Returning to New England for the first time since 2019, members of the Pink Bubble traveled from all across the country to participate in the first 2022 Susan G. Komen 3-Day of the year! August 26-28 were three special days as walkers, crew and volunteers completed 60 miles and raised $2.7 million in the fight against breast cancer.
Day 1
The first day of the event started with excitement and adrenaline during the Opening Ceremony, where we met host Lori Maris and emcee Kimberly Reinika! We raised our Promise Flag and then headed out on the route from the beautiful Marriott Copley Place.
Walkers got a full taste of the Boston suburbs this day, passing through areas such as Brookline and Newton, and also getting to see some of the most historic higher education campuses! We got a full view of both Boston College and Boston University, an institution that benefits from Komen research funds. Komen Scholar Dr. Julie Palmer from Boston University said, “Komen has a long history of working to decrease breast cancer health disparities, most recently with their Health Equity Initiative, which makes community engagement the foundation of change. I hope to contribute to these activities while continuing with my own research projects.”
Unfortunately, lightning and thunderstorms rolled in in the late afternoon, but thankfully 3-Day sweep vans and route safety crew worked together to gather all walkers still out on the route and bring them back to the hotel safely. Spirits were lifted back up with dinner and game night, as we played “junk in the trunk,” re-energized our skin with Natura Bissé Diamond Mist, enjoyed a community sing along and of course, sat in the relaxing Bank of America massage chairs.
Day 2
As always, Saturday morning was the Bank of America Breakfast of Champions, where we honored all of our top fundraisers! The fundraising efforts that all walkers, crew and Youth Corps do is truly amazing, and reminds us all that we’re in it together to put an end to this disease.
On the way to Pit Stop 1, walkers got a beautiful view of both Dorchester Bay and Pleasure Bay before getting refueled. After passing the Seaport District, they re-entered downtown into the beautiful Boston Common for Pit Stop 2.
Leaving Pit Stop 2, it was nothing but smiles as we passed the iconic “Cheers” bar and then Fenway Park, which made for some great photo ops!
We were also able to walk past Harvard University, and Dana Farber Cancer Institute that benefits from Komen Research funds. Interns from Dana-Farber came out and helped cheer on walkers! Komen Scholar and Dana-Farber medical oncologist, Nikhil Wagle, M.D. said “I’m in with Komen because they help support my research in metastatic breast cancer to try to make a difference for all the patients with metastatic disease.”
Lunch on Day 2 is always special, as we have our Halfway Celebration! Walkers ran through the pink streamer arch, relaxed on Mohawk Flooring’s SmartCushion, and participated in our Halfway Celebration dance before heading back on the route.
And though no alcohol is allowed on or off the route on the 3-Day, we did pass by Sam Adams Brewery before returning to the hotel after completing 40 miles of the 60-mile journey!
After taking photos at the Day 2, 40 miles banner, we ate delicious 3-Day mac & cheese and prepared for the Honor Ceremony. The stories and personal experiences told, along with individual declarations by our New England Youth Corps, reminded us all that while the 3-Day is such a fun event, we’re all here for one reason: to find the cures for this disease that has affected us all in one way or another. We lit our candles, placed them in our pink luminaria bags, and lined them up in our hotel room windowsills.
Day 3
The morning of Day 3 is always bittersweet. While excited to complete this journey and accomplish 60 miles in just three days, we don’t quite want this experience to be over yet.
Parallel to us finishing our own marathon of sorts, we started the Day 3 route at the Boston Marathon Finish Line. We then traveled through breathtaking Boston Common one last time before embracing the truly historic sights New England has to offer.
Shortly after passing Pit Stop 1, walkers encountered the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where Komen grantee, Dr. Regina Barzilay, is using artificial intelligence to predict breast cancer and personalize treatment.
We then made our way to the Freedom Trail. Not only did we see the historical USS Constitution and the Bunker Hill Monument, but we also saw the Boston Tea Party ships!
Both lunch and Pit Stop 3 had gorgeous views, looking over Boston’s West End at North Point Park and Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park, respectively.
But it was the Lawn on D, our amazing Closing Ceremony site, that brought us all home. We were welcomed by a local cheer team, we celebrated our last walker and shared the Closing Ceremony with the smiling faces of our 800 New England 3-Day walkers and 175 crew members.
We raised our commit flags to honor those we walk for, and raised our shoes to salute our survivors. Together, we raised $2.7 million in the fight against breast cancer.
We thank all of our amazing participants not only for the life-changing funds they raised, but for the laughs, the cries, the hugs and high fives we all had together this weekend.
And thank you, New England, for welcoming us with open arms as we kicked off our 2022 Susan G. Komen 3-Day Series!
What was your favorite part about the New England 3-Day? Whether a sight or a story, tell us in the comments!
