I wear my Weekend to End Breast Cancer shirt all the time and pretty much everywhere I go. Below is a picture of me from the top of Whistler Mountain taken by a friend of mine during an Outward Bound reunion trip. “Becoming is Superior to Being” was the motto and philosophy of my Mom, Pat Alofs. Pat Alofs was a school teacher who inspired so many students. She passed away from breast cancer November 2, 2002. She was my inspiration for taking on my role at Princess Margaret. I walk in the yearly Weekend to End Breast Cancer (and wear my various WEBC t shirts) in memory of my Mom and in celebration of the way she inspired me. Her passing from breast cancer was one of the toughest times of my life. Walking in the WEBC is a labour of love and remembrance to me. This year is no different. This year, my sister Kim and her husband Bill will also be walking in the WEBC. This motto or philosophy passed along by my Mom touched all of us in the family, as well as the hundreds of kids she taught. She had a sign which read “Becoming is Superior to Being” in her classroom every year. That motto is now on her tombstone and lives on in our hearts. Everyone who walks “becomes” something or someone different after experiencing the WEBC. You certainly become more tired! But you become part of a group which has done a courageous thing. You become an advocate for breast cancer research, treatment and survivorship. You become closer to your friends who walk with you and become friends with total strangers. You become more aware of the beauty of the city of Toronto and the friendliness of its many neighbourhoods. You become aware of the kindness of so many strangers who help out and cheer you on. You wake up to the incredible power of a few thousand like minded people to have a positive impact. You become more than a participant in a fundraising event. You become someone who steps up and steps forward instead of stepping back and stepping away. “Becoming is Superior to Being”. Thanks to all those who inspire us and thanks to all who will step out and step up and walk September 6th and 7th. The Weekend to End Breast cancer is one of the greatest weekends of the year. Here’s to “Becoming”! Here’s to walking! Here’s to making a difference! Thanks Mom! Thanks to all the women and men who have battled this disease and who inspire our every step.