Understanding. Compassionate. Celebratory. Supportive. Empowering. Unbreakable. Uplifting. Caring. Inclusive. Resilient. Devoted. Sisterly.  

These key aspects define the Pink Bubble and characterize what makes the event so powerful. At the Susan G. Komen 3-Day®, collaboration and community are key to maintaining the safe space and driving our tremendous impact. Many of the values that are central to the Pink Bubble abound in sororities.  

As a matter of fact, the term “sorority” is derived from the Latin word “soror, ” meaning sister, and reflects the close bond and sense of sisterhood that members share. Sororities provide a supportive community for students, offering a network of like-minded individuals who uphold specific values, traditions, and philanthropic activities. To fulfill their philanthropic goal, many organizations host fundraisers throughout the academic year to raise money for various organizations and individuals in need of support. In fact, a few sororities support breast cancer research and treatment on a national level, meaning that all chapters nationwide are required to contribute to the cause each year.  

As you gear up for the 2024 3-Day®, you may be seeking out some innovative ways to meet your fundraising goals. Try connecting with a local sorority chapter to see if you can join forces in ending breast cancer together. We’ve gone ahead and outlined a step-by-step process to make a fruitful fundraising partnership become reality.  

Step 1: Research Local Chapters 

Start by identifying local colleges or universities and research which Greek organizations are present on campus. Find out which sorority’s values align with the mission of the 3-Day by researching their past philanthropic activities and community involvement to ensure a seamless fit. National organizations require each chapter to raise money, and there may be one inspired by your mission to fund breast cancer research, education, and treatment. 

Step 2: Identify Your Story and Theirs 

When fundraising for the 3-Day, it’s vital that you share your story. Maybe you’re a breast cancer survivor or living with metastatic breast cancer, lost a loved one to the disease, or are just passionate about the cause. Whatever your reason, compile a list of talking points that touch on why you’re participating in the 3-Day. If you were a member of one of these organizations in the past or know somebody who was… share that! If you weren’t, don’t sweat it.  

Gather a deep understanding of their values and emphasize how the partnership aligns with their commitment to community service. Make it clear that their involvement will be a meaningful contribution to a cause that affects millions of lives. 

Step 3: Send a Proposal 

Draft an email or send a direct message on social media that explains why you’re reaching out. You can typically find the national organization’s email at the bottom of the sorority website to connect you to your local chapter. Be sure to communicate that you’re interested in collaborating to raise money to end breast cancer. Define what the 3-Day is, share your story, identify your fundraising goals, and express how the sorority’s involvement can contribute to the mission. Explain how these funds will be used and highlight the importance of collective efforts in the battle against breast cancer. Wrap up your message by requesting a meeting with the sorority’s leadership or fundraising committee, to delve deeper into the logistics of your collaboration. 

Step 4: Set Up a Meeting 

Whether in person or virtually, this meeting is an opportunity to reshare your story, answer questions about the 3-Day, further define your fundraising goals, and build a personal connection that goes beyond the cause. When specifying your fundraising goals, follow our S.M.A.R.T. fundraising guide and worksheet to be as detailed as possible in your communication.  

During your meeting, highlight the benefits of joining forces. This could include helping the sorority achieve their annual philanthropy requirements, boosting community involvement, and the chance to demonstrate their commitment to social responsibility. Emphasize how the partnership aligns with their core values and make it clear that they can make a lasting impact on the lives of those affected by breast cancer. 

Step 5: Plan Collaborative Events 

Once the sorority expresses interest, collaborate on planning and organizing fundraising events. Whether it’s a 5k run, a pink dinner party, or a community awareness campaign, working together can enhance the reach and success of these initiatives. At the event, you may want to share your story with those in attendance and educate them about breast cancer statistics, the impact of the 3-Day, and how these funds will be used.

Visit the fundraising page for fundraising policies, tips on planning fundraising events and how to collect donations. 

Step 6: Promote the Partnership 

One of the advantages of partnering with a sorority is that it can substantially increase your outreach. Both you and the sorority will promote your fundraising goals to friends, family, and across campus. Since so many are affected by breast cancer, you could reach more people and potentially connect with others who have been affected by the disease. Maybe you’ll even recruit a first-time walker and earn $100 credit to your fundraising account!  

As with all other fundraising efforts, be sure to leverage various channels when promoting the partnership. Utilize social media, newsletters, and local news outlets to showcase the efforts between you and the next generation as you join forces to end breast cancer. Ensure that both the 3-Day and the sorority receive due recognition for their commitment to the cause. 

Step 7: Express Gratitude 

Throughout the fundraising process and after any successful events, express sincere gratitude to the sorority for their invaluable contributions. Consider public acknowledgments, thank-you letters, or presenting their letters at the event to show your appreciation for their support. Do whatever feels best for you to demonstrate just how impactful and appreciated their contributions are. Be sure to also send out emails, letters, and/or photos during and after the 3-Day to demonstrate the impact of their efforts. 

Ultimately, in the journey to end breast cancer, every contribution counts. By joining forces with a sorority, you not only expand your fundraising capabilities but also create a powerful network of individuals dedicated to making a positive impact. Individually, we can take steps, but together, we can take strides toward a future where breast cancer is but a distant memory.  

A passionate resident of Denver for the past six years, Coach Alex embarked on their first-ever Susan G. Komen 3-Day® in 2023. With a profound love for the outdoors, crafting, and a newfound interest in hand-building with clay, Alex thrives in mountainous landscapes and creative pursuits. The simple joy of sipping coffee at a local café with friends encapsulates the essence of their desire to live each moment to the fullest.  

In February 2023, Alex began the transformative journey as a Komen 3-Day Coach, marking a shift in their career path. “At the start of that year, I sat down to reflect on what I wanted out of life and realized that I had not been living in line with my values and purpose, and I needed a career change. Finding the 3-Day connected me to a cause that’s important to me and has allowed me to do work that inspires me.” In those winter and spring months of 2023, Alex got to know the Pink Bubble and was thrilled to be able to provide support for the Denver 3-Day walkers. Their excitement grew at the prospect of getting to see it all come together in August. 

When Alex awoke on the first morning of the 2023 Denver 3-Day, they were a mixed bag of emotions; excitement, nervousness, eagerness, and anticipation flooded through their body. The culmination of meticulous planning and the prospect of meeting participants in person was a surreal feeling. For Alex, the highlight of coaching is undoubtedly the opportunity to connect with the participants, in a community unlike any other. “Everyone has a beautiful story, and I am constantly impressed by the strength, kindness, and power of the people I meet [at the 3-Day]”, they shared. “There is something so magical about being surrounded by so many lovely people working together for the same cause.” These traits that persist throughout the 3-Day continually leave Alex in awe, inspiring them to be the best coach and person that they can be. 

For Alex, the most cherished memory of the event was cheering for walkers at the finish line. They saw so many familiar faces and adored watching each participant complete this enormous accomplishment. Witnessing the triumph of Michele, a first-time walker and recent survivor, encapsulated the meaning of the 3-Day for Alex; a reminder of why we walk. “As she crossed the finish line, she fell right into my arms. We shared the most special hug and many happy tears. I was SO proud of her and moved by the way she thanked me for helping her along this journey ? it was such a special reminder of all the magic the 3-Day brings.” 

Having completed their first 3-Day as a coach, Alex was overwhelmed with gratitude for the guidance of their team, especially Coach Staci and Coach Molly. Alex quickly learned to lean into confidence during moments that would otherwise be stressful. Thorough preparation, a supportive team, and remembering that everything would be okay became crucial in overcoming doubts. With that, Alex saw parallels between coaching and walking, inspiring them to switch roles and participate in the Chicago 3-Day as a 1-Day Walker alongside their mom.  

Alex cherished the miles spent walking beside their mother as they laughed, cried, and shared in enjoying string cheese at every pit stop. Alex noticed many unique adversities and challenges that walkers face while on the route. “One thing I learned for sure is that you cannot underestimate the power of training,” they shared. They learned first-hand of the physical undertaking that comes along with walking the 3-Day and feel more prepared than ever to better advise participants in their journey leading up to the event. “Bonus points ? I can also tell them how fun it is to get in a sweep van if the miles get too tough!” 

For those embarking on their very first 3-Day journey, whether it be as a 1, 2, or 3-Day walker, Alex encourages leaning into the experience. Acknowledge the challenges, celebrate the accomplishments, and embrace the moments of vulnerability throughout the journey. The rewards are immeasurable. To anyone contemplating joining the 3-Day, Alex reassures you that thousands have been exactly where you are now, questioning if they could do it… and they did. Emphasizing inner strength and the potential for joy in every moment, Alex invites potential participants to reach out with any concerns, as coaches like Alex are here to empower and guide you. 

Looking forward to the 2024 3-Day, Alex is excited to approach the season with an even better understanding of the event. They express deep gratitude for the opportunity to be part of the 3-Day family and eagerly anticipate meeting participants on the route in 2024. If you’re new to the 3-Day or are thinking about walking in 2024, reach out to Alex at denvercoaches@the3day.org to hear more about their experience or ask any questions you may have. The journey continues, and the Pink Bubble awaits with open arms. 

60 years after his famous speech from The March on Washington, the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. echo through the caverns of society as inequality resonates with a profound depth amongst Black people in America. This contributes to ongoing inequalities in education, housing, employment, and even healthcare. In fact, Black women experience higher rates of death from breast cancer due to a combination of factors, including barriers to early diagnosis and high-quality treatment, the aggressive nature of certain breast cancers diagnosed more often in Black women, lack of high-quality care, genetics, discrimination and systemic racism.  

Though progress has been made since 1963, racial injustice in healthcare is prominent and the Black community is continually impacted. Though the situation may seem bleak, there is hope that we can work towards equity in healthcare and provide ample treatment to save the lives of all individuals, regardless of skin color. “With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.” 

Determined to make a change, Susan G. Komen® explored 10 metropolitan areas to understand the unique drivers of disparities in each community. The reports identified several trends that exist to varying degrees in each area, launching the Health Equity Revolution program, Stand For H.E.R, which you can learn more about here. This is a focused initiative to decrease breast cancer disparities in the Black community by 25% beginning in the U.S. metropolitan areas where inequities are greatest. You can read a summary of their findings and see what metropolitan areas are most affected here.  

The funds you raise for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® contribute to providing genetic counseling and testing, financial assistance, screening and diagnostic services, and empowering Black women and men to advocate for themselves.  

We walk together, for each other. We walk because we must. We walk because “our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” ?Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.   

“We refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt… We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice.”  

Now is the time to end breast cancer. For everyone.