92% of my goal! $183 left to raise...

$2067 raised...

Almost there! $233 left to raise!

$863 left to raise... 14 days!

Brunch for Breasts!

I have $888 left to raise and Kristina has $1338!
Join us for a brunch! Bring your Bosom Buddies and help us raise money for the 3Day Breast Cancer Awareness Walk! 60 miles, 3Days, $2300! Because everyone deserves a lifetime! In Memory of Barbara Logan and Marge 'Mimi' Downing! Come eat some great food cooked by my awesome Brother in law Matt and make a donation towards the cure!

PROGRESS!

Thanks to GREAT people!

KEEP OUR TREASURE CHESTS!

Dear Family and Friends,

It’s that time again! On July 23-25, 2010, I’ll be walking 60 miles over the course of three days, camping out at night with thousands of other women and men taking this journey with me. I'll be participating in the Breast Cancer 3-Day again, this time my father will be on the crew and my friend Kristina will be walking with me. The net proceeds will support breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment through Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund.

Since last year’s walk, I lost another family member to breast cancer. My Mimi died in March 2010. I also learned of a little 10 year old girl in California fighting this horrible disease. She is so young and treatment is tricky, as she is just a child and treatment is different for adults with cancer. The walk was an amazing experience last year. I met survivors, family members, people who were fighting it currently.
I am walking with Kristina as part of Keep Our Treasure Chests! We are walking towards keeping breasts everywhere cancer free! It is my goal to raise $2300. Please consider making a donation of at least $60, a dollar for each mile I will walk. If you feel so inclined, you can donate for each mile while I am training or more than $1 a mile I will walk in July. If you can’t give this amount all at once, you can spread it out over a few months, using the payment plan option, if you donate online at http://www.the3day.org/.

To make a donation, go to www.tarshastreasurechest.blogspot.com. Click on the 3-Day logo at the top of the page. It will bring you to my personal fundraising page. If you don’t want to donate online, you can send a check to me at 496 Cross Street, Boylston, MA 01505. Or you can call 800.996.3DAY to donate over the phone. I would like to reach my fundraising goal by July 19, 2010, so don’t delay!

Without a cure, one in eight women in the U.S. will continue to be diagnosed with breast cancer. That’s why I’m walking in the 3-Day, because everyone deserves a lifetime. Thank you for taking the time to read this letter, and thank you for your support!

Tarsha
P.S. I will be journaling on my blog again this year!

Treasure Chest ~ of a different sort

Tarsha's Treasure Chest was born in early 2008 while I was an AmeriCorps*VISTA at Hillview. I needed a catchy caption for a small box of treasures incentives I had for kids in the Give, Save, Spend program I ran. I thought it was kind of cheesy, but it worked.

Then in the of fall 2008, I decided to blog about my adventures as a nanny, so my family could be 'in the know'. Since these stories would be my own treasures, Tarsha's Treasure Chest was carried over as the name of my blog. I even starting thinking of it as cool. :) I'd write about the kids, my family, and share poems, quotes and little pieces that represented me. Tarsha's Treasure Chest ~ my own little virtual place in the world where I store my treasures in pictures and words.

It took on a whole new meaning in the fall of 2009 as we started building my very own treasure chest. Harper Joy became the real Tarsha's treasure chest, encompassing so many things I love, built with so many people I love.

Here we are in the early spring of 2010, and I have incorporated another passion into my Treasure Chest. They also go by ta-tas, boobies, second base, or simply breast. I am walking another 60 miles and raising another $2300 for breast cancer awareness and research with my friend Kristina! My father is crewing in Boston as well on July 23-25. Our team name, none other than

Keep Our Treasure Chests!

Click here if you would like to support me in my effort!

Thats why we wak

3Day Journey Part 2

Sister support!

Team T's for B's (Tia, Tarsha, and Tia for Barb and breasts of our beloved!) Tracy, Tricia, Tarsha, Trina, Tanya, and Cousin Beth! They cheered me on Sunday through the finish line!

Tracy and I, she cheered me on with Daddy and Ben for 2 days!

My charismatic brother-by-law Ben!

My Mom came and walked with me for 4 miles on Saturday! Thanks Mom ~ I love you and appreciate your support!

For 3 days, between walking miles and miles, this is what I did. I think the stretching part was my favorite NO DOUBT!

My marvelous Bridge (small group) friends came to cheer me on! Thanks Jason for coordinating it! Joy, Me, Randall, Jason, Tim, Kristina, Aimee, and Lynn ~I am truly blessed to have these individuals in my life!

Joy, my training walk partner was at the finish line! Thanks Joy for training with me and cheering me on!

Daddy! My biggest fan! He solicited funds and support for me everywhere he went! He also signed up to crew in 2010! I love you Daddy!

Uncle Ric, Tia, Tarsha, and Daddy (Bruce) ~ Their sister, Aunt Barb died of breast cancer in the 1970s

I keep walking ...
In honor of my Aunt Barb and for my sisters, mother, cousins, daughters, friends...

Joy, helping me stretch

Thanks again to all who supported me, whether it was prayers, dying my hair pink, financial support, cheering me on or just asking me about the journey!

Tarsha's 2009 Boston Breast Cancer 3Day Journey Part 1

It all began on a rainy Friday morning at Farm Pond, where we braved the wet and the mud and faced the first day with excitement and smiles. The 19.7-mile route featured many memorable highlights, including some incredible support at Bertucci's in Wellesley. After a long, wet day of walking, we settled in to camp.

Saturday's 22-mile day also featured some great support along the route, including the Granite Angels at the top of Belmont Hill, the cheerleaders at Arlington High School and numerous cheering stations at Horn Pond, Heritage Farm and the YMCA in Woburn. We were cheered on by the Minute Men in Lexington, the Pink Posse and the Fallen Angels. Thanks also to the Candy Castle in Lexington and Shaw's Supermarket. Sunday's 15.3-mile route wound through Cambridge, including a picturesque walk through Harvard Square. Along the way, we enjoyed free donuts at Sofra and support at the Mt. Auburn Star Market. On the way into Boston, we walked through Boston Common and the public garden, through Downtown Crossing and along the waterfront and past JFK Library. It all ended with a celebratory Closing Ceremony at the University of Massachusetts.

Walking, Walking, Walking

Hello Friends and Family,

Thanks for all the support thus far as I readied myself for this exciting challenge. Whether it has been prayer, money, walking with me, dying my hair pink, or just asking me how its going, it is ALL greatly appreciated! If you feel so inclined to support me 'up close and personal' during my walk, the following locations are designated as cheering stations and for opening/closing ceremonies. I will be walking by these places and the familiar faces would bring great encouragement. I already know of several faces I'll see there and this makes me a very happy daughter sister friend girl! :)


Opening Ceremony - Friday, July 24
6 am Farm Pond 100 Dudley Road Framingham, MA 01702

Cheering Stations -Friday, July 24
9:00 am - 11:30 am Hunnewell Playground Parking at Stars Market, 448 Washington Street
Wellesley, MA 02482
11:15 am - 3:00 pm Learning Prep School 1507 Washington Street Newton, MA 02465

Cheering Stations -Saturday, July 25
10:15 am - 3:30 pm YMCA-Greater Boston Area: North Suburban Family Branch, 175 Lexington Street, Woburn, MA 01801
11:30 am - 5:45 pm Friendly’s Restaurant 1111 Waltham Street Lexington, MA 02421

Cheering Stations -Sunday, July 26
8:15 am - 11:15 AM Cambridge City Hall 795 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA 02139

Closing Ceremony -Sunday, July 26 5:00 pm
5 pm University of Massachusetts 100 William T Morrissey Blvd. Dorchester, MA 02125

You should arrive at the Closing Ceremony site by 3:30 pm to secure a space by the stage that will give them the best view of the program. Please allow extra time for travel and parking. Maybe I'll see you there! I'll be the sweaty girl with pink hair and pink shoes. Try and spy me in a crowd of 2,000 plus :) Thanks again and I can't wait to embark on such an incredible journey!

I have the best people!

Something about 100%!! Now about those 60 miles!

Almost there!

82% of the way...$407 left!

69% OF THE WAY...Thanks Friends and Family!

My 3Day Page

54% of the way there...

46% of the way and 19 days left!

Thats how she rolls rides...

Riding her bike in a mini skirt and cowgirl boots! What do you wear?

Walking, walking, walking

Walking for my girls and your mother, sister, daughter, aunt, and friend!

(For those of you who know them well, can you guess who is who?)

I am walking, doing Pilates, and bike riding in preparation for the upcoming 60 miles! Only 45 days until the walk starts. I have raised $901 so far (39%) and only need $1399 more to meet my goal of $2300. Making a donation online is safe and easy HERE! Every little bit counts! Thank you to all my family and friends who have made generous donations to the 3Day on my behalf, and a special thanks to my Mom and Joy for their financial support AND for walking with me! And I would be remiss if I didn't say an additional thanks to Matthew and Aliya for biking 3 miles daily as I walk! Have I mentioned how blessed I am lately?!

You've Got Mail!

My motivation and inspiration! Sisters, mothers, wives, aunts, and best friends!

There’s nothing like a letter from a loved one to inspire you to keep going. Your friends, family and supporters can write a letter to you, which we’ll deliver to you on the event at the Breast Cancer 3-Day Camp Post Office.

Send letters to:

Breast Cancer 3-Day Camp Post Office

ATTN: TARSHA DOWNING

P.O. Box 8534

Warwick, RI 02888

Envelopes only, please. No boxes or large packages. Mail must be postmarked no later than July 14th in order to ensure delivery at the Breast Cancer 3-Day Camp Post Office.

I got this email and wanted to share it with my family and friends! Can't support me financially or physically (by being there in Boston to cheer me on!)? Well send me your love and support in the form of a letter, drawing, or picture! Who doesn't like mail, and who wouldn't want it after 20 miles of walking in the hot sun? It will help just to know I am supported while I support a good cause! And it'll only cost you $0.42, no wait, $0.43?! Or is it $0.44 now?

Matt's not afraid of hills anymore!

.

Hannah has Breast Cancer

Hannah, age 10, was unfortunately diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma, Stage IIA (Breast Cancer). This beautiful young woman, daughter, big sister, niece, granddaughter and beloved shining spirit is the typical 10 year old girl. She loves to play sports, ride her bike, watch Hannah Montana and just be a kid. Her positive outlook on life, as well as her strong will, will carry her through this trying time.

As I train and raise money for the 3 Day in July, I am becoming more aware of the impact breast cancer has on families. I've heard stories about young mothers, sisters, daughters, friends, aunts, and cousins having the disease and fighting for their life. But this young girl Hannah's story has impacted me the most! First, her name brings it home. My 5 year old niece Hannah means the world to me (and everyone else in our family) and just the thought of something this terrible happening to her seems unimaginable. No child should have to fight this. Second, she is only 10 years old!! Will this disease even allow her to become a wife, mother, and aunt? From her website: "The issue at hand is how to treat her as she is a child with an adult disease and the hospitals that deal with breast cancer do not typically treat children, and the Children's hospital do not have the facilities to treat breast cancer. We have two options at this point; (A) Hannah goes to a breast center that does not have the experience in children or (B) she goes to a hospital that has more pediatric care but not so much in the breast cancer area." Her parents must make these decisions. The journey Hannah and her family is on is a roller coaster, the big and scary kind people often opt NOT to ride. Hannah doesn't have the choice. She already had a mastectomy of the affected breast and is now undergoing chemo. She'll lose her hair, so she's having a party and shaving it off beforehand. Based on her website, Hannah is handling this well and eager to take care of business and rid her body of this cancer. Her strong will and positive attitude makes me excited to be a part of the Boston Breast Cancer 3Day walk to raise awareness and money for research to eradicate this disease.

Please consider making a donation to the Breast Cancer 3Day in honor of the Hannah(s) in your life. I sure will be.