Take Your Training Walks to the Next Level with a Head Turning Theme!

First things first, we see all of you training (thank you for posting all your fun training walk pics on our Facebook groups!), and we are so proud of you! Every step you take both at the 3-Day and leading up to the event is pivotal in the fight against breast cancer. Not only are 3-Day training walks important to prepare your body for 60, 40 or 20 miles, but they also serve as a sneak peek into the beloved Pink Bubble! As you may know, in addition to the incredible community, one of the best parts of the Pink Bubble is the head-turning outfits that walkers put together for the event. The boundaries of Pink Bubble fashion are pushed every year and we can’t wait to see what you put together for 2023. That said, let’s kick things up a notch and add some fun themes and costumes to your training walks as you prepare for the 3-Day and spread awareness. Be sure to train in the clothing and equipment you plan to use at the event so you can get a feel for what it will be like walking in it. Keep reading for some of our favorite themes to truly transform your 2023 training walks.

Think Pink:?If 3-Day attire could be described in one word, that word would be PINK! Gather as much pink as you can find and remember that there’s no such thing as overdoing it. We’re envisioning a head-to-toe Barbie dream moment.
Tie-Dye:?Whether you already have a masterpiece in your closet or want to have some fun making a brand-new pink psychedelic swirl, tie dye is a simple way to level up any outfit. Try out some new shapes or stick with the classic tie-dye design; the sky’s the limit.

Pick a Decade:?Maybe you have a shirt from the 80’s sitting in your closet, or you just have a special appreciation for the 1920s. Regardless of what decade speaks to you, go all out and transform yourself to what you imagine a walker of that time would wear.
Crazy Hair:?Regardless of trends, one thing is always in style at the 3-Day and that’s fun hair! Wigs, hair paint, glitter, hair clips, wacky hairdos, and more are a pivotal part of the Pink Bubble. Rock some out-of-the-box locks on your next training walk and you’re sure to pull focus throughout your community.

Sparkle Away: Catch the light and attention as you walk in the most sparkly outfit you’ve got! Sequins, glitter, metallics, you name it! Get your friends to join in on the fun and shine bright like a diamond on your next walk.
Go Team:?Put on your favorite sports jersey and rep the team you’re always rooting for. Maybe it’s a professional basketball player or your old soccer jersey. Either way, it’ll give you that extra power you’ve been looking for.
Holiday Cheer: Pick your favorite holiday, no matter the season, and go all out. From reindeer antlers to spooky socks, gather up your favorite holiday gear and spread joy around your community with each step. Stick to one holiday or combine a bunch to create the most festive outfit you’ve got!

Mismatched Mayhem: Put together an outfit that you wouldn’t normally wear. Combine the boldest patterns and colors in your closet to really make a statement as you strut in style. Go for plaid, neon, polka dots, chevron, and anything else you that can find; the more striking the better!
Beloved Bras:?A group of walkers wearing bras atop their clothing is bound to capture the spotlight. Whether fastened over your shirt, as a hat or however else you can think to fashion it, have fun with a bra-themed training walk and spark conversation wherever you wander.

With the 3-Day just around the corner, a themed training walk is a fantastic way to spread joy throughout your community. Whether you rock a pink wig or jingle all the way around town, the opportunities for a statement outfit are endless. Whatever theme you may choose, we know you’ll look great strutting in style. You may even encourage interactions with unsuspecting supporters. Each new curious passerby could become one of your new donors. Be sure to print out a bunch of fundraising and information cards (grab yours at The3Day.org/Cards) to hand out to people who ask about your amazing ensemble.

Do you have a go-to training walk theme or something you have been itching to try? Share it with us in the comments below.

PLEASE NOTE: THE HEALTH, SAFETY AND TRAINING INFORMATION PROVIDED TO YOU IN CONNECTION WITH YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THE 3-DAYIS NOT INTENDED TO REPLACE OR BE CONSTRUED AS MEDICAL ADVICE AND ANY SUCH INFORMATION IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR SEEKING MEDICAL ADVICE OR TREATMENT FROM YOUR MEDICAL PROVIDER. BEFORE STARTING ANY EXERCISE PROGRAM OR FOLLOWING ANY RECOMMENDATIONS, ADVICE OR OTHER INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING TRAINING FOR THE KOMEN 3-DAY OR ANY ATHLETIC EVENT, YOU SHOULD FIRST CONSULT A PHYSICIAN AND HAVE A PHYSICAL EXAMINATION.

July Pink Bubble Story of the Month — Emily W.

Year in and year out, the Pink Bubble takes over cities from coast to coast, forming a sea of pink wigs, bras, smiles, and hope. Everyone gathers with the same goal— to raise funds in the fight against breast cancer. Amid the army of pink comradery, however, are thousands of individuals with unique stories depicting why they decided to commit to the Susan G. Komen 3-Day. Today, we get to share with you the story of Emily W., a member of the Komen 3-Day Advisory Council who is taking on all five 3-Day walks this year Emily first learned about the 3-Day in 2017 while reading Nancy Brinker’s book Promise Me, which depicts the true story of Nancy’s commitment to her sister Susan G. Komen to lift the stigmatized silence that surrounded breast cancer. “I recall listening to a story about a mother and daughter walking in San Diego after the mother’s fight with breast cancer,” Emily commented. “I thought walking in honor of my mother-in-law Lori would be a great way to show my support for her survivorship.” With her motivation clear, Emily went on to walk her first 3-Day in Michigan that same year. She arrived as a solo walker but quickly met her current team at the Opening Ceremony, recalling that she “did not spend a moment alone the rest of the weekend!” From that moment on, Emily was a member of the Pink Bubble for the long haul. The next year, she walked with her new team, the BC Babes, in Michigan where her mother-in-law Lori and Lori’s daughter, Heather, walked by her side. In 2019, Emily walked again in Michigan with her best friend Rachelle, now a triple-negative breast cancer survivor! In 2021, Emily herself received a stage 3 breast cancer diagnosis. However, this only motivated her to push further in her advocacy and participate in 3-Day Nation that same year. She went on to receive 16 rounds of chemotherapy treatment, a double mastectomy, 33 radiation treatments, and two explant surgeries due to breast implant illness. In 2022, Emily continued walking, where she fiercely took on the 3-Day in both Chicago and San Diego, for a total of 120 miles completed as a breast cancer survivor.

As she awaits her final reconstructive surgery, Emily looks forward to walking in all five 3-Day events in 2023. “I didn’t know how to limit my passion for finding a cure, so I decided to take on the ultimate challenge,” she declared. Joining her will be her daughter Ava, a member of the Youth Corps in both Chicago and Dallas, as well as her friends and teammates, first-time walkers Rachel (San Diego) and Katie (Dallas), and two-time walkers Mary Beth (Dallas) and Kodi (Denver).

In addition to walking 300 miles across five cities this year, Emily serves as a member of the Advisory Council to ensure her voice is heard during important exchanges regarding the future of the 3-Day. As the needs of breast cancer patients change, she says it is crucial that survivors and advocates of breast cancer be on the forefront of these conversations. As a member of the Advisory Council, Emily attends virtual meetings each month to discuss 3-Day planning, fundraising challenges, and how we can all ensure the 3-Day is the best it can be.

When asked about the fundraising portion of the 3-Day, Emily emphasized the groundbreaking research being done every day by Susan G. Komen, and how each dollar raised contributes to life-changing clinical trials. She even shared a story of the time she met a man whose father’s lung cancer was treated by a trial drug funded by Susan G. Komen breast cancer research. For anyone who is interested in joining the 3-Day, Emily provided us with some words of encouragement and wisdom. “You will meet humans like no one else on earth. You will hear stories of grief and stories of victory. You will share your why and hear the why’s of others. And it’s okay if your why is, ‘I’m not sure why.’” She acknowledged that there is time away from work and family, that raising $2,300 can be a challenge, and that walking 60 miles is a lot, but that breast cancer is harder. “And if you’re not signing up because you are not sure you can walk 60 miles, sign up! It’s supposed to be a challenge.” Now is as good a time as any to get started!

Finally, Emily shared with us an insightful description of the Pink Bubble. “Are we a whole bunch of people dressed in pink dancing down the street? Heck yes! But we are also passionate, hardworking, far-walking, money-raising cancer crushers!” With her courage and tenacity, Emily truly embodies what it means to be a 3-Dayer. Whether you are like Emily in 2017, walking your first 3-Day just to do some good in the world, or if you’re a breast cancer survivor like Emily today, the Pink Bubble always welcomes you with open arms. And remember to say hi to Emily if you see her walking this year in New England, Denver, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, or San Diego!

See previous Pink Bubble Story of the Month blog posts here.

Summer Fundraising: 5 Ways to Incorporate Fundraising into Your Favorite Summer Activities

Summertime is all about fun in the sun and spending time with friends and family. With the 3-Day around the corner and the Pink Bubble ready to unite, you don’t have to choose between fundraising and enjoying the sunniest time of year. Keep reading for a few ways to incorporate fundraising into your favorite summer activities.

Fire up the BBQ

With grilling season in high gear, you and your supporters can flip some burgers for a good cause. Add a tip jar at your next BBQ to benefit you on your way to the 3-Day and ask your donors and family to do the same at their own gatherings. Want to kick it up a notch? Host a pie or hot dog eating contest and collect donations in contestants’ names. The winner can take home a prize and the donations go toward your fundraising efforts. Talk about a win-win!

Throw a Block Party

Turn your fundraising into the talk of the town by hosting a block party in your neighborhood. Whether you’re already best friends or you’ve never met, a block party is a great way to bring the whole community together to enjoy some summer fun. Send out a community invite asking everyone to contribute to the event with food, music, and activities and be sure to include a short blurb about your reason for walking the 3-Day. Encourage donations both in your invite and during the party so you can facilitate community bonding and fundraising at the same time!

Join a Farmer’s Market

Do you have a knack for gardening? What about a love for baking? Are you obsessed with crafting? Whatever you’re into making, you can contact your local farmer’s market to set up a booth and sell goods for a cause. Don’t have a green thumb or a creative streak? Connect with a local vendor and ask to volunteer your time in exchange for a tip jar or a portion of the proceeds to benefit your fundraising efforts.

Host a Pool Party

Pool days are one of the best parts of summer! Don’t have a pool in your backyard? Not a problem! Head over to your local public pool and ask if you can host a pool party with them to raise money for the 3-Day. Reach out to local vendors to donate food, drinks, and music, and invite everyone you can think of (within capacity, of course). Charge an entry fee to all attendees and accept additional donations at the door. Talk about the ultimate pool day!

Plan a Golf (or Mini Golf) Tournament

Team up with your favorite golf course to host 9 holes for hope. Share your story with the community, spread the word at country clubs, courses, and anywhere else you can think of. Charge an entry fee and announce a prize for the player with the best score. Step closer and closer to your fundraising goals, one swing at a time! All in all, whatever your favorite summer activity may be, your opportunities to fundraise are endless! Get creative and enjoy your summer. Happy fundraising!