Caroleen's Bosom Buddies

The Race for the Cure 2009

Caroleen's Bosom Buddies of the Ta Ta Sisterhood

Adrienne, Ashley, Vicki, Sabra, Patty, Amanda, Jen, Susie, Nate, Brandy, Tim, Jill, Sydney,Zander,Janel, Genai,Brody,Juli, Bryten, Jayden. Front: Rex, Wyatt, Hudson, Kenzy, and Magnolia

Caroleen Ellis

January 21, 1951- December 8, 2008


After years of saying we were going to walk for our mom we finally did it!

Several friends and family members joined us as we walked to honor our mom, grandma and friend. It was a wonderful and strengthening thing to be surrounded by so many people that have been touched by the same disease as we have.

These people know the anxiety of sitting in a doctors office waiting for test results, the heartbreak of watching your loved one fight literally for their life by having poison injected into their veins week after week, and the absolute sorrow of learning that every avenue has been explored, and there is no more hope for a cure. So many of the people there have felt the heart break of burying their loved one too early because of this disease, and some are fighting each day to just stay alive.

As we slowly walked through the streets of Portland, I looked around and realized that everyone of these people are fighting our personal fight. The streets were packed with people helping to prevent the sorrow we have felt! It occurred to me that we are not alone. My mom did not die for nothing! How lucky are we to have such a wonderful event to help raise awareness of this disease!?!

My kids walked for the grandma that will not be here to see them grow up, my sister walked for the mom who will not be at her wedding, or the birth of her beautiful children, and I walked for my hero. My mom taught me by example what it means to be a good mom. She taught all of us what real courage looks like. She layed out the path to eternal life by her example of unwavering righteousness and faith.

She always let Rex shave her hair when it started falling out from chemo. because she said "what son-in-law wouldn't like to shave their mother-in-laws head bald?"

Each step we took brought us all a little closer to her on Sunday. We wore pink shirts, and proudly told people that ask our story, but more importantly we honored the women that had the ability to bring us all together. Each from different backgrounds, but with one common bond....my mom.

I am proud to be her daughter.

I am proud that my children and my sisters children will be told stories and shown pictures of her beautiful grandma.

I am proud to have a sister to fight beside, and honor our mom with.

I am proud of my daughter who at 4 years old is able to put her emotions into words. The Oregonian asked people why they were walking and she said without hesitation

"because I miss my grandma"

They recognized the power of her words and published them in the Monday edition of the paper.

Maggie and grandma on her last Mother's Day 2008



I am proud that I had the funniest mom in the world.

Amanda bought her this Dog the Bounty Hunter shirt for her birthday. She loved that show!

I am proud that she had breast cancer

We took a balloon from the finish line, wrote a note to mom on it, and let it go. Hopefully it made it's way to Heaven for her to read.

and

I am proud that I am doing my part and teaching my kids that we need to help find a cure for this disease.

I am thankful for all those who walked along side us, for those who contributed to the cause, and especially all those who offered prayers of support, and loving words during her long and brave fight.

We love you all, and are thankful you are in our lives.

We will be walking again next year, so keep the date open

September 19th, 2010.

The more people we have as cancer warriors the better!