A Decade Later: How One Mother Honors Her Daughter by Walking the 3-Day

Joyce Laws (center) and her family at the Susan G. Komen 3-Day in San Diego.

This year marks a decade since Joyce L.’s  daughter died from breast cancer. To honor her memory, Joyce will return to the  Susan G. Komen 3-Day®, a place that holds bittersweet memories.  

“She said to me, ‘Mom, when I get through all this, let’s do this,’” Joyce recalled. “We always planned to do a 3-Day together.”

Jennifer was just 31 when she found a lump in her breast in 2009. Around the same time, she learned she was pregnant. Her doctor advised waiting a month to monitor the lump, but a second trimester biopsy confirmed Jennifer had stage 2b lobular breast cancer. She was carrying twins, but heartbreakingly, only one would survive.

Jennifer was pregnant with twins when she was diagnosed with lobular breast cancer.

Despite the devastating news, Jennifer’s resilience kept her moving forward. Doctors removed 23 lymph nodes, 22 of which were cancerous. She had a mastectomy to remove her left breast, and later had another mastectomy to remove the other breast. She also had her ovaries removed due to her estrogen-positive diagnosis. 

Through it all, Jennifer remained hopeful. She gave birth to her daughter, Maya, who was healthy and born with a full head of hair despite Jennifer undergoing chemotherapy while pregnant.  

“My daughter had no hair from chemo when Maya was born, but that little girl had a head full of black hair. It just proves that the placenta takes care of the baby,” Joyce said. 

After Maya’s birth, Jennifer continued chemotherapy and was ecstatic when scans showed no evidence of cancer. Jennifer returned to work as a physical therapist, traveled to India with her husband and daughter, and continued to advocate for herself and raise awareness about breast cancer. Jennifer formed a team, Warriors for Jen, and raised money for the Komen San Diego Race for The Cure® (now the San Diego MORE THAN PINK Walk®). She organized a pizza night fundraiser and comedy event that raised over $6,000. 

“No matter how devastating what she was going through was, she was always looking on the bright side,” Joyce said. “She wanted to be out there and helping others.”

But in 2012, the cancer returned and metastasized (spread) to her spine. Jennifer refused to give up. She joined a clinical trial, kept her positive attitude, and enjoyed watching her little girl swim and ride her bike.  

Jennifer and her daughter, Maya, swimming.

When Jennifer’s breast cancer progressed and she couldn’t walk the 3-Day, she still wanted to show up to offer her support. One of her friends walked the 3-Day and Jennifer made sure she was at the finish line to congratulate her. That inspired Joyce to take the first steps they’d planned to walk together. 

 “Things appeared to be a little shaky, so I decided to do it myself. I signed up as a single walker but ended up joining the Powered by Optimism team. They embodied everything Jennifer stood for,” Joyce said. “I am still on that team to this day.” 

Joyce has walked in 13 events across San Diego, Boston, Chicago and Denver. She carried the “Daughter” flag in her first 3-Day walk in 2014 with Jennifer watching nearby. A few weeks after Jennifer passed away in October 2015, Joyce completed the 3-Day in San Diego.  

“That was the hardest walk. But the Pink Bubble community has been part of my healing process,” Joyce said. “They’ve really been there for me.” 

Now 71, Joyce continues to walk in the San Diego 3-Day and hopes to inspire the next generation to join her. Walking alongside Joyce are her son and niece, other family members, friends and her granddaughter, Maya, who is almost 16.  

Maya, who has served on the Youth Corps three times, will walk her first 3-Day this year. 

“I know Jennifer would be standing on the sidelines cheering for us all, especially Maya. She would be so happy to see her daughter at the 3-Day,” Joyce said.  

Joyce and her granddaughter, Maya, at the Susan G. Komen 3-Day in San Diego.

In honor of Jennifer’s 10-year anniversary, Joyce is setting her fundraising goal at $10,000 – the same amount Jennifer challenged her to raise in 2015.  

“I told her that was a lot, but she said, ‘You can do it mom.’” Joyce recalled. “And that year I did. I managed to raise over $10,000. So, this year, I’m doing it again, for her.” 

 

 

It’s Time to Train for the 3-Day

Burt Lipshie has been a longtime training walk leader for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day.

With this year’s Susan G. Komen 3-Day® season fast approaching, it’s important to start training now. No matter if you plan to walk 20, 40 or 60 miles, preparing your body and mind is key to a successful experience.   

Why Training Matters 

Think of training as the foundation of your 3-Day journey. It strengthens you physically and mentally and ensures you’re ready for the up to 60-mile challenge to end breast cancer. The 3-Day events take participants through Denver, Boston, Dallas/Fort Worth and San Diego; each with unique routes, terrain and weather. While each route is carefully designed to accommodate all fitness levels, training beforehand is critical. 

Start Here 

One of the best ways to train is by joining one of the 3-Day training walks. Led by volunteers who are experienced participants, the training walks are a great way to build your endurance, boost your motivation and meet fellow 3-Day walkers. Burt L., a longtime training walk leader from New York, urges everyone who is registered for the 3-Day to train as much as possible. 

“People have said to me, ‘I don’t need to train for the 3-Day. I do marathons, I’m in great shape,’” Burt recalled. “My response to them is that the 3-Day is different. You get up and do it again, and then you get up the next day and do it again. Training is critical because you need the miles on your legs, and you need the miles on your feet.” 

Burt and his training walk group strive to meet monthly, walk 10 to 20 miles together and always end their walks with pizza. “The people in this group each walk at different 3-Day events, but we train and prepare together, and it’s a great way to look forward to the 3-Day,” he said. 

Training Tips  

Training looks different for everyone, so find what works best for you. Here are a few important training tips:  

  • A great place to start your training is by checking out the 3-Day training schedules.  
  • Schedule back-to-back training walks (it’s Day 2 and 3 that are hardest on-event). 
  • Your feet will swell, so invest in a good pair of shoes that are a full size bigger than your usual size. 
  • Increase your walking mileage by setting new weekly goals. 
  • Find a training buddy. It’s easy to type in your zip code on our Training Walk Calendar and find other participants in your area.  
  • Don’t forget to train in the shoes you plan to wear at the 3-Day! 

Visit the 3-Day to connect with the 3-Day community and learn more about training.

Please note: The health, safety and training information provided to you in connection with your participation in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® is not intended to replace or be construed as medical advice and any such information is not a substitute for seeking medical advice or treatment from your medical provider. Before starting any exercise program or following any recommendations, advice or other instructions regarding training for the Komen 3-Day or any athletic event, you should first consult a physician and have physical examination. 

From Walker to Medical Crew: Kirstin B.’s Inspiring 3-Day Journey

Kirstin B. began her journey with the medical crew in 2016 as an emergency medical technician at the Philadelphia 3-Day.

Kirstin B. first participated in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® when she was just 15, walking in memory of her godmother who passed away from breast cancer when Kirstin was a child. Today, as a registered nurse, Kirstin plays a vital role on the 3-Day medical crew.  

She began her journey with the medical crew in 2016 as an emergency medical technician at the Philadelphia 3-Day. After becoming a registered nurse, she volunteered at all 3-Day events starting in 2022, except for San Diego, where she still walks as a participant. 

“When I started the 3-Day, I did it for my godmother, now I do it for everyone who is here walking,” Kirstin said. “I am so grateful to use my skills to help encourage and assist participants in achieving their walking goals.” 

Kirstin and her parents at the Komen 3-Day.

The medical crew is an essential part of the 3-Day, offering support to walkers in need of medical assistance. These dedicated volunteers, who are licensed health care providers, staff the medical tents at each 3-Day location. They are available daily from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., ready to treat everything from blisters and knee pain to dehydration and bee stings. The crew also provides medical support at the pit stops, along the route and at camp. 

“We’ve seen some serious medical problems like stroke and choking,” Kirstin explained. “In those situations, we immediately call 911 and make sure the person gets to the hospital.” 

While the days are long for 3-Day medical crew members, the reward is more than worth it for Kirstin. 

“It’s so fulfilling to listen to someone’s story of why they walk while I patch up their blisters or help them with their medical issue,” she said. “It’s even more rewarding to see them out the next day, continuing their journey, and to encourage them throughout the event.” 

One memorable moment for Kirstin took place at the 2022 Boston 3-Day, when she met a couple whose daughter, Ashley, died at the age of 36 from breast cancer.  

“I was helping them with their blisters, and they told me about Ashley. She was a mother of four, and her youngest was only 18 months old when she passed away,” Kirstin recalled. “I felt privileged to help them fulfill their commitment to walk 60 miles in memory of their daughter.” 

Kirstin had the honor of walking across the 3-Day finish line with Ashley’s parents. “Moments like that keep me coming back to the medical crew every year,” she added. 

In 2023, Kirstin served as a medical crew captain in Chicago, and this year, she will do the same in Boston. 

In 2025, Kirstin Brown will be the captain for the New England 3-Day.  

Are you interested in joining Kirstin on the medical crew? If so, send us an email at: 

2025crew@the3day.org or visit the 3-Day for more information. 

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.