Monthly Archives: December 2020

In One Word: What is the 3-Day?

The Susan G. Komen 3-Day® means so many things to so many of us.

As we bid 2020 farewell and set our sights to 2021, we wanted to take a minute to recognize what the 3-Day means to each and every one of us. Over on our 3-Day Facebook groups, we asked our Komen 3-Day family to describe the 3-Day in one word.

One single word.

Picking one word to represent the 3-Day—something so precious, so dynamic, and so extraordinary—is challenging, to say the least.

The 3-Day can mean one thing to you the first time you do it and something completely different the next. It can mean something to you during Day One and something completely different on Day Two and Day Three. It can even signify something during the first mile of your day and something completely different during your last mile.

This big, beautiful thing we’ve created together called the 3-Day is special.

And while it is hard to encompass the 3-Day in one word, we think you did a pretty incredible job capturing the spirit of the 3-Day.

Inspiring. Family. Friendship. Amazing. Exhilarating. Monumental. Life-Changing. Awesome. Friends. Strong. Compassionate. Hope. Love. Health. Committed. Momentous. Unforgettable. Kindness. Heartwarming. Incomparable. MacNCheese. Resilient. Faith-Renewing. Fulfilling. Community. Grateful. Amazeballs. Overdue. Emotional. Memorable.

Why this one word? Here are a few of our favorite explanations.

Marci H.: “Grateful. Every walk reminds me how lucky I was because of early detection. Keeps me motivated until everyone is that lucky.”

Anne K.: “Exhilarating…the challenge of the miles but surrounded by all with the same purpose…such support of one another and hearing each story as you go.”

Sherry P.: “Family comes in every imaginable shape, size, color, creed, etc., but when the going gets tough, family is who stands behind you pushing you forward, beside you to remind you that you are never alone, and in front of you to help show the way. The 3-Day family embodies that concept. A true blessing.”

Sandy K.: “Monumental…look at what a mobilized group of people can accomplish. We are all willing volunteers—walkers and crew. We move mountains.”

And, through teary eyes, we share Arti A.’s reason for her word…the word used most frequently by all of you: “inspiring”.

“As a survivor, I see and feel the support, the radiating hope, and the fellowship of not ever being alone in the journey.”

3-Day family, you are never alone.

See you in 2021. ??

How We Stayed #3DayTogether This Year

3-Day Family:

Thank you so much for your support in 2020! Though we couldn’t gather together in person this year, we still felt the Pink Bubble love stronger than ever.

From Zoom social hours to our #3DayTogether Spring Break walk, from the Red, White, and Blue Walk with You virtual walk  to our 2021 Virtual Kick-Offs, we loved every moment we spent “together” with you in 2020.

For us, four of the most special days of this year were our 2021 Virtual Kick-Offs. On these four days, we gathered together virtually on the original date of the 2020 3-Day events and celebrated all the things that make the 3-Day so special. We shared videos of special guests cheering you on, took part in a 3-Day-themed scavenger hunt, and celebrated each mile walked together. We heard from incredible survivor speakers and learned fundraising tips from our fundraising challenge winners, whose stories are all linked below.

Most of all, we loved seeing every photo shared, every mask selfie taken, and each word of encouragement typed.

Was it the same? Absolutely not.

Will we treasure it forever? Absolutely.

Chicago

Dallas/Fort Worth

New England

San Diego

Kick-Off Survivor Speaker Brittany G.

The 2021 San Diego 3-Day Virtual Kick-Off on November 21st was our final Virtual Kick-Off of the year. We loved getting together with our amazing 3-Day participants and getting to hear their stories. Brittany G. spoke at our evening celebration and really moved us with her story. If you didn’t get a chance to hear her speak, here is her story, in her own words.

Hello! My name is Brittany and I am a young breast cancer survivor. I was diagnosed in 2017, just a few days after my 30th birthday. I found the lump on my own in the shower, just by accident! I was washing my armpit and my wrist grazed something that didn’t feel right. I got it checked out immediately. My doctor was hoping it was just a cyst or something, but wanted to play it safe, so she sent me for a mammogram and ultrasound, which lead to a biopsy and a positive result for breast cancer.

Things moved along quickly after that. Within a few weeks I had a single mastectomy and once I was recovered from that, I started chemo. Chemo was something I was really hoping to avoid, and so I sought multiple opinions from doctors, but they all said that would be my best option. I did cold capping throughout chemo so I was able to keep most of my hair. It was super helpful to have a sense of normalcy and be able to stay as private as I wanted about what I was going through with strangers at work and out in public.

Last day of chemo! November 2017

After chemo was over, I did five weeks of radiation and then immunotherapy, and finally after a very long year, I was done with surgeries and treatments and immediately got my port removed! I was ready to move on with my life and put breast cancer behind me. But the universe had other plans for me! Later on in 2018 I was having a routine chest MRI that found some lesions on my sternum. I had those biopsied and it ended up being MORE cancer. So treatment started up again — I got a new port, did more immunotherapy, and was on a chemo pill for a year. I also had surgery to remove my sternum and replace it with a fake one!

Sternum surgery — March 2019

Today, I am almost one year out from finishing treatment from that and so far my scans have all been clean! Earlier this year, I got a mastectomy cover up tattoo which was something I wanted to get from the very beginning. It was a perfect way to wrap up this part of the journey.

After my mastectomy tattoo — January 2019

Throughout my whole breast cancer journey, it was really important to me to live life like I normally would. Of course I rested when I needed to, but I continued to work full-time, exercise, travel and do things I love. I remember after my first chemo I asked the nurses what I was allowed to do that evening. They said whatever I felt up to, so my husband and I went to a baseball game! A few weeks after my first treatment we traveled to Canada, and the day I finished my last chemo treatment we flew to Vegas to celebrate! We even sold our house and bought a new one when I was in the middle of chemo. I guess you could say nothing can stop me!

I love to share my story because I feel like I am a great example of how breast cancer doesn’t care how old you are. I maintained positivity throughout, and it was SO helpful. If my positivity and story can help even one person, I’d say that is a success!

Over the years, even before I was diagnosed, I participated in Race for the Cure events and always aspired to do a 3-Day walk at some point. The Race for the Cure events were always amazing, so I can’t even imagine what a 3-Day event will be like! Last year my mother-in-law, who is also a survivor, signed up with me for the San Diego 3-Day. We are looking forward to walking together next year!

Bikers for Tatas Event — October 2017

Thank you, Brittany, for sharing your story and your amazing positivity — both at the San Diego 3-Day Virtual Kick-Off and again here for all to read. We can’t wait to see you experience your very first 3-Day next November! We know you’re going to love the Pink Bubble.