Anne Washburn

Check out the new header image, which includes everyone who was there Saturday EXCEPT our intrepid photographer, Anne Washburn. Please check our her photographs on our Flickr page and when you see her along the route with her trusty Nikon, give her a smile and a thank you.

Each of the folks in this photo have his or her reasons for participating in Gilda’s Gang. Some are cancer survivors or caregivers. Some have been touched by cancer in other ways. Some saw it as an opportunity to reach a goal to finish a half marathon and serve a good cause at the same time.

Gilda's Gang members finished strong on Saturday when we covered 4 miles. Photo by A. Washburn.

There are other charity training programs out there. We chose Gilda’s Gang for a reason. Mine includes a long list of people I love who have been hurt or lost to cancer and being witness to the love, compassion and healing that Gilda’s Club Nashville brings to families, friends and survivors who are hurting.

What’s yours?

As he led me to the dance floor at a wedding five years ago, I was charmed by his accent;  I had minored in French in college and still love the language even though I can barely speak it now. But I was more enamored of his obvious joie de vivre — even in the face of a serious cancer diagnosis — and his love for Josette, his wife, and his girls, Kim and Lea.

I remembered this as Kim kicked off the seventh season of Gilda’s Gang with her “member minute” two weeks ago. I remembered his charm. His wit. His sense of humor. And his smile. Gilles really had a great smile.

Unfortunately, Kim says, they were unaware of Gilda’s Club when her father was in treatment. They found Gilda’s services after his death on Feb. 10 four years ago.

“This place has been a huge part of my journey through grief and a huge part of my healing,” Kim says. “There are girls from my support group who have become my sisters.

“Thank you for what you are doing. It is a huge accomplishment to do 13.1 miles, so congratulations on that. But you are doing something even greater for people you don’t even know. You are doing this for strangers and that is an awesome, awesome gift.”

Thank you, Kim, for sharing your story and inspiring our team as we train for the Country Music Marathon and raise funds that are so important to keep the red door open for everyone impacted by cancer, free of charge.

We will all be thinking of you and your family as Feb. 10 approaches. Anniversaries are never easy.

And I will be remembering your father’s smile. He would be so proud of you.

PS – Here is Kim’s FirstGiving page. Please consider supporting her training.

Neil Harrington demonstrates how to make a Peanut Butter and Banana Smoothie.

Neil Harrington, a dietetic intern who joined us for the kick-off health fair a couple of weeks ago, told us that as we train, we have to think of food as fuel. You know it’s not wise to drive your car on fumes. Same is true for our bodies.

It’s a big mistake to take off on your morning training walk or run without breakfast, but for a lot of us, having to think about what to eat and prepare it is just one more obstacle to getting out of bed and hitting the pavement.

Neil shared this recipe for a smoothie that couldn’t be easier — or tastier.

Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie

• 10 oz. cold milk (skim, 2% or whole – your choice)
• 1 ripe banana
• A large spoonful of peanut butter (chunky or smooth, and how big a spoonful is up to you)
• Cinnamon or vanilla to taste

In a blender, blend the milk and banana together till smooth. Add the peanut butter and blend. Flavor to taste with cinnamon or vanilla.

Neil said that adding ice gives it a slightly different texture, as does freezing the banana before blending.

Give it a try, and let us know what you think.

What do you eat before training? Any recipes to share?

Over the past 24 hours, I have learned of the deaths of three — count ‘em, three — acquaintances who have died of their cancers.

None was what I would classify as a close friend so my anger and grief at their passing is nothing compared to what their family and friends are feeling. But I am angry. Very angry. All three were in the prime of their lives. They had family and friends who loved them. They had more to contribute to this world.

Yes, this post is short. But it could have been even shorter.

I hate cancer.