First-Time Walker, Kristi R. Raises Awareness and Finds Support Through the San Diego 3-Day! 

Meet Kristi R., a new member of the Pink Bubble who will be participating in her first Susan G. Komen 3-Day walk in San Diego this fall! For Kristi, this is not simply 60 miles, but a journey of strength, courage, and hope. Read on as Kristi shares her story, her passion for this cause, and why she thinks everyone should sign up for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day. 

What is your connection to breast cancer? 

I was diagnosed with stage four metastatic breast cancer in December 2021. It had spread to my lymph nodes and bones (hip, spine, collarbone, and sternum). I immediately underwent 12 rounds of chemotherapy. In the fall of 2022, they found my cancer had spread to my brain. I underwent radiation last month to target those tumors (four of them) in my brain. I am currently on chemotherapy pills that pass through the blood-brain barrier to target the brain tumors and help prevent new ones from forming, and I also have infusion treatments every three weeks to target the cancer in my bones.  

When did you first get involved in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day? 

I had seen posts on Facebook but wasn’t sure how or if I could join. Once I found out my cancer had spread to my brain, I immediately felt like I needed a support group. So, at the beginning of the year, I went ahead and accepted the challenge to be a solo first-time walker for the San Diego 3-Day, not knowing how I was going to raise the money to attend! 
 

Tell us your story! 

I’m 39 years old and a single mom to a 9-year-old boy named Jaxon. I live in the Pacific Northwest (Bend, Oregon) and love the outdoors! My son and I paddleboard and kayak in the summer and ski and sled in the winter.  

I was raised in Central California and joined the United States Coast Guard right out of high school. I signed up for a 4-year term and was stationed on a ship for my first two years. It was an exhilarating experience for a young 19-year-old girl. After the military, I got my esthetician license and began my career in skin and beauty. I have opened, managed and consulted many resorts and medical spas in California, South Carolina and Oregon. 

My cancer diagnosis came as a huge surprise! I was an avid runner and participated in many holistic treatments (due to my connection with the spa industry) and originally thought I had pulled a muscle in my back when I first noticed something was wrong. My primary care physician did an exam and prescribed me antibiotics and DID NOT schedule any type of scan. I luckily was working at a medical spa at the time, where I was around nurses and doctors who immediately connected me with a physician who did an exam, biopsy, and a scan all within a five-day period, then BOOM I was diagnosed.  

It is unbelievably important to be your own advocate! Push the limits, ask the questions, get multiple opinions and keep your spirits high. 
 

Why do you think raising money for this cause is important? 

It’s very important to raise money for this cause because more and more younger people are getting diagnosed with breast cancer and we (they) aren’t getting diagnosed early enough. Awareness, early scans and “what to look out for” are immensely important to get out to the public. This cause can do that!  
 

Why are you so passionate about wanting to put an end to breast cancer? 

Both of my grandmothers had breast cancer, one passed from it, the other fought it, then passed from colon cancer. This disease is terrible. No one should have to be put through this. I have a 9-year-old son and want him to never have to worry about being diagnosed (men can get breast cancer too), nor do I want him to have a future family member who gets diagnosed.  
 

What would you say to someone who is on the fence about registering to walk or crew? 

Sign up! I feel completely taken care of with the Pink Bubble. My coach has connected with me, I’ve attended Zoom meetings and met other walkers, and the wonderful social support with fundraising which has helped me tremendously. It was scary at first, to know I’m walking “alone.” However, I will not be alone. I will be with others who are going through the same experience as I am or have a family member/friend who is fighting cancer and can relate. It’s exciting to be involved in such a big event for a wonderful cause! November can’t come fast enough.  

Anything else you’d like to add? 

I have spoken publicly on two occasions to bring awareness and fundraising for the American Cancer Society. I feel very blessed to have been asked to share my story. I hope to work more closely with Susan G. Komen and bring awareness for this cause, too! 

My high spirits to continue to fight my cancer comes from my 9-year-old son. He is my rock, my love, and my biggest supporter. I must fight this because we both have so much more life to live and experiences to be had! I’m sure he’ll be at the finish line, welcoming me with the biggest smile!

The Soundtrack of Your 3-Day Training Walks 

Over the past couple of years, we’ve brought you many different tips and tricks for your 3-Day training. Today, we’re jamming out to some of the great tunes our Pink Bubble listens to while training! Good luck and happy walking!

Maybe you’re tired of your walking playlist, need some refreshing tunes, or looking for your new favorite song. Here are some great updates to add to your music library — including some suggestions from your 3-Day coaches! 

Jump into 2023 Training!  

3-Day Crew Summer Tunes  

Music Monday: Top 3-Day Training Songs 

3-Day Coaches’ Favorite Training Tunes and 3-Day Prep 

Need more inspiration as you head out to get those steps in? Our 3-Day blog has a ton of great training walk content! From themed walks to seasonal training tips, we’ve got all the information you need!  

What do you listen to on your training walks? Do you have any training walk tips you’d like to share? Let us know in the comments so we can share them with the rest of the Pink Bubble! 

Let’s Get it Started! Your Ultimate Fundraising Guide to the Susan G. Komen 3-Day 

Welcome to our new fundraising how-to blog series! As we get closer to event day, we’re here to bring you all the tips and tricks you need to hit your fundraising goals. These monthly posts will cover everything from goal-setting to creative asks, but May is kicking off with the most essential subject of all: how to start. 

Step #1: Register!  

So, you’ve taken the big first step of any Susan G. Komen 3-Day event: registering. Whether this is your fiftieth event or you’re gearing yourself up for the first-ever, you’ve made an extraordinary commitment in entering the Pink Bubble and starting the journey. (That alone deserves a round of applause!) There are countless out of the box ideas to get your fundraising soaring, but before you find yourself among the clouds, you’ll have to get off the ground first. But where do you begin? Although hitting your minimum fundraising requirement may seem like a daunting task, as the saying goes, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” 

Step #2: Get Personal with your Participant Center 

Personalize your fundraising page in your Participant Center, as this is the platform that you’ll use to not only raise money, but also share your story. Upload your photo or record a video, customize your URL, take some time to sit and write why the 3-Day matters to you, and get ready to relay it to the world. For some, vulnerability is a challenge. Putting yourself out there means being open and honest about how breast cancer has impacted your life. You yourself might be a survivor, currently in the fight, or walking in honor/memory of someone close to you. Regardless, your experience is exactly what will help people understand what motivates you to walk. Whether implemented in a Facebook fundraiser, your email signature, or even decorating your car, this page will serve as your primary calling card, so make sure it’s shipshape. 

Step #3: Walk the Walk and Make Your Own Donation 

Before you get to the potential donors in your circle, do yourself a favor and be your very own inaugural patron. Whether it’s $500 or $5, why not be the first individual to contribute to your own efforts?  

Step #4: Talk the Talk and Secure Your Second Donation  

After that, make a personal commitment to secure another donation within 24 hours. Momentum is the name of the game, so finding ways to keep the ball rolling, and the funds incoming, is key. Between parents and siblings, friends and coworkers, there are probably plenty of names right on the tip of your tongue, and those should be some of the first people you solicit. It could be face-to-face, by text, phone, email, or social media, but choose one of the many options at your disposal to connect with those around you. 

Getting the ball rolling might be difficult at first, but never forget that you’re not alone! Between your coach and the Facebook groups, there’s always a community standing at the ready to offer sparks of inspiration. Once you’re up and running, you’ll be well on your way to hitting your target and contributing to our shared vision: a world without breast cancer. Join us in June as we spotlight our next topic, and please leave a comment with any of your own tips or tricks!