Not Survive, But Thrive: Washington, D.C. 3-Day

To say that it rained on Day 1 of the Susan G. Komen 3-Day^® in Washington, D.C. this last weekend would not be doing it justice. For 1,000 walkers and over 300 crew members who braved the elements (with rain really coming down just as the Opening Ceremony started), Friday was another defining feat in the lives of those who walk to find an end to breast cancer. From the Westfield Wheaton Mall where an inspirational tribute was given to breast cancer survivors to a lunch stop which gave time to change into dry socks, participants showed the resolve that I heard so many times over the weekend: “Well, it’s nothing like chemo!”

The 20.9-mile Day 1 traveled through Wheaton, Silver Springs, Chevy Chase, Bethesda and finally Washington, D.C. The old adage, “These are Komen miles” was particularly poignant as some walkers veered off course, adding more mileage and likely just trying to show how tough they really were! I admired many solo walkers (those who came without family or friends) who were pushing on alone, but constantly meeting new people. And who doesn’t feel loved when they encounter the themed Pit Stops and lunch crew along the way? Everything from the Western-styled cowboys and cowgirls of Pit Stop 3 to the Hawaiian luau theme of Pit Stop 2 delights a weary 60-mile walker.

The walkers ended the day at the Washington, D.C. Armory and were treated to a little relaxation while drying out from the day. John Shinar, walking all fourteen events, was recognized along with the top fundraisers. Ron R, a breast cancer survivor, gave the inspirational speech of the night, laced with his humorous personal style.

The 17-mile route on Day 2 remained mostly dry and walkers took advantage of it by quickening their pace. “I’m moving in case it rains later!” quipped one walker as she cruised by me in Pit Stop 3. A special treat of the day was the “Pink Firefighter” at water’s edge. Having lost so many loved ones to breast cancer, he stood in remembrance in full pink firefighting regalia, with a fireboat blasting at full throttle just off shore. The sign in front read “John Glenn, Jr. and the crew honor all angels lost. Their flame will never be extinguished.” That night, inspirational speeches from Kimberley B, a co-survivor, and Lindsay R, a young survivor energized the audience of walkers and crew. Hearing from the Youth Corps gave everyone a renewed hope to fight, as their stories of why they became involved touched everyone deeply.

Sunday’s course of 16.9 miles started with a bang as an impressive amount of walkers were chomping at the bit to hit the streets as the route opened. Spirits were high as the group made its way around Washington, D.C. The streets were busy on Sunday, and the pink flags that the walkers carried turned heads as they crossed busy streets and moved through popular destination areas. The private cheering groups along the last few miles were a real bonus! One chalk drawing read, “59 miles” and parked cars with family and friends gave a last, supportive cheer. The emotional finish line and Closing Ceremony gave us all a time to reflect on our loved ones and the reasons we continue to help find a cure. After the Survivors’ Circle raised the flag of hope, the Washington, D.C. 3-Day walkers, crew, volunteers, and family and friends danced to “We Are Family!”

Thank you all for thriving on this Washington, D.C. 3-Day!

Let Lindsay Inspire You

Lindsay rests during the Susan G. Komen Washington, D.C. 3-Day event

When I first saw Lindsay R on the Susan G. Komen 3-Day^® in Washington, D.C. this year, she was sitting quietly in the corner of an outside building at a lunch stop. It had been a very long morning for the 60-mile walkers, and Day 1 of the Komen 3-Day was turning into a deluge. Soaked to the core, Lindsay had joined the rest of the walkers under the protection of a roof as they changed into dry socks, ate lunch, and bandaged blisters.

And no one complained.

Lindsay seemed shy as I stole a picture of her, the pink of her outfit matching the pink of the large flag she was carrying in the rain, which read “COURAGE.” Many of the walkers choose to carry flags along the route, but I was distracted and did not get to ask her about why she was walking. Day 1 of the Washington, D.C. 3-Day ended with rain on top of more rain, and the walkers, Lindsay included, plowed on the streets for Day 2 and the second leg of 20 miles. It wasn’t until the camp show on Saturday night that I realized my first impression of Lindsay was misguided.

Lindsay takes the stage to tell her story on the Washington, D.C. 3-Day

“My name is Lindsay and I am a survivor!” Lindsay had the attention of hundreds of people in an instant. “On Friday, April 13, 2012, I was diagnosed with breast cancer.” The audience was fully present as she described her ordeal of trying to find help. No one believed that she could have cancer, and her frustration seemed to have boiled over. “I felt so incredibly alone in my situation. It was one of the darkest, loneliest times of my life.” She told of her connection to another 3-Day family member, Bridget Spence, whose words gave her the “ability to keep hope alive and to live life, really live life.”

Lindsay inspires the crowd of hundreds at Saturday’s Camp Show

Her voiced boomed through the darkness in the Washington, D.C. night as the electrified crowd jumped to its feet. “CANCER WILL NOT BE THE END OF ME! Let me say that one more time. CANCER WILL NOT BE THE END OF ME!” To punctuate her attitude, she joined the crowd in the celebration of searching for a cure for breast cancer by dancing into the night. The experience of seeing her soul open as this transition from quiet, courageous walker to powerful advocate for hope was inspirational to the core.

From all of those fighting for a cure for breast cancer, we salute you Lindsay! Thank you for your inspiration!

Lindsay is all smiles at Pit Stop 1 on the last day of the Washington, D.C. 3-Day

The crowd moves to the traditional Saturday night dance party at the Washington, D.C. 3-Day

Team Girlapalooza: Welcoming Walkers Since 2008

What do you get when you have a party of merry-going women from around the country away from kids, husbands and with few inhibitions? “Well, we call it ‘Girlapalooza,’ but you also get someone at the party suggesting you do the Susan G. Komen 3-Day^®!” said Kathleen Butler, the team captain of the largest team of 60-mile walker/fundraisers this year on the Washington, D.C. 3-Day. “We weren’t quite sure who suggested it in 2007, but off we went, from a gathering of college friends and friends of friends, we became a team with a cause.”

Cynthia from Alabama is a first-time walker and joined Team Girlapalooza as she celebrates her 31st anniversary of surviving breast cancer

Teams of walkers form for the 60-mile, 3-Day walk to help each other train, raise at least $2,300 each and support each other over the grueling course. Fashion is, of course, of the highest priority for Komen 3-Day teams and the creativity and liberal use of pink together dominate the teams’ attire. Fundraising can also be tough, but Team Girlapalooza with its 56 members this year, managed to pull in $86,566, putting them as the number four out of five of the top team fundraisers. “Our success in fundraising simply comes from having members who step out of their comfort zones and ask!” said Kathleen. “And yes, we welcome walkers onto our team from all over the country. We all meet for a dinner the night before the walk and really get to know the newcomers.”

Dawn from Kentucky is walking for her friend and co-worker who died from breast cancer last year and is a new arrival to Team Girlapalooza

Among the newcomers are Dawn from Kentucky who found Team Girlapalooza on The3Day.org message board. “They were very accepting,” said Dawn after Pit Stop 2 today. “I’m walking for a friend of mine, a teacher from back home who died from breast cancer last year.” Cynthia from Huntsville, Alabama is a first-time walker and is celebrating her 31st anniversary of being cancer free!

Among the veteran members, Julie Lobdell is receiving a special award this weekend for her 10 years of effort on the Susan G. Komen 3-Day with $126,980 raised to date. What an accomplishment! This award, known as the Milestone Award, is given to one participant in each city each year, and Julie is more than deserving of this recognition.

Julie Lobdell with Team Girlapalooza cruises onto the route on Day 3 of the Washington, D.C. 3-Day

“I joined up with Team Girlapalooza because I needed to be on a team here in Washington, D.C.” said Cynthia on the chilly morning before the event started Friday. She seemed a bit nervous about the start of such a long walk but mentioned, “I’ve got my Tasheia, my daughter, with me from West Virginia, so we’re going to do this.”

Although Kathleen is the captain of Team Girlapalooza, she alternates years where she walks the 60-miles and serves as a volunteer crew member. Kathleen will be the captain of the Lunch Crew this year, so watch out for their highly original, themed lunch stops each day.

Kathleen Butler is team captain of “Girlapalooza” a large group of Susan G. Komen 3-Day walkers that claims members all over the country

A large percentage of participants in the 3-Day have direct and indirect connections to breast cancer and Kathleen is no different. “I have the family connections, but I also teach First Grade Sunday School, and two out of three years teaching I’ve had six year old girls who have lost their moms to breast cancer,” said Kathleen, turning over her credentials on her lanyard to show a family portrait of the girls from church. It’s hard not to tear up when she talks about them. “I just can’t believe that such wonderful little girls have to go to bed without hugging their mommy,” Kathleen affirms. “That’s why we do it.”

Say hello to Team Girlapalooza this weekend!