The Crew Behind Memorial Mile

Alicia and Tim are members of the 3-Day crew who make Memorial Mile come to life along the route.

Memorial Mile is the most reflective part of the Susan G. Komen 3-Day®. It’s where the cheers stop, the conversations fade and participants walk through a stretch of the route lined with signs honoring those who have died from breast cancer.

While participants experience Memorial Mile for only a few quiet moments, a dedicated crew spends hours carefully preparing every tribute sign — each one representing a loved one remembered by the Pink Bubble.

“Memorial Mile is a very important part of the walk,” said Alicia M., who joined the 3-Day in 2010. “It’s a reminder in the middle of the walk of why we’re all here.”

A portion of Memorial Mile at the 2025 Boston 3-Day.

When participants reach Memorial Mile on Day 2, they have already walked nearly 30 miles. Some stop to find the sign of a family member or friend they are walking in memory of, while others take time to read the names and faces of people they never met. It’s a bittersweet stretch of the 3-Day that serves as a powerful reminder of the reason thousands of participants commit to walking up to 60 miles.

Tim P., who has been a part of the 3-Day for 16 years, said Memorial Mile’s placement is intentional.

“It’s that halfway point where participants are ready for a pick-me-up,” Tim said. “After 25 or 30 miles, your body is questioning if you can keep going. Then you reach Memorial Mile and you’re reminded of why you’re walking. That’s where the saying, ‘Blisters are better than chemo,’ really hits home.”

Long before participants reach Memorial Mile, crew members like Alicia and Tim have already spent hours making sure every tribute is displayed with dignity.

A stretch of Memorial Mile along the Susan G. Komen 3-Day.

“We never let the signs sit on the ground,” Tim said. “They’re always held or placed on carpet in a vehicle until we’re ready to put it up. We’re very disciplined in how they’re displayed, how they’re hung and even making sure the zip ties are trimmed neatly. Since we don’t get to walk Memorial Mile, it’s our way of honoring the people they represent.”

Before joining the crew, Alicia and Tim walked the 3-Day together more than 15 times, giving them firsthand insight into what participants experience when they see Memorial Mile.

Alicia and Tim have participated in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for more than 15 years.

For Alicia, the meaning of Memorial Mile has grown over the years.

“I’ve lost people that I’ve walked and crewed with over the years,” she said. “So, it seems like every time I turn around, I have another reason why.”

That personal connection made watching a powerful rainstorm pummel last November’s San Diego 3-Day especially difficult. Crew members rushed to protect the tribute signs they carefully assembled as heavy winds and rain swept across the route.

Rain at the 2025 San Diego 3-Day.

“The weather was awful. We were dealing with heavy, heavy rain, heavy wind,” Alicia said.

“But even in the chaos of the rain and the flooding, people still stopped,” Tim said, fighting back tears. “They didn’t run through it. They still stopped to pay their respects. That’s why it’s so important to have it no matter what.”

The signs of Memorial Mile along the beach in San Diego at the Susan G. Komen 3-Day.

Moments like that are why Tim and Alicia continue coming back to the 3-Day year after year.

“It’s just a safe place in this big, crazy, chaotic world where you get to just be in the Pink Bubble and unite for all the goodness,” Tim said. “That’s why we keep coming back.”

Members of the 3-Day crew setting up Memorial Mile at the Susan G. Komen 3-Day.

For more information about the 3-Day visit the3day.org.

Summer Fundraising Ideas for the Komen 3-Day

If the summer heat has your fundraising ideas running a little dry, don’t worry — we’ve got you covered. There are plenty of easy ways to turn everyday moments into meaningful fundraising opportunities.

Sometimes the simplest ideas can lead to a lot of support. Here’s a list of our favorites:

Spare Change: Loose coins add up fast (some people have been collecting their change for years)! Don’t be shy about asking friends, family and neighbors to donate the spare change they have sitting in their car cup holders, junk drawers, piggy banks or coin jars. You’ll be surprised how quickly it all adds up!

Purpose-Driven Yard Sale: Ask friends, family and neighbors to donate gently used items, then host a “Fundraising Yard Sale.” Use pink-inspired signs that showcase your 3-Day connection and story. Pro tip: Post your yard sale in local Facebook neighborhood groups and upload photos of your items with prices. Be sure to mention that all proceeds go toward your 3-Day goal. (Suggested price: at least $5 per item)

Pink Treat Stand: Set up a pink-themed popsicle, pink lemonade or iced coffee stand and get creative with signs that highlight the Komen 3-Day and breast cancer awareness. Add homemade treats, baked goods or dog treats to increase donations. Pro tip: Invite your kids or grandkids to help run the stand. People love supporting cute kids! (Suggested price: $2 popsicle/lemonade, $4 iced coffee)

Download the 3-Day App: Send out a fundraising email from the 3-Day app to everyone in your family and friends and ask for a minimum donation of $50.

Plan a Summer Car Wash: Gather a group of friends, make some signs and spend a few hours washing cars. You can set up in the parking lot of a school or church (with permission of course!), or even on your block if you have the space. Make sure your signs indicate you’re raising money for breast cancer. (Suggested price: $15 per car)

Go Door-to-Door with a Purpose: Turn a training walk into a double positive! Knocking on doors may seem old-fashioned, but it’s still an effective way to engage with your community and garner donations. Arm yourself with informational flyers, donation envelopes and plenty of enthusiasm to share your story and spread the word about the 3-Day. (Suggested donation amount: $25)

Organize a Sunset Walk: Give your loved ones a peek into the Pink Bubble with an organized neighborhood walk to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research. Choose a scenic route, set a fundraising goal, and invite friends, family and neighbors to join in solidarity. Consider incorporating pink attire or accessories to make a bold and fun statement of support. Maybe you can even have a contest for best dressed! (Suggested donation amount: $15)

Host a Summer Potluck: Invite your family and friends over for a summer afternoon potluck. Ask them to bring a small dish to share and a $20 donation to your 3-Day fundraiser. Be sure to talk about the event and share why you’re participating. Maybe someone will want to join your team!

Pink Bingo Night: Host a pink bingo night where guests can buy bingo cards and play for a chance to win fun prizes while supporting your 3-Day fundraising. Add snacks, raffles and pink-themed decorations!

Facebook Fundraiser: If you haven’t already, visit your Participant Center and connect your fundraiser to Facebook! It’s a quick way to share why you are joining the 3-Day with your entire social network. And remember, sometimes the people you least expect are the most generous.

You’d be surprised how quickly a little summer fundraising can add up and make a big difference. Every dollar you raise helps move us closer to a world without breast cancer.

For the Love of Music and the 3-Day

Alyssa S. on stage at her percussion recital to benefit the 3-Day.

For nearly 20 years, Alyssa S. has been a part of the Susan G. Komen 3-Day®. community.

Her commitment began when her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004.

“I would research her medications and side effects while she was going through her treatment, and I kept getting pop-up ads for the 3-Day,” Alyssa said. “I finally registered in 2007. At the time, I didn’t realize the 3-Day was something participants keep doing year after year.”

But that’s exactly what happened.

Alyssa’s first 3-Day event was in Chicago in 2007. Since then, she has completed more than 30 events in Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Boston and San Diego.

Today, her mother is living with metastatic breast cancer, a diagnosis she received in 2021.

Alyssa S. and her mom who is living with metastatic breast cancer.

“There are always more reasons to keep going. You hear about more people that have been diagnosed. Everywhere you look, there’s another reason,” Alyssa said. “And there are also personal stories from people whose lives were impacted by the programs supported by the money we’ve raised, and that reminds me why I keep coming back.”

Making Music to Raise Funds

To support her 3-Day fundraising efforts, Alyssa turned to her passion for music.

A percussionist since fifth grade, Alyssa has spent much of her life studying, performing and teaching music. She earned bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in music. When she started the 3-Day, she was a teacher at a community arts school in Flint, Michigan, and she thought of an idea.

“I was trying to figure out the fundraising, and I thought about doing a recital,” Alyssa said. “I quickly put one together right before that first walk, and it became an annual thing.”

Alyssa S. and her parents at her percussion recital to benefit the 3-Day.

Nearly two decades later, she’s still hosting the annual recital every year.

Alyssa invites the community to enjoy a complimentary evening of music while supporting the 3-Day. During the reception, she collects donations for the 3-Day from anyone who is interested in supporting the event. She performs on the marimba and is joined on stage by fellow musicians.

“Year after year, I have found pretty amazing people who have wanted to continue to support the cause and support me,” Alyssa said. “People usually will ask me, ‘When are you starting your 3-Day fundraising?’ because they want to be involved in that way. It’s incredible.”

Alyssa S. on stage at her percussion recital playing the marimba.

In 2017, Alyssa received the Twin Cities 3-Day Milestone Award. She is also a member of the Lifetime Commitment Circle and has raised more than $122,000 for Komen.

For those just beginning their 3-Day fundraising journey, Alyssa has one piece of advice.

“You just have to ask,” she said. “You never know who will come forward to support you, because breast cancer has impacted the lives of so many people.”

Alyssa S. at the 3-Day

To learn more about the 3-Day visit the3day.org.