You’ve seen them on the route, you’ve probably taken a picture on or with the classic fire truck, and maybe even worn the pink firefighter hats, but have you ever wondered who the nice couple is behind the fire truck? They have become well-known supporters, driving out from Palm Springs to San Diego every year to cheer walkers on. Meet Brad and Debbie!

When did you first get involved with the Susan G. Komen 3-Day®?

My wife battled breast cancer in 1999. We first got involved with the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® in 2008. My wife Debbie saw an ad in a magazine and said she wanted to do the walk. I decided to do it with her, along with two of my brothers. We raised the money and did EVERY training walk according to the schedule that was put out, which got a little tricky with our 120-degree day summers. But the training allowed us to walk the entire 60 miles, which was really fun! My wife decided to walk again in 2011. We wanted to be 60 years old walking 60. What a way to celebrate your 60th birthday! I was always inspired by all the walker stalkers who encouraged us during our own experience. So, 2011 was the first year I brought my fire truck and my “3-Day Walkers Are Hot” sign to follow the walkers. I have done it every year since, with the exception of one year when I had a surgery and could not attend.

Why do you choose to come out and cheer on walkers?

Because it’s so FUN! The walkers are so positive and need the encouragement to keep going. Plus, when we walked, we saw how important the supporters were to us and we wanted to do something in return. Bringing out our fire truck, firefighter hats, and sign is the something we chose to do.

What keeps you motivated to keep coming out year after year to support the 3-Day?

The amazing walkers, crew and staff! It’s very well organized and such a fun event. We never hear a complaint from anyone. And we like the Melon Men!

What are some fun facts about you and your wife, Debbie?

Our claim to fame is that we were on the Newlywed Game in 1971, and we won! We have three children and six grandchildren who we love spending time with. I am a retired firefighter and my wife is a retired school teacher. I spend a lot of time working on my garden and home, while my wife likes to read and make quilts.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

We appreciate all that Susan G. Komen does to provide such a wonderful event for men and women who are in one way or another connected to breast cancer. See you next year!

We love our walker stalkers, as well as learning why they come out year after year to support us all on our 3-Day journey. Do you have a favorite walker stalker? Shout them out in the comments!

Please join us in congratulating our 2021 San Diego 3-Day Milestone Award Winner, Jeannie A.! Jeannie celebrated her 50^TH 3-Day during 3-Day Nation and now her 51^st after San Diego. She has raised more than $141,000 since she first started participating in 2004! Jeannie’s commitment to the Susan G. Komen 3-Day®, Susan G. Komen® and the fight against breast cancer epitomizes what the Pink Bubble is all about. 

In preparation for giving Jeannie the Milestone Award, we reached out to her friend and teammate Kathy, who said, “We LOVE our Jeannie, and that’s an understatement. Jeannie cares so much about finding the cures because she is so emotionally moved when she hears of a young person battling this disease. I believe she feels she “lucked out” with a modest battle herself, and therefore her way to show gratitude and appreciation for her life is to pay it forward for others fighting this disease.”

We asked Jeannie a few questions so we, along with the rest of the Pink Bubble, could get to know her a little better. 

What was your inspiration to do your first Komen 3-Day?  

In 2001 I served as a crew member on the Avon Breast Cancer 3-Day. When I had my annual mammogram, it showed something irregular that my doctor wanted to investigate. It was cancer. The Monday after the walk I had surgery. I was lucky; it was small and we caught it early. I wanted to walk the following year to feel healthy and normal. The walk was in May, and on Friday the weather was beautiful. However, we got rain, sleet and snow on Saturday, so the route was shut down. I felt cheated, so I signed up for the following year. The Avon 3-Day then became the Avon 2-Day, and I felt cheated again. But then Susan G. Komen brought the 3-Day® back, and I jumped on board and never looked back.   

What has brought you back to the 3-Day year after year?  

My goals kept changing. At first it was going to be one and done. Then, it was going to be five walks to coincide with my being five years cancer-free. Then 10 years, then 20 walks, then doing all fourteen cities (not in one year), then $150,000 and then the seven cities. The 3-Day just becomes a part of your life, and breast cancer is still out there. 

What is the secret to your 3-Day fundraising success?  

My fundraising has changed over the years. At first, I mainly had individual donations. Over the years I have knitted scarfs, made t-shirts and memory quilts, stood in front of a liquor store with a bucket and had yard sales. I suggest looking for donation matches and asking everyone you know. The worst they can do is say no! 

What is your best advice to anyone walking the 3-Day?  

My advice to new walkers is to have fun, meet new people and listen to their stories. And remember this is a fundraiser, not an endurance test. You want to walk into closing on Sunday and be able to go to work on Monday. And you do not get a gold star for doing all the miles. Just because you get into a sweep van, it does not mean you cannot walk anymore that day. Sometimes you just need a little help.  

  

What’s a fun fact about you?  

I make great biscotti! 

What are the most important lessons you’ve learned on the 3-Day?  

I have learned that people can do more than they think. If you work at it, it is amazing how much you can accomplish. That is how we will find the cures.  

Join us in congratulating Jeannie! THANK YOU for your contributions to the Komen 3-Day over the last 17 years!