Earlier in the week I had the opportunity to interview Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure® Cleveland Crew Member, Melissa Rotblatt.
Today we get the chance to meet Melissa’s parents, Marvin & Sharon Rotblatt. Their family has been involved in the Cleveland 3-Day for the Cure® for the past couple of years and they have some wonderful advice and tips to share with us.
Hello Marvin & Sharon, please tell us a little bit about yourselves.
We are Marvin and Sharon Rotblatt of Solon. Marv is a general dentist in Twinsburg, and Sharon is a part-time employee at his office and a full-time Mom of three (Melissa is 19, Andrew is 17, Marcie is 12). This is Sharon’s third time walking in the Cleveland 3-Day, and Marv’s first time. Our team is called Chai Hopes- chai (pronounced high) is the Hebrew word for life. We have hope that all women will soon be able to live a long and healthy life.
Why did you start walking in the 3-Day for the Cure?
Sharon and Melissa started walking in 2008. We walk for Sharon’s mom, who is a 32+ year survivor, and for Marv’s mom, who was a 35+ year survivor before she died of a recurrence of breast cancer in 2004. We walk so our daughters will never know what it is like to have a sick mom, and so they will grow to be healthy women themselves. We also walk for our friends who continue to fight the battle of breast cancer, and those who fought and lost.
As they days are winding down to the Cleveland 3-Day for the Cure walkers are starting to pack their bags. Any packing tips that have served you well in the past?
Pack everything in ziploc bags- even if it doesn’t rain, the evening dew makes everything wet. Bring a camera with plenty of memory or several disposable cameras- there is so much you will want to remember, and photos sometimes tell the story when words fail you. Don’t forget your pillow!
What was your most successful fundraising strategy?
We asked everyone we knew for a donation of at least $50. Some gave more, some gave less. The people who you least expect to support you will give you big money, and those you hope will give big may surprise you with less. Just remember that something important to you may not be important to others.
What is your favorite 3-Day for the Cure memory?
It’s hard to pick just one- everyone says the Woo-Hoo guy, Jerry, the Hug Lady, Opening and Closing ceremonies. My favorite memory is from the last mile of the last day, 2009. An elderly man stood in front of a very small house in a poor neighborhood. He had a tray table, a plastic pitcher, and paper cups and all he wanted to do was offer us a drink of water. It was very touching, that what we were doing had moved him to want to help in the only way he could. When you have an experience like that, you truly know that you are doing something important, something that might someday save others from pain and heartache.
Any additional tips, tricks, or info you would like to pass along about the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure?
Don’t worry about walking every step or finishing quickly. It is not about the end results, it is about the journey. Talk to people, make friends, laugh and cry. It is SO worth it!
Thank you for your time Marvin & Sharon. Those were wonderful tips. I’m looking forward to the chance to walk with you next weekend!
Thank you to Energizer® for selecting me as Cleveland’s Keep Going® Blogger.
Another great interview Tesa (missed this one earlier). Thank you Marvin and Sharon for walking and taking the time to talk with Tesa!