For the 2018 Susan G. Komen 3-Day® season, we’re pleased to be continuing the Local Impact Award. This award is being given to participants who have been instrumental in strengthening the 3-Day® community throughout the year. Local Impact Award honorees have gone above and beyond in their efforts leading training walks, attending 3-Day community events, supporting the 3-Day staff year-round at meet-ups and workshops, and in general, making a difference by building lasting relationships and showing commitment to the 3-Day in all they do.

Please join us in congratulating the 2018 Seattle 3-Day Local Impact Award Winner, Tath Hossfeld.

We learned more about why this event, and cause, is so important to her… 

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

I wanted to celebrate my survivorship and see if a woman over 50 could walk 60 – now I know a woman over 70 can walk 60! 

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

As soon as I walked my first 3 day, I realized this event was way more than about me – to watch everyone – survivors and non survivors be empowered is beyond incredible

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

A great fundraising letter. I make it personal every year – because that’s what Breast Cancer is about. It’s about a Mom knowing she’ll never get to see her daughter walk down the aisle, it’s about a husband realizing that he will be the one taking his little girl shopping for her first bra, it’s about my friend Susan realizing that she just wasn’t going to get to see her granddaughter turn one on her own birthday and the stories abound – I try very hard in my letters to realize the human aspect of this disease. It’s the people behind this disease!

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

Realize that at some point ( or many) you will question your sanity for doing this walk. But every time I have thought oh man I am getting to old, I hurt too much to go on I come upon someone else who is really struggling – and I find myself focused on getting them to the next PIT STOP. You will never be walking alone!

What’s a fun fact about you?

I love to sail and ski – it’s my perfect get away. And at an early age I learned to hula!

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

To encourage others to achieve something they weren’t sure that they could achieve – it’s the ultimate high 5 at the end of the day.