Monthly Archives: October 2019

Why I Walk: First-Time Walker Emmie J. Spent Her 21st Birthday on the New England 3-Day

To Emmie Jeffcoat, commitment means “doing everything I am capable of to help find a cure.” It also meant spending her 21st birthday as part of “the most heartwarming weekend ever” on the New England 3-Day!

Emmie had heard a lot about the 3-Day from her aunt (Coach Gayla from Dallas/Fort Worth!), but she still didn’t fully know what to expect. She didn’t anticipate being moved in the way she was over her three days in the New England 3-Day Pink Bubble. She decided to walk in 2019 because she hoped to inspire more young people to walk as well, but she’ll be back in 2020 because of the friends (of all ages) that she made during her 60-mile journey.

What began as a birthday celebration turned into a life-changing experience. Emmie is sharing with us just how much the 3-Day affected her, and why she will continue to commit 3 days.

How did you prepare for your 3-Day journey?

I didn’t follow the training guide as well as I should have. However, I did find that just getting used to being on my feet helped me a lot. I also walk 5-10 miles every day on campus just going to class, so I think that helped me, too! Fortunately for me, my campus is full of hills, so I was prepared for the hills on the walk.

Do you have any fundraising advice for first timers?

My best advice with fundraising would be exactly what my aunt told me: ask anyone and everyone! You never know who is going to have a connection to breast cancer or want to donate, so tell everyone about the walk and what it’s about. More than half of the people who donated to my fundraiser were people I had either never met or hadn’t seen in years. Social media played a HUGE part in my fundraising as well. Putting information on social media platforms helped me get my story out to more people.

Tell us about your overall 3-Day experience!

I have so many fond memories of my three-day experience!

  1. I think I laughed harder with my Aunt than I ever have in my entire life. There’s not one specific memory of that, but just 3 days FULL of laughing until I could barely breathe.
  2. I had the honor of meeting a survivor who was walking her 19th 3-day! Just talking to her and hearing her story made me realize the amount of strength these survivors have. I felt honored to be able to walk for them and be a small part of something so amazing. I know I had technically only been around her for three days, but she quickly became a huge role model for me. She was one of the coolest people I have ever met.
  3. GEORGE! He was such a wonderful example of what true love looks like. He is the sweetest/toughest man, and I loved seeing him every day. I wish everyone in the world could meet George.
  4. The Crew! The 3-Day crew was beyond awesome. I honestly don’t know how they manage. They had food, medical, pit stops, etc. Thank you, 3-Day Crew, for showing me how extraordinary the 3-Day is.
  5. The most amazing ceremony Saturday night. I won’t give anything away, but I will say that night is one I will never forget. It opened my eyes to what the walk is really about.
  6. Hearing “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond was also the best. It’s a song that everyone knows, so when it starts playing it’s so much fun to get a big group singing together!

The 3-Day is a big commitment in a variety of ways. What did this commitment mean to you?

I think the word “commitment” holds a whole new meaning now since I completed the walk. Commitment is making the choice to see something all the way through no matter what. Concerning breast cancer, I think commitment is making the decision to fight as hard as you possibly can. I think for families it means fighting with your loved one(s) throughout the entire process and sharing the strength it takes to get through something like that.

What are your plans for next year?

When I signed up for my first walk, I thought it was going to be a one-time thing I got to cross off my bucket list. However, after participating I realized that it is impossible to do just one! I haven’t decided which city yet, but you will definitely see me at another 3-Day in 2020! My goal is to do one 3-Day walk per year. You will also be able to catch me at some cheer stations dressed up and ready to make some walkers smile!

2019 Philadelphia 3-Day Wrap-Up

Over the weekend, hundreds of walkers, Crew and supporters gathered to celebrate the Susan G. Komen Philadelphia 3-Day. We were so honored to return to the East Coast, especially during Breast Cancer Awareness Month to bring more awareness to our mission, and the whole Philadelphia community came out in support of this goal.

Our weekend began inside the Grand Ballroom at Hilton Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing, where hundreds gathered, ready to take on the fight against breast cancer. The sun rose as our Opening Ceremony kicked off with speeches from our local participants, as well as our Bank of America partners. Then, our local survivors and those living with metastatic breast cancer led our walkers out into the fall morning.

We had perfect, cool fall walking weather for our first day, which began with walks through Penn’s Landing and Rittenhouse Square. Our first pit stop was at the beautiful Penn Park, marking 3.3 miles down already for the weekend.

The Please Touch Museum was a beautiful landscape for pit stop 2, and then we made our way over the Concourse Lake Trail in the afternoon. After a quick stop at the Rodin Museum Grounds, walkers arrived back home at our hotel camp! We enjoyed 3-Day BINGO, the Bank of America massage chairs, and comfy cozy beds to end Day One on a high note.

Day Two dawned bright and cool again, for another gorgeous day of walking. Right off the bat, walkers passed the Liberty Bell, and then at the first pit stop, our Philadelphia 3-Dayers ran the Rocky Steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Arms raised in the fall sunshine, they celebrated the first of many exciting moments during the day.

The celebrating continued at lunch, thanks to our new Halfway Celebration. We danced, took photos, and relaxed after 30 miles well-walked. Mark especially had a ball leading everyone in the 3-Day flash mob.

In the afternoon, we continued our walk throughout downtown Philadelphia, making everyone’s favorite stop at the Philadelphia Zoo. Giraffes, flamingos, zebras, eagles and more all came out to cheer on the Philadelphia 3-Day! Soon after, walkers again arrived home at our host hotel.

On Saturday night, we hosted an emotional Honor Ceremony, recognizing the loved ones we walk for, as well as honoring the last 15 years of the Philadelphia 3-Day. Everyone ended the night with joy and a new purpose. Philly was all ready for Day Three!

Sunday started off beautiful, with a walk down the historic Elfreth’s Alley to start our morning. Walkers loved snapping photos and taking in the history of this famous street! The photo ops continued after the first pit stop, when we went down Cheesesteak Avenue, and everyone had to pick a side: Pat’s or Geno’s. The walkers remain divided on their cheesesteak choice but united in their goal to finish Day Three!

The rain held off until lunch, but even a little liquid sunshine couldn’t stop these amazing walkers! They passed through Rittenhouse Square and the beautiful 30th Street Station before entering University of Pennsylvania’s campus at the end of their journey.

Our Closing Ceremony was held at Shoemaker Green on the Lawn at Penn for the first time, and despite the rainy weather, it was still a picturesque and wonderful spot to celebrate 60 miles! Walkers crossed the finish line with smiles and hugs all around.

The Closing Ceremony was jam packed with friends and family waiting to celebrate our courageous walkers and crew. Together, we raised $1.7 million toward the fight to end breast cancer. Philadelphia, thank you. We are so honored and grateful for everything you have done for our 3-Day family over the years.

Congratulations to the 2019 Philadelphia 3-Day Local Impact Award Winner, Nancy Moskoff

For the 2019 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 2019 Philadelphia 3-Day Local Impact Award Winner, Nancy Moskoff!

Nancy is a 19-time 3-Dayer with “the ability to make everyone she talks with feel special and important,” according to her friend Terri Vallinote. Terri says that Nancy “just sparkles,” and Coach Carol agrees!

“Nancy is always right where she needs to be and always thinking of others. One year I walked, Nancy showed up at Opening Ceremony with breakfast sandwiches that she had made at home, of which I was one of the lucky recipients!

Nancy doesn’t just participate in the 3-Day, she is also an advocate for the Philadelphia Susan G. Komen Affiliate, as well as other breast cancer organizations including Living Beyond Breast Cancer. As a coach raising awareness for our event, I had the privilege to see Nancy at both the More Than Pink Walk as well as other events I attended. At the More Than Pink Walk she was a shining star on a rainy day and always had a smile on her face. When it was time to leave the event and we were all drenched, another one of our coaches and I spotted Nancy leaving with a box full of flowers. As we said our good-byes out the window of the car, she came right over and shared the flowers with us. Nancy is always shining!”

Now, let’s hear from Nancy herself! When she answered these questions, she didn’t yet know she’d be honored with this award 🙂

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

One of my former coworkers drove home past 3-Day camp at Belmont plateau in 2007 when I was on chemo (the first time) and said I need to drive by and see it. I said okay and drove by and pulled over I was mesmerized by the sea of pink tents. I decided then and there that the next year I would be in one … and Nancy’s fight for the girls was born! We were in those tents the very next year!

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

I’m a 2-time survivor … I know that I need to do whatever I can for this cause. I love the pink bubble. It’s where I feel most at home surrounded by likeminded people who all have the same goal and happen to be some of my favorite people on earth!

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

We do whatever we can do to make the most money in the least amount of time! We might be last minute because we are crazy busy, but we get it done!

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

Enjoy every minute! It’s the best time you will ever have making so much of a difference! These people are like no others and they will do anything for you. I have made so many amazing friends here and wouldn’t trade them for anything.

What’s a fun fact about you?

I have always been crafty … hence the homemade 3-Day mail with glittered embellishment… sparkles… feathers…. all in my wheelhouse!

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

I’ve learned that I’m stronger than I thought I could ever be! Just keep on keeping on and do what you need to do! There are some amazing people along the journey … find your tribe! These pink people are my tribe ?