On Deck for the Cure

[odd man out]

I recently saw reference to this fund raising effort on HAL cruises. Is this still going on? Will it be done on my Ryndam Alaska Cruise starting this week?

Wife is a breast cancer survivor (9 years) so it will be a big deal for us.

[May4]

Oh yes, there will be a day for On Deck for the Cure. It's every ship and every trip.

Do you ever check out the Holland America Blog? There are some wonderful pictures of participants on the Maasdam. Very festive, very meaningful.

Best wishes to your wife:)

[odd man out]

Yes, I saw the Blog pictures. Any way of knowing what day this will be on?

[May4]

It's been my experience that this event happens on one of the last sea days, at mid-morning.

You'll get lots and lots of notice about it:) throughout the cruise. A flyer with details will be delivered to your cabin early in the cruise so that you may sign up. Signing up at the front desk works too.

Your contribution earns you a T-shirt, pink On Deck for the Cure bracelet, and a pink lemonade party.

It's an enjoyable, rewarding group happening!

[tomc]

As a guy who just missed the bullet (yes, it's not just a gal thing), I very much support it. And if you have trouble walking, make a donation, wave to the participants then grab a cookie and pink lemonade in your special t-shirt.

But not just your t-shirt, ok?

[Pokeynose]

I can't walk but I have always given my donation and waved the walkers on. I lost two special friends of over 50 yrs. to cancer and I support this with all my heart. Kudos to HAL for this event.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have been on cruises when it started at 9 AM and on other ships at 1 PM.

Not certain when it will be on the Ryndam as you have quite a few bust days in a row.

[CruiseShelly]

On Ryndam two weeks ago and participated in the Walk. I figure about 100-125 participated which is a good percentage of passengers. Did my 5K around the beautiful deck. I always participate on the HAL Walk for the Cure program. It's $15 well spent.

[odd man out]

Great news. Do they have any special recognition for survivors?

[airlink diva]

I recently saw reference to this fund raising effort on HAL cruises. Is this still going on? Will it be done on my Ryndam Alaska Cruise starting this week?

Wife is a breast cancer survivor (9 years) so it will be a big deal for us.

By all means, go out and participate in this wonderful event!!
One of co-worker is also a breast cancer survivor. I did the walk in her honor on my last HAL sailing.
You can walk at your own pace, no need to rush!
There was upbeat music and cheering staff and other passengers on the promenade. At the end, we all had pink lemonade and talked.
If you want a larger t-shirt, head to the front desk early in the cruise. They were out of the larger sizes closer to the walk date.
It's a great cause and walking help in goal!!

[KWIN]

Just returned from Bermuda (Veendam) and there was a Walk for the Cure that was attended by at least 100 people. It was @ 2PM (a little warm out!!) After there was a Champagne / cake / lemonade party that the Captain attented. The survivors in attendance cut the cake and the Captain mentioned that HAL had just reached the $2 Million dollar mark in contributions. It was very nice (and the Captain stayed after and spoke to myself and a few friends for 15 minutes!) The nicest Captain we have ever met on any of our cruises.

[KWIN]

Forgot to mention the Captain's name - Captain Rik Krombeen

[Jojo's Mama]

Is there a suggested donation amount?

[Lesinindy]

By all means, go out and participate in this wonderful event!!
One of co-worker is also a breast cancer survivor. I did the walk in her honor on my last HAL sailing.
You can walk at your own pace, no need to rush!
There was upbeat music and cheering staff and other passengers on the promenade. At the end, we all had pink lemonade and talked.
If you want a larger t-shirt, head to the front desk early in the cruise. They were out of the larger sizes closer to the walk date.
It's a great cause and walking help in goal!!

We walked in the cure on the Eurodam last Feb. just before my wife had her surgery and just prior to her chemo for breast cancer. The support she got from others walking was nothing less than fantastic. Makes you feel good to see folks ban together, sweat a little, drink some pink lemonade and support a good cause. We signed up late and they were all out of T-shirts so get there early. (Guest Relations desk)

Hot tip: If you are out of shape like me you can keep up with the faster types by ducking into a side door on one side and out the other. Best 5 K time I ever had.

[tomc]

Jojo's Mama --

Yes, there is. Suggested only; all explained for you.

[Kween Karen]

I just returned from the Amsterdam's Alaska Adventure cruise yesterday. I participated in the "On Deck for the Cure" walk. On our trip is was held on the last sea day at 2:00 in the afternoon. The walk was held in conjuction with one on the Niew Amsterdam where Susan B Kolman herself was present to accept HAL's going over the $2,000,000 mark in donations from passengers and HAL.
To see a few pictures check out my blog and click on day 13. They make a nice celebration out of the event and honor survivors too.

[sail7seas]

HAL is very involved with Susan G. Komen Foundation and has raised a great deal of money from these walks. Headquarters has walks as do crew on the ships sometimes. There is no pressure for anyone to walk beyond what they are comfortable doing. There are always folks who stand on the side cheering the walkers and it's a wonderful event. It is held on every HAL ship, every cruise.

[Jojo's Mama]

Does anyone know what the suggested donation is? Is it put on your account or are you able to give cash/check/creditcard? Just want to be prepared.

[Kween Karen]

$15 suggested and it will go right on your bill. You receive a bracelet and T-Shirt for this also.

[Jojo's Mama]

$15 suggested and it will go right on your bill. You receive a bracelet and T-Shirt for this also.

Thank You!

[sail7seas]

Though the 'sign up slip' says $15, that is a minimum and for that you receive the t-shirt, bracelet and are enrolled to walk if you wish. Anyone who wishes is more than welcome to contribute more. Whatever sum you donate will be charged to your onboard account.

[Jojo's Mama]

Though the 'sign up slip' says $15, that is a minimum and for that you receive the t-shirt, bracelet and are enrolled to walk if you wish. Anyone who wishes is more than welcome to contribute more. Whatever sum you donate will be charged to your onboard account.



Thank You too!

[tinker]

I am thrilled to read about this! What a wonderful effort on HAL's part and I will not miss it on our October cruise.

[epixx]

Is there any way to run this, e.g., on the treadmill?

[sail7seas]

No. It is Walk and is done on Promenade Deck as a group.

[Former Goalie]

Is there any way to run this, e.g., on the treadmill?
I participated last March on Eurodam with 50-75 folks. It's a great event.
You could go to the sign up, and then go to the fitness area and dedicate your work out that day to On Deck for the Cure. You just wouldn't have a bunch of people doing the same thing.

[iloverags2]

Are these done on the 7-night cruises (i.e. Rotterdam next week in Alaska)? My mom is a survivor and will be sailing...she would love to do this!

[RuthC]

Are these done on the 7-night cruises (i.e. Rotterdam next week in Alaska)? My mom is a survivor and will be sailing...she would love to do this!
Yes, they're done on every cruise.

Probably the 1-night, and possibly the 3-night cruises are excluded from that. :confused:

[hmh]

Just to clarify: Susan Komen was NOT on the NA last week--it was her sister, Nancy (?) Brickner, who accepted the large check from HAL. Years ago, I was on a flight from DC to PDX via Dallas, and I sat next to a woman, from Texas, who told me she'd been in DC "agitating" to get more recognition/funding for Breast Cancer research and trying to get a foundation started in memory of her sister. Her name was Nancy--and I have a feeling that she might be the same person. If so, her dreams were realized many times over.

We were on the Zandaam in March, and Cancer survivors were asked to be at the head of the line for the race. I was one of them--as any one who was any kind of cancer survivor, was invited to be there. It was great to be part of that group and of the race! Ciao hmh:)

[sail7seas]

Ambassador Nancy Brinker





Susan G. Komen for the Cure
In 1982, Brinker established Susan G. Komen for the Cure, after a promise to her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, that she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer. Since its inception, the nonprofit has raised over $1.5 billion[9] for research, education and health services,[10] making it the largest breast cancer charity in the world.[11] Komen has more than 75,000 volunteers nationwide, 122 affiliates in the United States (47 of 50 states), and 3 affiliates in other countries. The organization has resulted in the development of many new treatment options and a higher quality of life overall for breast cancer patients and long-term survivors.[12][13] Brinker served as founding chairman of the organization, supervising all aspects of initial growth,[14]. On December 2, 2009, Brinker was appointed CEO.[1] She also pioneered cause marketing, allowing millions to participate in the fight against breast cancer through businesses that share Komen's commitment to end the disease.[15] Susan G. Komen for the Cure received Charity Navigator's highest rating, four stars.[16]

from Wikipedia

[Sail & Rail Fan]

DH and I walked on the Noordam and the Zuiderdam in honor of my cousin Shelba who has been fighting breast cancer for 3 years now. We took pictures and when we returned home sent them to her. The second time I ordered a T-shirt in her size and gave it to her....she was excited and told me she would wear it to her chemo treatments. I am so very glad that Holland America has this walk on all of their ships.

[Pumbaamd]

I am thrilled to read about this! What a wonderful effort on HAL's part and I will not miss it on our October cruise.
Hi Terry!
We did a similar charity walk on Mariner of the Seas back in February. Over 300 participated @ $10 each for a tee shirt to help the Make A Wish Foundation. At the time, it was a fleet record, raising over $3000.
Best to Woody!
Rick and Deirdra

[baggal]

Great news. Do they have any special recognition for survivors?

On the walks that I have done, the cruise director asked if there were any survivors in the group and they led off the walk.

[rafinmd]

What a wonderful thing for HAL to be doing. A great public service.

Roy:)

[Lemur]

Hot tip: If you are out of shape like me you can keep up with the faster types by ducking into a side door on one side and out the other. Best 5 K time I ever had.

Thanks for the tip Les! This may be just what I needed to drag DH over to the walker side!:p

cheers,
Lemur

[Berk987]

Over the last 9 months I've had an overian cancer, cervical cancer and breast cancer scare. Had my ultrasound and mammo earlier this week and I'm fine (thank the good lord). I'm going to do this in December when we go on the Niew Am.

Does anyone know if I can take my 6 year old daughter and 4 year old son on the walk? I will donate for 3 people. Thanks.

[zookiebird]

Had not heard of the On Deck For The Cruise Program before today. We're taking our 1st HAL cruise in Sept. and it just went to the top of my "to do" list.

[iriemon]

When we were on the Eurodam last December we did the walk for the cure. My wife has been fighting Cancer for the past 5 years. Although she does not have breast cancer one of the chemos she gets was developed for breast cancer and they found it works for her cancer too. She was not able to walk the long distance so we had rented a wheel chair and put her in it and my DD and myself took turns pushing her. She walked the last 100 feet. They really made it nice, they had all the survivors lead the walk. We met many friends and my wife got lots of encouragement from everyone there. We are planning another cruise this December as long as my wife is off chemo and we will walk again.