at the starting line and happy at the finish line! The crowd loved her!

This group of officers marched in formation and chanted "gung ho" type songs the entire time! They ran in unison and you could hear their footsteps before you saw them coming up the hill to finish. It was pretty cool.

The California Highway Patrol helped clear the way for runners. Check out the little guy running!

Some of the runners won these for being the fastest or raising the most money.

All the runners got a tee shirt that looked like this.

And lots of groups made their own Team tee shirts.

I especially liked seeing Team shirts honoring lupus survivors.

And when I saw Team shirts like this, my heart broke, and I cried even more.

After the Race, runners were treated to a hot breakfast prepared by an awesome group of LA's first responders.

Everyone ate a lot of pancakes and sausage...

And there was plenty of this to go around!
It was a great but very emotional day for me. Lupus International is the organization I turned to when I was first diagnosed and my husband and I have been involved with them ever since.

A million thanks to Lupus Race For Life participants who helped make it all happen: California Highway Patrol, Los Angeles Sheriff, Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles County Fire Department, Orange County Fire Authority, and Orange County Sheriff's Department. These men and woman are the greatest and their help was invaluable. And thanks to all the other runners, volunteers and staff at Lupus International. I sincerely appreciate your support. I'll be back again next year to cheer everyone on!

How's your Sunday?
Welcome to The Fifty Factor - Joanna

58 comments:

  1. Truly inspiring. The three little girls especially touched my heart.

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  2. This sort of event is just so heartwarming...people are wonderful...I can see that it would be an emotional day for you dear girl...my love to you...

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  3. It's so uplifting to openly show support for a just cause! So much energy and good will in this event, it is simply contagious.
    A wonderful post. Thank you!

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  4. this makes my heart swell. thanks joanne... happy sunday!

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  5. Joanna thank you for sharing your race for a cure..it brings tears to my eyes and warms my heart to see so many out doing their part for a cure. In SLC I always did the Breast Cancer race for a cure and I'm not really a runner so I'd fast walk and it was emotional and joyful to see the sea of pink. I hope a cure is found for so many disease out there. Have a wonderful Sunday my friend!

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  6. This was a great post, Joanna! I don't know which was more inspiring: to see a huge group of people come together for one cause or to see the great enthusiasm run the gambit from the wee little boy running to the older lady that everyone cheered for at the beginning and end!

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  7. Running in formation is fun and impressive. And so was this post!

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  8. great post joanna. so cool when people come together for a common cause, as well as to have someone to turn to in out hour of need. cheer for a cure. hope it was a great sunday in your city.

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  9. Oh wow,what a beautiful post this was!! How utterly inspiring to see all of those people coming together. Those girls are just beautiful and I am loving the name Rosebud.

    Have a beautiful sunday!

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  10. WOW!!! What a large turnout for such a great event!!! I had no idea that these things went on! You always here about the "race for breast cancer" or some other equally terrible disease of condition. Thanks for bringing this to my attention!

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  11. When I see us humans all pulling together at something like this it always makes me teary with happiness, more so when you see the effort of the children. Wonderful.

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  12. What a touching post.

    When I do a physical event, I try to do it for a cause. I can't always give, but if I can raise $$$ for others, I do.

    At the moment, too out of shape, but will again.

    Thanks again for posting, another reminder why I have to get back in shape.

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  13. I would've been a big pile of slobbering mush on the sidelines of this.
    As it is, I'm tearing up just reading about it.
    There is always an energy that buzzes at events like this that catches my heart and reminds me that people are good and kind and caring.
    The officers in formation ... hearing their footsteps before you saw them ... that would've given me goosebumps.

    I missed the part where you have Lupus. I will educate myself today by googling.
    Enjoy your Sunday, Joanna!

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  14. I love the little guy running.
    Very touching post.

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  15. A very moving post. Thanks for sharing.

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  16. Excellent post. Thank you, Joanne.

    Such powerful & positive energy for a very challenging disease. Reading about this event and viewing the photos, brought tears to this 57 yr. old man with Lupus. There is hope, drive and enthusiasm to find the cure.

    Thank you for the optomism that this post will bring to many.

    Blessings!

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  17. Those three little girls are wonderful. They will be great women one day. I also love seeing so many people come together for a cause.

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  18. I have known two people who had Lupus, and they both have passed away. I think that it is wonderful when people like you and others bring these diseases to the forefront!

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  19. One of my best friends has lupus.
    I wish I would have known about this walk, I would have gone.

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  20. this post made me teary-eyed, it's great to see so many people teaming up for a great cause.

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  21. Your post is admirable and so is your determination to help spread information on good health.

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  22. I love the energy at group races, such positive energy! We have a friend with Lupus and she does have some challenges which she handles with grace. xoxo

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  23. Can I tell you...years ago I worked for a woman, she was my boss and she drove me crazy...imagine Devil Wears Prada...and when she was in her really crazy bitch cycle, it was mostly because they needed to adjust her Lupus meds.

    For a long time because of the abuse I took from her, I couldn't have cared less about them finding a cure for Lupus.

    And, then I met you and now I can't stand the disease and I want it gone. SO, I'll remember that when I have some money to share.

    And, those things you called, "gung ho" songs? The military calls them "Jodies." SO I taught you something today because I've learned that now that Evan is in the military!

    Love you Ms. Periwinkle...perfect color for you btw.

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  24. sorry about having lupus, but such a neat organization to help people deal with it and what a dedicated bunch of volunteers and participants!!! always warms my heart when there are people out there helping others :)

    betty

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  25. I love when people take control of problems that Life has thrown at them; you could easily be sitting on your couch at home feeling sorry for yourself but you've decided instead to get up and be a part of something.

    And I love the little runners, how sweet!

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  26. Makes you realize you're not alone.

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  27. What a wonderful way to heighten the awareness of this disease and bring everyone together. My friend was diagnosed with Lupus just this year. Up until then I didn´t even know what it was.
    Great post!

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  28. What a wonderful post! I participate in the annual "Light the Night" walk for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, in memory of my best friend's grandson who lost his fight with leukemia when he was 11. There is just something so inspiring about joining together with a group of people, mostly strangers, who are all united for a single cause. When night falls, we all walk with our lighted balloons, with colors designating whether we are walking to honor someone's memory, are a survivor, or a current patient. It never fails to turn me to mush and to firm my resolve to continue to be involved. My walk is next weekend - I'll try to post pictures!

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  29. I am so thankful that I could read this post today! And so thankful for the men and women and children that ran and raised money! What a great thing! I will pray today that you feel good and have a wonderful week! God bless Miss Joane!

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  30. That's awesome. It warms my heart when people come together for a cause.

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  31. Wonderful tribute to all who have been afflicted. Your pictures did most of your talking!

    I grew up about 15 minutes from La Mirada in Buena Park! With the great weather in CA, one can find a race almost every weekend within a half hour of where they live.

    Great post!!!

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  32. Joanna,

    Thank you for a personable and educational visit to your city. I've heard of Lupus but never really knew what it was. After reading your story, I researched it and now I understand. I hope your condition isn't so bad, and that life is still good for you.

    Again, thanks for bringing this disease to our attention. They say that you learn something new every day. I have.

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  33. Joanna,

    I'm sobbing! This post was so unbelievably touching and inspiring. People can be sooo good.

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  34. Cheering for any race makes me cry. I'm such a sap for this kind of thing. It just inspires me, makes me proud to be alive. I cry when people I don't even know cross the finish line. Seriously...I am not a huge crier. Races like this just touch me. Thanks for the great post. Holly at lifelaughlatte.blogspot.com

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  35. great to see people coming together. Thanks for the pics and for sharing your personal side of it too.

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  36. Hey everyone, Thanks for your kind comments. I really appreciate it. It was an amazing and inspiring day that was also a lot of fun. I hope you're having a great Sunday!

    Keep those cards and letters coming. I love hearing from you.

    xo

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  37. Awesome! I lost a classmate to Lupus when I was 16. Cheers to all those who made this possible, and to doing it all again next year.

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  38. What a truly inspiring post! Thank you so much for putting all of this together and sharing it with us.
    I could hardly believe it when I read that those three little girls raised over 1,000 dollars. I hope they got some kind of an award too.

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  39. I can feel the pride coming off the screen, Joanna. Great post.

    Pearl

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  40. Thank you for highlighting this. I learned a lot today.

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  41. Wow, this is an awesome post!! Very heart warming and inspiring!! The little guy running is precious!! enJOY your day!!

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  42. You have me teary-eyed. This was a beautiful, touching post. I'm so glad to see so many people participating. They aren't running with their legs, they run with their hearts. Beautiful.

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  43. Very inspiring post, Joanna!
    I'm sorry I'm late to your post. I should have seen this yesterday but I didn't.

    Hugs!!

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  44. Yes, but they all look so ..... active....
    :))

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  45. Yes, but they all look so ..... active....
    :))

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  46. Yes, but they all look so ..... active....
    :))

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  47. Yes, but they all look so ..... active....
    :))

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  48. Wow, that is amazing. Very cool race. What a turnout for a great cause.

    Glad you enjoyed the Cleveland photos!

    I like your blog and am following and looking forward to reading more especially Sundays in Your City.

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  49. What a great idea, fun post and great pics! :)

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  50. Love this tribute to such a great cause. My aunt has Lupus and is currently battling one of her toughest fights to date. Even while on chemo, she not only does walks like this, but she runs marathons and competes in triathlons. Lupus survivors are heroes.

    Thank you.

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  51. I am happy when I see lupus mentioned anywhere.

    One of my daughter's has it and it is not a fun disease.

    She was diagnosed at 21 and was on chemo for it for over a year.

    Take care.

    Renee xoxo

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Thanks for stopping by and commenting, I really appreciate it.