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. 

How Sweep Vans Support Walkers at the 3-Day

Donna and Denise's sweep van at the Denver 3-Day. The theme was Wizard of Oz.

When participants arrive at the Susan G. Komen 3-Day®, they’re determined to take on an unforgettable journey of walking up to 60 miles. But sometimes exhaustion, an unexpected injury, weather-related route closures or simply needing a moment to recharge can make it difficult for walkers to stay on the route.  

That’s where the sweep vans come in.  

Throughout the 3-Day weekend, sweep vans monitor the route for walkers who need a break and provide transportation to another section of the route. While some walkers choose to use a sweep van if an unexpected challenge arises, others incorporate them into their event plan from the start. No matter the reason, sweep van crews are ready to offer a lift, encouragement and a warm welcome when a 3-Day walker steps inside. 

More Than Just a Ride 

Denise and Donna dressed in costume near their Wizard of Oz sweep van at the Komen 3-Day.

Like many parts of the 3-Day, sweep vans embrace the spirit of the Pink Bubble. Crews often decorate their vans, wear costumes and create fun themes to lift walkers’ moods and to keep the energy going all weekend.  

At last year’s Denver 3-Day, Donna K. and Denise S. decorated their sweep van based on the Wizard of Oz. The pair dressed in costumes including Dorothy, the Cowardly Lion and the Tin Man, plus Glinda and Elphaba and greeted walkers with music and gave them small gifts. 

“My son 3-D printed these red badges of courage, and we passed those out to everybody as they came in the van,” Donna said. 

Donna and Denise in the 3-Day sweep van supporting walkers.

For Donna, who has been participating in the 3-Day as a walker since 2006 and crews in at least one city a year, supporting walkers from a sweep van gave her a new perspective.  

“There’s some people that absolutely will not get in a sweep van,” Donna said. “That was me when I first started doing the walk. I wanted to do all the miles. But after a while, you realize that walking is just secondary to the experience and that you need to listen to your body. If you’re having struggles, it’s OK to get in a sweep van.”  

Although many participants are hesitant to ride a sweep van because of their determination to complete all 60 miles on foot, Donna encourages walkers to view the vans as tool to help them succeed. 

A Different Way to Give Back 

Donna and Denise behind the wheel of their 3-Day sweep van dressed in costume.

Denise is no stranger to the 3-Day. Inspired by her mother’s breast cancer diagnosis, she participated in the event for years and completed approximately 15 walks. But last year’s Denver 3-Day marked her first time serving on the crew. 

Crewing alongside Donna in the sweep van gave Denise a new appreciation for the support crew members provide to walkers. 

“I think one thing I would like people to know is how good it makes the people in the sweep vans feel when somebody comes in our van,” Denise said. “We are there driving the vans and we are there hanging around to help when they need us. And it felt good when we were able to do that.” 

This year, Donna and Denise will be back behind the wheel of their Wizard of Oz-themed sweep van at the Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day. Their message to walkers is simple: Don’t be afraid to accept support. 

Taking a sweep van doesn’t mean your 3-Day journey is over. Sometimes a quick break is all you need to keep moving toward the finish line. 

Denise and Donna outside their sweep van on the yellow brick road they set up.

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

Carl B.’s Journey to His 40th 3-Day

Carl B. and his fellow 3-Day walkers in Dallas.

When Carl B. first signed up for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® in 2006, he had a deeply personal reason for participating. Nearly two decades later, he’s still showing up, even though the circumstances that first brought him to the event have changed. 

“I did my first 3-Day in Boston two years after my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer, but when we separated, I questioned if this was still my mission,” Carl said.  

As he thought about that question, he found out that Teresa, a friend he had met through the 3-Day community, had passed away. Seeing her last Facebook post felt like a sign. 

“She left this poignant last Facebook post. I still go back and look at it for inspiration every so often. It’s still there, 12 years later,” Carl said. “She told her friends and family about hospice and about trying to keep her comfortable, and she ended it with, ‘I pray for better treatments.’” 

Carl B. also creates art inspired by his 3-Day journey.

Carl’s artwork inspired by the 3-Day.

Carl said Teresa’s words reminded him that the mission was bigger than his own story. 

“I haven’t looked back since,” he said.  

Over the years, his connection with the 3-Day community has only grown stronger. 

“After I got divorced, I had a whole new social circle enter my life. And Lord, probably 15% of them are affected by breast cancer and a few of them have died,” Carl said.  “It’s such a huge factor in my life, and some of my best friends in the world are people I’ve met on the 3-Day. I just can’t imagine not doing it.” 

To honor his friends who have died from breast cancer, many of whom he met through the 3-Day, Carl has a band of pink ribbons tattooed around his arm.  

Carl B. with his pink beard at the Boston 3-Day.

Now in his early 60s, Carl is looking forward to walking his 40th 3-Day at the Tampa Bay event in 2027. 

“I think that everybody needs to do something to make the world a better place,” Carl said. “So, I’ve been doing this for the past 20 plus years and I really enjoy it.”

Carl said being immersed in the Pink Bubble has also encouraged him to keep a closer eye on his own health. 

“I do check myself and I try to be aware of everything going on with my body,” he said. “I think that’s really the best way to detect something early.”

Carl B. and members of the Pink Bubble at the San Diego 3-Day halfway mark.