Shannon B. Is Ready to Join the Pink Bubble

Breast cancer survivor Shannon B. will be making her Susan G. Komen 3-Day debut in Chicago this year. After being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020, recently undergoing reconstruction surgery and raising over $32,000 to date, Shannon is ready to take on 60 miles and join the Pink Bubble. 

What is your connection to breast cancer?  

I was diagnosed with stage 2, HER2+ breast cancer in October 2020, had 6 rounds of TCHP chemo, a full year of Herceptin, a bi-lateral mastectomy with 7 lymph nodes removed, 28 radiation treatments, and most recently, reconstruction surgery. 

Why did you sign up for the 3-Day?  

Ironically, I have felt so lucky and privileged through this whole process of having support, good insurance, a flexible employer, and a “best possible outcome” of being cancer-free with a low chance of recurrence. I know that SO MANY others have it much harder than I have, and I feel like I NEED to do something to help others fight breast cancer and fund research that has helped save my life. My oncologist told me that just 10-15 years ago HER2+ breast cancer was one of the deadliest because they didn’t yet know how to treat it. It’s because of research, trials, and the incredible individuals before me that my medical team knew the exact path forward to get me to this cancer-free stage. 

What do you hope to gain from this experience?  

More than anything I hope to make a difference, so others don’t have to deal with this disease, the treatments, side effects, surgeries, etc. Or if they do, maybe the money I raise can help make it just a little bit easier by helping with medical bills, transportation, etc. 

How did you raise so much money in such a short period of time?  

I am no fundraising superstar, but am surrounded by incredible people in my personal and professional life. I have worked at the same company for over 10 years and have built amazing relationships with people all over the country. My family and friends have never wavered in their support. I created a fundraiser on Facebook and posted on LinkedIn and Instagram. My birthday and anniversary of my last TCHP chemo treatment is coming up so I hope to do a few posts to bring in another wave of donations. I have raised A LOT of money, but it still wouldn’t cover the cost of one of my chemo treatments pre-insurance. 

What are you most looking forward to regarding the event?  

I am looking forward to being surrounded by others who are so committed to the cause that they are willing to sacrifice their time and energy to this incredible challenge. And selfishly, I am walking with one of my best friends and I can’t wait to have three days together! What am I least looking forward to (not that you asked)? I am a crier and will likely be crying 80% of the three days; it will be a hard weekend emotionally. 

What advice would you like to seek or questions you’d like to ask from any veteran walkers?  

Please tell me the blisters are avoidable! I can and have survived a lot, but I am a big wimp when it comes to blisters! 

Do you have any advice for Shannon or any other first-time walkers? Tell us your best tips and tricks for conquering the 3-Day in the comments! 

2022 Susan G. Komen New England 3-Day Route Preview

It’s been three years since the Susan G. Komen 3-Day was in New England, and in just a few weeks we’ll be returning to this wonderful and historic route! While we can’t give away all the exciting details, here are some key sites you can look forward to seeing on the 2022 New England 3-Day!

After three years away, the countdown to event weekend has begun! We know you’re eager and excited to get back into the Pink Bubble and explore all the wonderful sights and scenes that Boston has to offer, all while doing everything you can to save lives from breast cancer. And don’t forget while you’re out on the route this year, take plenty of pictures and post using the hashtag #NE3Day for a chance to be featured on our social media!

So here we go! The New England 3-Day is a hotel-based event, and walkers and crew will sleep, eat and visit main street at Marriott Copley Place. The Pink Bubble spirit will be infused throughout the entire experience, so get ready!

If you participated in the 2019 New England 3-Day, the route for this year will look a little different.

On Day 1 of the event, walkers can expect to see the beautiful suburb of Brookline, pass Boston College, return to the suburbs to visit Newton, and finish up by passing Boston University!

On Day 2, we’ll start by touring South Boston, or as the locals call it, “Southie.” Continuing on, walkers will pass by the iconic “Cheers” restaurant and bar. Walkers will then make their way towards Fenway Park, where fans may be starting to gather as the Red Sox take on the Tampa Bay Orioles at home! (And don’t forget to check out our special New England Scavenger Hunt which we will be posting in the Facebook group during the event!) As we approach the end of Day 2 and get ready to take pictures with the “40 miles down” sign, we will walk past the Sam Adams Brewery!

We will start Day 3 strong at the Boston Marathon Finish Line, travel through the beautiful Boston Common public park, maybe get a degree as we go past Harvard University and make our way to The Freedom Trail. As we enter The Freedom Trail, we’ll have plenty of spots for photo ops as we will see the USS Constitution, the Bunker Hill Monument and the infamous Boston Tea Party Ships.

We can’t wait to be in this exciting city as we reunite the Pink Bubble for the first event in our lineup for the 2022 3-Day season!

Are you as excited as us for this amazing route? Tell us in the comments what you’re most looking forward to on the 2022 New England 3-Day. As always, if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to your 3-Day coaches.

Scott’s Story

Long-time walker and crew member Scott S. committed to the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® after losing his mother to breast cancer. Now, he hopes to instill the same passion he has for the 3-Day into his four sons. 

My first Susan G. Komen 3-Day was in Atlanta in 2005. My Mom had passed away in 2004 after a long battle with breast cancer and when my sister Melissa committed to walk, I joined her. It was an incredible, touching experience. The following year, Melissa was pregnant, so I walked with my wife, Jessica. The following year, Jessica and I switched to the crew to give that a try and absolutely loved supporting the walkers, building connections with them and seeing the other side of the event. From there, I just never stopped. I’ve crewed on multiple teams (both camp and route), been a crew captain many, many times (Gear and Tent!) and formed wonderful friendships with so many amazing repeat walkers and crew members.  

My first son was born in September of 2009 and made his first visit to the Pink Bubble when he was just three weeks old. Since then, Jessica and I have had three more sons and they’ve grown up visiting me at the 3-Day. They never got to meet their grandmother, but they know her through our pictures and stories, and the connection we feel when we’re on event working to support survivors like her and their loved ones. As a father, I feel it’s important to show my kids that we can accomplish amazing things when we work in support of a cause that’s greater than ourselves. I believe in a world without breast cancer, and so we work toward that, to spare others the loss that we’ve suffered. My son Porter was able to join me last year in San Diego as a Youth Corps member, and I’m happy to say that he’ll be back with me this year in Dallas/Fort Worth. My second son Lincoln (now 10 years old) will be a Youth Corps member with me when I crew San Diego again this year! 

Keep an eye out for Scott and his sons on our Dallas/Fort Worth and San Diego 3-Day events this year!