We’d like to congratulate Kathy D. on being our 2022 New England 3-Day Milestone Award Winner! Kathy has participated in 31 3-Days over the last 17 years and has raised almost $150,000 to date. We asked Kathy about her 3-Day experience and asked some of her friends to provide a brief testimonial to her greatness.
What was your inspiration to do your first 3-Day?
Truthfully, I thought I might lose a few pounds—until I discovered it was the 3-Day buffet. I was also walking for the first person our family lost to breast cancer, my Aunt Carol, my godfather’s wife. She was in her 50’s.
What has brought you back to the 3-Day year after year?
Those 3-Day family members who continue raising HUGE amounts, year after year… it reminds me I’m not alone in my crusade to find the cures.
What is the secret to your 3-Day fundraising success?
I don’t believe I’m asking for money; I’m asking people to help us do something BIG—finding the cures for breast cancer, and eventually, all cancers. I believe in fundraising year-round, which helps bring in big totals each year.
What is your best advice to anyone walking the 3-Day?
Take your time, soak in every step, every mile. Try every snack and try to meet as many people as possible. Share your story, listen as others share theirs, and then come back next year with even bigger goals—more teammates, more prepared and help another new walker.
What’s a fun fact about you?
Tom Brady knows my first name. I also had the privilege of being friends (and driver for) Verne “Mini-Me” Troyer—yes, the guy from Austin Powers.
What are the most important lessons you’ve learned on the 3-Day?
I’ve learned to keep my eye on the prize — the CURES. It’s never been about one person for me, it’s always been about finding the cures so that nobody EVER has to lose a loved one again.
Testimonials From Friends
“Kathy is one of the most welcoming people that I have ever met! She offers her genuine friendship to everyone she comes in contact with! Kathy is literally everyone’s best buddy!” —Carol P.
“Kathy is the kindest person in the world. I’m proud she’s my captain! She’s so supportive of the team! She’s my ‘penguin sister’!” ? Kim K.
“Kathy DiRusso is the quintessential captain—part coach, part priest, part mental health counselor, part sister, and part cheerleader. She juggles these roles well. Inspires all to keep on raising money.”?—Dorie C.
“Kathy has been steadfast in her ability to not only fundraise but to inspire and energize others to join in the fight against breast cancer.?She will leave no stone unturned until the cures are found.?Her passion is unmatched, and her advocacy has touched the lives of more people than she will ever know. I am also proud to call her my friend.” —Leominster, MA Mayor Dean J. Mazzarella
Stay tuned throughout the rest of the 2022 Susan G. Komen 3-Day Series for our other Milestone Award Winners!
Over the last 15 years, Alison G. has participated in 25 3-Day events! With over $64,000 raised towards the fight against breast cancer, we honor Alison as the 2022 New England 3-Day Crew Impact Award winner. We asked Alison what the 3-Day means to her, and we also received testimonials from her friends about why she deserves this award.
What was your inspiration to do your first 3-Day??
The inspiration to do my first 3-Day came all the way back in 2005 when I was a sophomore in college and looking for a cause to dedicate some time toward and help fundraise. There was a presentation from a local rep at one of the sorority houses about the 3-Day, and I was hooked. I signed up for my first event that night and have signed up for 29 more since then!??
What has brought you back to the 3-Day year after year?
The community has brought me back. The 3-Day is my second family, and what an incredible group of men and women, all fighting to end breast cancer. The 3-Day is no small task, and people walk, fundraise and crew like it’s a part of them. And that’s what truly makes it special and unlike any other event.??
What is your favorite aspect of crewing the 3-Day?
I prefer being more of a behind-the-scenes person and thanking the walkers that have done all the training, prep and fundraising. I get to wear wacky costumes, and make people smile. That’s my main goal at the end of the day.??
What is your best advice to anyone crewing the 3-Day?
Be flexible! Things can always change. I’ve crewed in weather ranging from rain and sleet to temperatures ranging from 35-105. Everything may not always go as planned, but it will all work out how it’s supposed to, and you can still be proud of the hard work you’ve put in all weekend.??
What’s a fun fact about you?
My husband and I met at space camp…as adults (we’re nerds). We just got married last May and had a subtle space/star theme to our wedding.??
What are the most important lessons you’ve learned on the 3-Day?
The most important lessons I’ve learned on the 3-Day are flexibility and planning for any scenario. Always have the tools you need to pivot to make the best out of what you’ve got. It’s key in day-to-day life, too, and something I carry with me.?
Friend Testimonials
“I first met Alison when she was lunch captain for the Michigan 3-Day in 2015. The minute you meet her, you know that it’s going to be fun. Her infectious smile and laugh make everything—even unloading and setting up western shelters—more fun. But don’t let her fun attitude fool you, she is all about getting the job done! Alison makes sure walkers and crew alike have the best event possible. She makes being a captain look so easy, but I’ve been a captain and I know that it isn’t! She’s been doing this a very long time, but she still makes it all feel fresh and new. She really is all one could ask for to embody the 3-Day spirit.” —Amy N.
“I am so happy to hear that Allison is receiving the Crew Impact Award. I met Allison at my third 3-Day in Atlanta, 2009. It was wet and we were all crammed into this small convention center-like place in northwest Atlanta. I was the camp hydration captain, which meant that at night, after everyone went to bed, my team had to make sure all the sports drink and water jugs were full and all the porta potties had toilet paper. Aside from those porta potties, what left this incredible impression on me was the overwhelming passion and energy of this young woman I met on the event. She would be up and running around in the middle of the night while my team was doing our work prepping camp and getting all these things ready for the next day. This of course was Alison. She would flag me down and have me run her in our little ATV cart from one side of camp to the next or haul gear from here to there. I could not believe all the things she was doing and the energy she was doing it with. It inspired me. Alison inspired me. She quickly became one of my favorite people on that event and so many of the ones following that. I found myself wanting to be around the girl who did whatever was needed for the walkers and the 3-Day, whether it was helping to find lost luggage (not her job), serving in the dinner line (not her job), setting up a tent (not her job), loading luggage into a truck (not her job) or leading as a captain for whatever team needed her (often Camp Services). She was/is incredible. I do not know where that energy comes from, but it is also so much more than the energy. She has the 3-Day spirit. The do-whatever-it-takes (see all the not her job comments above), bust-my-ass, selfless, humble, putting-other-people-first, I don’t care what I need to do, but you are going to smile (someone should get a series of pictures of all the ridiculous costumes she has worn and come up with over the years), winners-find-a-way attitude that those dealing with cancer need to be around. Boy, this could go on for a while. In the end, and trying to sum it up, Alison is what the 3-Day is all about to me, and I cannot think of the 3-Day without thinking about Alison. If that is not impactful, then I am not sure what is.” ?Jake S.
“From the first moment I met Alison, I knew that not only was I in the presence of someone who lived and breathed the 3-Day, but also would be a lifelong friend. Her quiet dedication and commitment are infectious and I’m continually in awe of how she manages to blow away fundraising goals and motivate her supporters. In the over 10 years I’ve known her, we have gone through many of life’s ups and downs together, and I’m ever grateful for her—and grateful to the 3-Day for bringing us together.” ?Julie B.
We’re so thankful for all our wonderful Crew! Without the Crew’s hard work, the 3-Day would not be possible. Stay tuned throughout the rest of the 2022 3-Day Series to see who else wins the new Crew Impact Award!
