Monthly Archives: September 2022

2022 New England 3-Day Top Fundraisers

The 2022 Susan G. Komen New England 3-Day boasted 800 walkers and 175 crew, all of whom contributed to the $2.7 million we raised in the fight against breast cancer. Our top fundraisers were recognized Saturday morning of the event at our Bank of America Breakfast of Champions. Bank of America celebrates our fundraising champions with a collective $25,000 donation to jump start participants on their 2023 fundraising! Join us in congratulating these top fundraisers for their incredible achievements.

Our first top fundraiser is being acknowledged for multiple accomplishments! Corey H. is our Rookie of the Year as well as our Top Individual Fundraiser, raising over $23,000 for his first ever 3-Day. 

Let’s hear from Corey in his own words about his reason for committing to the 3-Day and fundraising for Susan G. Komen: 

“I commit in honor of my wife, Sarah. Sarah was a talented photographer, an animal lover, star athlete, and a fierce competitor. More importantly, she was a patient, fun, and loving mother to our two young daughters. And she was my best friend, partner for 17 years, and wife for 12 years. She was the one who always made sure we had a vegetable at every meal, that we consistently got exercise as a family, and she managed the calendar of most social and family events that filled up our weekends. She was healthy and fit at 39 years old. Last year, we were skiing in March and she had just convinced me to buy season ski passes for the next year as our girls were finally reaching the point that we could all ski as a family for a full day. Two months later, she was in a wheelchair ? diagnosed with stage 4 Triple Negative Breast cancer that had spread to her bones throughout her body. There was no known history of cancer anywhere in her family, so this diagnosis came as a complete shock to all of us. Her treatment options were limited because her blood counts were so low, but she fought hard and recovered enough that we were able to make many great memories as a family last fall. She passed away on January 3rd of this year at the age of 39, just seven months after her diagnosis. A few weeks before she passed away, Sarah underwent genetic testing and learned she had a rare mutation of the CDH1 gene, which significantly increased her chances of developing breast cancer. That mutation also means that each of our daughters now have  roughly a 50:50 chance of developing breast cancer as well. So, while I’m walking in Sarah’s honor and memory, I’m also walking for my daughters. I’m walking to help find a cure for this disease before they have a chance of developing it and so it doesn’t take anybody else’s mom, wife, daughter or sister the way it did to us.  

Our Top Fundraising Team is Sarah’s Army, captained by our Rookie of the Year and Top Individual Fundraiser, Corey H.! Together their 14 team members raised over $48,000 in their first year as a team. 

A fun fact about Sarah’s Army: Team members came from four states to participate in the 2022 New England 3-Day, and they have an “extended team” that’s participating in the San Diego 3-Day and people competing in the Chicago Marathon to help find the cures for breast cancer. 

Our Top Crew Fundraiser is Kristin S., who raised nearly $6,000 for the 2022 New England 3-Day and has raised almost $46,000 in her lifetime! Kristin has participated in 14 3-Day events and received a $300 donation from Bank of America towards her 2023 3-Day fundraising. 

A fun fact about Kristin: She has walked 9 years, all in Twin Cities, and this is her fifth year crewing (twice in San Diego, once in Seattle, with this being the second in Boston), plus she volunteered one year! All of her crewing has been at Pit Stop 4, where she has a pink megaphone that she likes to use to cheer everyone on . 

Our Small but Mighty Team is Walkers for Knockers! The 2022 New England 3-Day was their first, and in total they raised just over $40,000.  

A fun fact about Team Walkers for Knockers: They are all fitness freaks with hearts bigger than the states they’re from! 

Our Top Youth Corps Fundraisers are Grace and Dylan R., each raising $1,658! They’ve each participated in three 3-Days, with Grace raising $4,841 in her lifetime and Dylan raising $7,453 in his lifetime.  

Fun facts about Grace and Dylan: Grace loves to read and will be starting in a communications magnet this fall. She is an amazing friend, a volunteer camp counselor and swim instructor. Dylan loves skiing, baseball, and swimming. He loves to help younger kids, he serves as a swim instructor and swim team group leader and really cares for the kids. In turn they adore him and love to cheer him on too. 

Thank you so much to all walkers and crew who raised $2.7 million to find the cures for breast cancer at the 2022 New England 3-Day! 

2022 Chicago 3-Day Recap

After nine years away, the Susan G. Komen 3-Day returned to the Windy City! Though some things have changed, the Pink Bubble spirit was as alive as ever. Here are the highlights of each day of our journey. 

Day 1 

The excitement of the first day of the 3-Day is undeniable. Pink Bubble energy consumed the Marriott Marquis in downtown Chicago as we began our 60-mile journey with the Opening Ceremony. Chicago 3-Day host, Cati Diamond Stone, and emcee, Kimberly Reinika, welcomed our breast cancer survivors. Each survivor represented different milestones and walked down the middle of a sea of walkers. We heard from members of Susan G. Komen and Bank of America before being led down the Mohawk Flooring pink carpet to start out on the route.  

Heading out from McCormick Place, the first part of the route was beautiful walking along the Lakefront Trail, taking in all the views of Lake Michigan. We then jutted west into the city to walk along the Magnificent Mile. It was after lunch at Waveland Pacific Field where participants felt the community’s support as a local Walgreens handed out free stuff including t-shirts, pens, sparkling water and other goodies. But the excitement didn’t stop there!  

Next up was a fantastic photo-op: Wrigley Field! The atmosphere was incredible since there was a home game happening as we passed, with many Cubs fans walking along the streets and in surrounding restaurants and bars ? some of whom cheered on walkers as they entered the last half of their day. We made our way back towards downtown for the last pit stop at Maggie Daley Park.  

Ending the day back at the Marriott Marquis, walkers and crew gathered in the ballroom to relax in Bank of America’s massage chairs, be refreshed by Natura Bissés mists, and shop for 3-Day merchandise at the ShopKomen store. We ate dinner as the Friday night programming started, playing games like Junk in the Trunk and Cup Stack, and a few participants joined in Karaoke.  

Day 2 

As always, we began Day 2 with our Bank of America Breakfast of Champions, celebrating and thanking all of our top fundraisers from individuals to teams (stay tuned for a special blog post about all of these amazing participants)! We then headed out to the Chicago suburbs via bus to explore the different sights that Chicago has to offer! Starting in Oak Park, walkers were able see some of the beautiful and historic houses built by legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright! Passing by over a dozen homes, poses were struck and pictures were taken. 

Next, we ventured toward Dominican University where Pit Stop 2 was located. It was a warm day, but the big shady trees offered relief and a relaxing spot to refuel on snacks and electrolytes.  

Making our way through River Forest for lunch, we crossed through the halfway arch, celebrating completing 30 miles and dancing our hearts out to “Walking on Sunshine!”  

Leaving lunch, we headed into Forest Park, passing by more of Frank Lloyd Wright’s houses and the birthplace of Ernest Hemingway. The last mile of the day was our Memorial Mile, where we honor those who have lost their battle with breast cancer. It can be an emotional mile, but it also gives us strength to keep going, because it serves as an important reminder of why we walk. 

The buses returned walkers to the hotel, where mac and cheese was waiting along with the amenities on main street. We began our Honor Ceremony with stories from our Chicago Youth Corps, where each member told us why they commit to the 3-Day at such a young age, and what it means to them to be a part of the Pink Bubble. We heard from three participants who shared their own stories, and how the 3-Day has impacted themselves and their loved ones. Pink luminaria bags were distributed at each table for walkers and crew to write messages to those they walk for, and we lit our candles and placed them on our hotel windowsills. 

Day 3 

Exiting the Marriott Marquis to go out on the route for the last time, walkers started Day 3 by touring through South Loop, Chicago. This included walking through Millennium Park and seeing the iconic Cloud Gate sculpture, otherwise known as “The Bean.” Light drizzle and Pit Stop 1 followed shortly after, for the third but not final time, at Maggie Daley Park (but there were no complaints, as this was a beautiful site)!  

The photo ops did not stop there, as we walked over the Chicago River not once, but twice before lunch! After our final lunch together at The Noble Academy with views of the Chicago Skyline, we made our way to Oak Street Beach and down the Lakefront Walking Trail towards Navy Pier.  

Crossing over the Chicago River for the third and final time, we reached the final stretch, and walked through a path of cheering friends, family and other walkers and crew into our Finish Line Festival next to Soldier Field. The Chicago Youth Corps sang, cheered, high-fived and clapped for individual walkers and teams, taking photos to commemorate the end of this amazing 60-mile journey. 

Our Closing Ceremony started as soon as our last walker crossed the finish line with the route safety crew, raising our flag to indicate that all walkers had made it in safely. We raised our shoes for our survivors and thrivers (those living with breast cancer) and raised our commit flags for those we dedicated our 60 miles to. All in all, we had 1,200 walkers, 250 crew members, and countless donors who contributed to the $3.7 million raised for the Chicago 3-Day in the fight against breast cancer. 

We had an amazing weekend in Chicago after being away from this city for the last nine years. Our walkers, crew, volunteers and donors have made this event possible, and we will be returning to Chicago in 2023. Registration is now open at The3Day.org. We hope you’ll join us! 

2022 Chicago 3-Day Route Preview

The Susan G. Komen Chicago 3-Day is returning for the first time since 2013 and we couldn’t be more excited! We’re giving you some key sights you can expect to see each day on this spectacular route. Don’t forget to take pictures when you’re out walking this year and tag us on our social media platforms and use the hashtag #CHI3Day for a chance to be featured! 

The land of deep dish is hosting us at the wonderful Marriott Marquis, where participants will begin each day of the route, enjoy the offerings of the 3-Day Main Street, eat dinner and come together in the Pink Bubble. 

There’s always so much excitement on Day 1, and the Chicago 3-Day will be no different. After the Opening Ceremony, participants will start their 60-mile journey and make their way towards the iconic Chicago Riverwalk. This is a wonderful photo opportunity! Keep an eye out for a sight-seeing boat on the Chicago River because that’s one of our special Chicago scavenger hunt items! 

We then travel through the Magnificent Mile, an upscale section of downtown Chicago along Michigan Avenue, and finish the day off passing Wrigley Field! The Cubs are taking on the Rockies at home, so we are certain to see lots of Cubs fans! 

Before we dive into Day 2 details, there’s one important note to make: On this day, participants will take a fun bus ride to the starting point of the route, and at the end of the day’s route, will return to the Marriott Marquis on busses. This will allow us to see some beautiful parts of Chicagoland that we wouldn’t be able to get to on foot from the hotel.   

Day 2 will start with our Bank of America Breakfast of Champions, recognizing this year’s top fundraisers! After that short bus ride to the start of the route, walkers will tour the Chicago suburbs of Oak Park, River Forest and Forest Park. 

We’ll see many historic homes built by Frank Lloyd Wright, along with his studio — can you get a picture of each one? The historic scenery doesn’t stop there, however, as we also pass by Ernest Hemingway’s boyhood home and his birthplace museum! 

We will end Day 2 full of art and architecture as we see Oak Park’s iconic mini murals before taking a quick bus ride back to our host hotel for one more night of Main Street fun and relaxation, followed by dinner and our moving Honor Ceremony. 

On Day 3, get your kicks because we’re passing by the Route 66 begin and end signs! The final miles of our day will take us down the Lakefront Trail for some beautiful views, and travel towards Millennium Park. This is really where you’ll want to get your cameras out, for pictures at two of Chicago’s most famous public works of art: Cloud Gate (aka “The Bean”) and Crown Fountain! 

We’ll wind down our Chicago 3-Day journey at the home of Da Bears, Soldier Field. Though we won’t be kicking field goals on the turf, we can still soak up the spirit of this iconic stadium. Walkers can look forward to our finish line festival and Closing Ceremony here, before we all say goodbye and part ways after three amazing days in the Pink Bubble! 

Will you be joining us at the 2022 Susan G. Komen Chicago 3-Day? Let us know in the comments! Stay tuned for two more route previews in this blog series coming before the Dallas/Fort Worth and San Diego 3-Days.