Remembrance and a Special Announcement

Today marked the first anniversary of Peggy’s passing.

We have been extraordinarily blessed with a tremendous outpouring of love and support over the last year. For that we have been and continue to feel incredibly grateful.

Today was no exception - a deluge of phone calls, cards, emails and texts. Additionally, several members of Peggy’s posse gathered in person at St. Mary’s in Milford for a remembrance mass in her honor (thank you to Peggy’s sister Laura for organizing).

Now for the announcement. Thanks to your generous donations, the gym renovations at St. Augustine/St Monica are now complete! Monsignor Trapp (one of Peggy’s friends from Divine Child High School) will be blessing the gym floor after 10 o'clock mass this Sunday December 15th.  All posse members welcome! 

For those interested, the address is 4151 Seminole Street, Detroit, 48214.

The 9/8 Peggy's Posse Event is a success!

THANK YOU and kudos to all of the EMBRACE LIFE 5K event participants!

Over 30 members of Peggy’s Posse were able to attend on Sunday! SUCCESS despite such short lead time!!

Each Posse member wore a commemorative 'Peggy's Posse' pin in the front (thanks to Keith's friend who made these for us!) plus a badge on our backs bearing Peggy's name and any other loved ones who were also being celebrated. 

It's no surprise...a fabulous time was had by all! How could it not be with such a fabulous group, fabulous weather plus the bonus of group calorie burn)?!? 

And, we all felt Peggy's spirit with us throughout the entire 3.1 mile course (cheering everyone on to keep going, just like she used to while teaching aerobics)!

THANK YOU again.

-Melissa & the 5K coordinators (Debbie, Donna, Ruth)

Update #3 on 9/8 Peggy's Posse Event

THANK YOU to everyone who responded in some way to let us know that scheduling a ‘Peggy’s Posse’ event was a good idea.  We felt this venue provided an easy opportunity to get together for who was available.  As you can imagine, no date/location/event would be a match for everyone, so this was just an initial step.  This time we are simply meeting to walk (or run for some) in memory of Peggy and we expect we will be talking/reminiscing while we walk.  Who knows what the future will bring!

While some ‘Posse’ members have had a change in plans and now cannot participate, other ‘Posse’ members have decided to join this event.  We have about 35 people participating.

Those of you who registered on-line for the EMBRACE LIFE run/walk should have received an email from smmlnews@trinity-health.org with additional race day details.  We were excited to learn that there will be beads and back bibs as recognition for survivors and caregivers.

Reminders:

• See the Update #2 blog for details on meeting time/location, green t-shirts, and “Peggy’s Posse / KMA” buttons.
• It’s not too late to participate!  Paper registration forms and payments will still be accepted Friday, Sept. 6 at Packet Pickup and on Race Day, Sept. 8, 7-8:30 a.m. The registration fee is $30 and can be paid for with cash or check.

 See you Sunday!  We expect Peggy to be cheering us on in spirit.

 Melissa and the 5K Coordinators (Ruth, Debbie, Donna)

Update #2 on 9/8 Peggy’s Posse Event

Thanks to all of you who communicated that you will be participating in the EMBRACE LIFE run/walk.  We are expecting over 30 people!  AWESOME!

If you have not yet registered at the St. Mary’s website be sure to do so to get a free race T-shirt guarantee.  After 8/30, you can register up to and including the day of the event for $30.  As noted on the website, you can pick up your race packet on Friday, September 6th, but FYI you can also pick up your packet the day of the race beginning at 7:30am.  See the St. Mary’s website for more details (http://www.stmarymercy.org/5kforcancer).

We have ordered “Peggy’s Posse / KMA” buttons for all participants to proudly wear. The buttons will be given out the morning of the race by the race coordinators.  Also, if you are so inclined, we suggest you wear a green t-shirt (Peggy’s favorite color).

On the day of the race, we will gather near the registration desk/tent and walk (or start the run) as a group.  The coordinators will be at the gathering location about 45 minutes before the race start time of 9:00am.  Look for the green balloons and get your button.

More participants are welcome!  Please see previous blog posts.

The coordinators are looking forward to this event and we know Peggy will be attending with us in spirit. Check back for any future updates.

- Melissa and the 5K Coordinators (Ruth, Debbie, Donna)

Update on 9/8 Peggy's Posse event

All interested members of Peggy’s Posse are invited to participate in the St. Mary Mercy Hospital ‘EMBRACE LIFE’ 5K Walk/Run event on Sunday, September 8, 2013 at 9:00 a.m. to support cancer research and in honor of Peggy.  (Details below in previous post)

We are making some 'KMA flare' for Peggy's Posse to wear on their shirts the day of the event. In order to have enough for everyone, we need to know who is coming! So, please let us know by August 24th in one of three ways:

1. Enter a comment on the blog
• To leave a comment
  Click on comments
  Type text in the allotted space
  Select “Anonymous” in the Comment As section
  Click Publish (and Type the safety words in the box).
2. If you received an email from Debbie, reply to the email.
3. Contact any of our event coordinators:  Ruth Bachor, Debbie Crawford, or Donna Meyers.

Ready to commit?

• Yes: Register for the event at the St. Mary’s website (http://www.stmarymercy.org/5kforcancer)
• Not yet: Let us know you are thinking about it (at which point we will begin a campaign to convert you to a 'Yes'). You have until 8/30 to register at the $25 entry fee.
• No: We understand that some are not available. We appreciate your interest and will let you know when the next Peggy’s Posse event is scheduled.

Look for another update soon!

- Melissa and the 5K Coordinators (Ruth, Debbie, Donna)

Invitation to a Peggy's Posse Event (9/8/13)

St. Mary Mercy Hospital is hosting an ‘EMBRACE LIFE’ 5K Walk/Run event on Sunday, September 8, 2013 at 9:00 a.m. to support cancer research. Given that this is just two days before Peggy’s birthday, September 10^th, it felt like a perfect opportunity to get Peggy’s Posse back together and show our support by Embracing Life through our participation.

Never participated in a 5K walk or run?  Don’t let that stop you!  Remember what Peggy would say in the presence of doubt or uncertainty – “why not?” So, why not give it a try? Why not recruit friends, neighbors, spouses, children, co-workers to participate and show that K.M.A. lives on?

Interested?  Let us know by August 15^th by leaving a comment here with the following information:

• Your name
• Your preferred participation: Walk or Run
•  To leave a comment: Click on comment, Write text in the allotted space, Select “Anonymous” in the Comment as section, Click Publish.

From here, one of the Peggy’s Posse 5K Team coordinators will contact you via email with additional details as plans are solidified.  We are in the process of finalizing things like a meet-up location on the day of the event and how Peggy’s Posse will identify ourselves (e.g., bracelet, button).

For race specifics, please see the St Mary Mercy Hospital website:  http://www.stmarymercy.org/5kforcancer and check back here for updates.

Again, please let us know by August 15^th if you will be participating so we can plan/communicate accordingly.