President's Thoughts-Join the Journey

May is such a wonderful month! It brings satisfaction and relief for having another completed winter and happy anticipation for summer and all things growing and green. It brings occasions to gather with family and friends in order to share holidays that remember and honor those dear to us. It brings school and church rituals to celebrate certain rites of passage with our young people. The “to-do lists” may be intimidating but the smell of blossoms in the air is exhilarating, isn’t it?!

Summer activities abound! We have been busy with preparations for our Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Walk and our website is now ready to accept your registrations and team pledges. We are delighted to be invited to participate in the RochesterFest Parade on June 25. Come on down and give us a wave when you see us float past on Big Red, our dragon boat. Making Waves, our floating support group, is gearing up to get back on the waters of Silver Lake and is hoping to participate in at least two dragon boat races. You Go Girls! We’ve also been invited to be a community partner at the Honker’s baseball game on Sunday, August 1. Bring your family and friends out and join us as we “root, root, root for the home team,” and don’t forget to wear your pink hat or shirt — and your sunscreen.

Participation in all of these activities helps us to not only stay socially connected and enjoy one another, it helps our organization carry out part of our mission – to raise awareness about breast cancer. As I write this today my heart is heavy with the very recent passing of a Join the Journey participant, a beautiful young woman diagnosed with breast cancer five years ago. She was the epitome of living life to the fullest – quick to smile, pouring positive energy into whatever was on her plate, loving freely and completely. In Cat’s honor, I implore you to enjoy each moment as you enter this next season. Savor every experience. Make happy memories.

With Gratitude,
Elynn Welle
Join the Journey President