Jessica’s Story: Volunteering With a Crown at the 3-Day

Jessica Ashmore wearing her Mrs. Oklahoma crown and sash at the ShareForCures tent at the San Diego 3-Day.

Jessica A. took a unique approach to volunteering at the Susan G. Komen San Diego 3-Day® — wearing her crown as the reigning United States of America’s Mrs. Oklahoma 2026 to draw attention to breast cancer research.

At the 3-Day in November, Jessica volunteered in the tent dedicated to ShareForCures® — a breast cancer research registry by Susan G. Komen, connecting researchers with information from people who have or had breast cancer to close gaps in breast cancer research data to make new discoveries faster.

Jessica A. at a Susan G. Komen event in San Diego.

“I initially found out about the Komen 3-Day about 10 years ago when we first came to San Diego,” explained Jessica, whose husband serves in the U.S. Marine Corps. “Back then, I volunteered and cheered along the route. It was a fantastic experience, so I wanted to be part of it again when we moved back here last year.”

As part of her role, titleholders must participate in community service during their reign, and she saw the 3-Day as an opportunity to do just that.

“My platform typically centers around all things military — supporting veterans, active-duty service members and their families, and finding ways to better serve them,” Jessica explained. “But breast cancer is something that affect so many women and families, and it felt important to use my voice to support that as well.”

Like many, she has seen the impact of breast cancer firsthand.

“My grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had a mastectomy and reconstruction, and she had a lot of issues with that pre- and post-surgery,” Jessica said. “And my husband’s grandmother had breast cancer I believe three different times.”

In preparation for volunteering at the 3-Day, Jessica took the time to learn about ShareForCures so she could speak confidently and direct potential participants on how to join the registry.

ShareForCures volunteer Jessica A. is also Mrs. Oklahoma 2026. “The crown and sash — it’s a talking point. It gets people to come over and ask, ‘What are you here for?’” Jessica said with a smile. “Whenever I got those questions, I would tell them I was there volunteering for ShareForCures. I am hopeful my volunteer efforts resulted in people signing up for this important program.”

Outside of her volunteer work, Jessica is a research program coordinator supporting the Extremity Trauma and Amputation Center of Excellence for the Department of Defense. She lives in San Diego with her husband three children.

For more information on joining ShareForCures visit komen.org/shareforcures.

Statements and opinions expressed are that of the individual and do not express the views or opinions of Susan G. Komen. This information is being provided for educational purposes only and is not to be construed as medical advice. Persons with breast cancer should consult their health care provider with specific questions or concerns about their treatment.

Raising Awareness for Male Breast Cancer at the 3-Day

Jake Messier is living with metastatic breast cancer and is seen at chemotherapy.

Jake M.,54, is preparing to walk his first Susan G. Komen Boston 3-Day® with one goal in mind: to raise awareness that men can get breast cancer, too.

In 2023, Jake discovered a lump in his armpit while putting on deodorant.

“In the moment, I thought it was weird, but I went on with my day,” Jake said. “Guys aren’t taught that when we find a lump, we should tell somebody.”

He didn’t mention it until a routine physical months later.

“My primary care physician listed off about 10 things that it could be and none of them were breast cancer,” Jake recalled. “But I’m thankful he wanted to be ultra sure and sent me for an ultrasound and mammogram, and then that snowballed to a biopsy.”

Jake was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer—but he believes it was likely more advanced.

Jake Messier and his wife are preparing to walk in the Susan G. Komen Boston 3-Day.

“I know I was likely misdiagnosed stage 2 and was actually stage 3,” Jake explained. “Then about a year later when it traveled to my hip, that’s when it metastasized.”

Since then, he has undergone chemotherapy, a mastectomy, two additional surgeries and 10 weeks of radiation therapy. He also recently spent six weeks in a wheelchair after a hip biopsy.

From Diagnosis to Advocacy

Over the last two and a half years, Jake has turned his metastatic breast cancer (MBC) diagnosis into a personal mission.

“Breast cancer is still seen as the pink disease—a woman’s disease,” Jake said. “I’m hoping to try and change that through the advocacy I do and by walking in the Komen 3-Day.”

Through his TikTok account @theguywithstage4breastcancer, Jake shares his story to raise awareness and remind men to listen to their bodies and speak up when something doesn’t seem right.

“If I can make an impact with whatever time I left have,” he said. “I want it to be this: men can get breast cancer.”

Jake Messier takin a selfie at his chemotherapy appointment.

Putting the MEN in KOMEN

That mission is what’s driving Jake to walk in the Boston 3-Day this summer. With his team, Putting the MEN in KOMEN, he hopes to raise $10,000 and bring greater visibility to male breast cancer.

“The Boston 3-Day is a big event,” he said. “If people see me, a man, holding a sign that says men can get breast cancer too, and they remember that—that matters and that is huge.”

To register for the 3-Day, visit the3day.org.

Statements and opinions expressed are those of the individual and do not express the views or opinions of Susan G. Komen. This information is being provided for educational purposes only and is not to be construed as medical advice. Persons with breast cancer should consult their health care provider with specific questions or concerns about their treatment.

Sculpting Strength: A Teen’s Tribute to Breast Cancer and the 3-Day

Sidh J. is a member of the Susan G. Komen 3-Day Youth Corps.

At just 17, Sidh J. found a unique way to honor the breast cancer community that has been a meaningful part of his life through his experience growing up around the Susan G. Komen 3-Day®: a ceramic sculpture that features a woman’s body, a heart, flowers and a pink ribbon.

“The flowers represent a sort of regrowth and renewal that survivors may feel after everything they have been through,” Sidh explained. “And the ribbon represents the fight people have had against breast cancer. The arms holding the heart is to show that love continues even when someone is no longer here.”

Family Ties to Breast Cancer

The inspiration behind Sidh’s artwork is deeply personal.

From a young age, breast cancer was something he knew about. His grandmother was diagnosed at 39 and died from the disease before Sidh was born. She was just 42.

“My family has always talked about my grandmother,” Sidh said. “She was really strong while she was facing breast cancer, so I knew a lot about it.”

In 2012, Sidh’s mom began participating in the 3-Day, walking 60 miles in memory of her mother. Since then, the 3-Day has played an important role in Sidh’s life. He attended 3-Day events in Philadelphia and New England when his mom walked, and his older sister participated in the Youth Corps. Inspired by those experiences, Sidh joined the 2023 New England 3-Day Youth Corps and continued volunteering in 2024. The Youth Corps is a special group of young volunteers, ages 10 to 16, who support walkers during the 3-Day by offering a helping hand, cheering them on and lifting their spirits every step of the way.

Sidh J. speaking about his family ties to breast cancer at the Susan G. Komen New England 3-Day.

“It felt great to finally be able to make my contribution to the fight against breast cancer,” Sidh said. “I have really appreciated meeting so many people and hearing their stories over the last two years on the Youth Corps.”

Art Inspired by Breast Cancer

Sidh, who is interested in engineering and material science, took his first pottery class in sixth grade. Over time, it became his creative outlet.

“Fundamentally, pottery is kind of material science. The clay that I use, the paints I use to cover it—they all change and determine the final form of the piece,” Sidh explained. “It has been a great way for me to express my feelings.”

Last October during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Sidh decided to combine two important parts of his life: his passion for pottery and his connection to the 3-Day. The result was his sculpture titled “In Memory Of …” inspired by his grandmother and the many stories of strength he has encountered through the 3-Day.

Sidh J.'s sculpture designed for breast cancer awareness.

“When I was making this piece, I was constantly thinking about the Remembrance Tent and the people who had breast cancer and are no longer with us,” Sidh said. “My piece is to show they are always in our hearts and also to honor those who survived and continue to inspire others.”

Sidh’s sculpture was selected to be exhibited later this month at the 2026 National K-12 Juried Ceramic Exhibition in Michigan, where it will be entered into competition and eligible for awards and scholarships.

Sidh is currently a high school junior in Northern Virginia. He hopes to stay connected to the 3-Day and plans to return in the future as a walker.