Amidst the daily grind and rhythm of life, sometimes you come across a remarkable individual — someone like breast cancer survivor and resilient business owner, Jennie S. Fueled by her survivorship, in 2023 Jennie embarked on her very first 3-Day journey which helped redefine her already potent strength. She walked 60 miles through the streets of San Diego to contribute to a cause close to her heart and make an impact on the community around her. Her story begins like many others, not in grandiosity, but in the mundane routines of life. In November of 2018, her world was spun on its head when a routine mammogram revealed the presence of breast cancer. At just 41 years old, it was a wakeup call, a moment of realization that life can take unexpected turns, and in the face of adversity, we find our true strength.  

Five years after her initial diagnosis, Jennie was scrolling through social media when she discovered the Susan G. Komen 3-Day. At first, the idea of walking 60 miles seemed implausible, but on her birthday, she decided to take the plunge and sign up for the San Diego 3-Day taking place in November. The Komen 3-Day became more than just a fundraiser for her; it was a goal that fueled her determination to overcome the physical and emotional challenges of the past. Not only was she raising money for a cause close to her heart, but Jennie was also able to redefine what a previously daunting month meant to her. “[In past years,] November has been synonymous with anxiety, worry, surgery, chemo, [and] hospitals,” she shared. “This [past] year, I have replaced all of that with the memory of this huge accomplishment, friends who joined me and pushed themselves, and my community of donors who overwhelmed me with their generosity.” 

For this survivor, fundraising was more than just collecting donations. It was about sharing her story, connecting with her community, and creating a network of support. Immediately after registering, Jennie sent a letter/email to all of her friends explaining her 3-Day endeavor and why it’s important to her. The declaration of her truth is a testament to the power of telling your story, because she got so much more than a donation in return. “In an age where everyone is busy and bombarded digitally, I really felt connected to the donations because people not only gave me their money, they told me their stories too,” she explained.  

The inspiring stories didn’t end when she stepped into the Pink Bubble. The community embraced her with inspiration and often humor, an adventure unlike any other. It was a world where survivors and supporters alike came together to reclaim their strength and accept everyone exactly as they are. While walking, she felt like every one of her donors was right there walking beside her for all 60 miles. To those contemplating joining the 3-Day, her message is clear — it is an unparalleled experience, worth every blister and sore muscle. 

The Pink Bubble, as she describes it further, is not just a moment in time but a source of enduring inspiration that she often reflects on her personal life and in business. “I was sad to enter back into the real world after the walk was over”, she shared. “But I try to carry a little bit of the Pink Bubble with me wherever I go now.”  

Jennie even brings the Pink Bubble spirit to her female-run marketing firm of which she is the founder and CEO. To her, leading the firm is more than just a professional endeavor, but a testament to the power and resilience of women. Through her breast cancer and 3-Day journey, she has reshaped her perspective on leadership, empathy, time management, and commitment to the health and well-being of her team at work. Having been affected by such a disease, she transparently shared, “My business assets are my people, and they deserve to have their health insurance taken care of fully.” 

In closing, she extends her heartfelt thanks to everyone involved with the Pink Bubble. It’s not just a fundraiser; it’s an ethos and execution that she feels honored to have been a part of — an orbit of compassion and humanity that extends far beyond the miles walked.  

The confetti have flown, and we’ve officially rang in the 2024 New Year! The start of a new year is often a thrilling time full of hope, wonder, and setting intentions for the twelve months that lie ahead. With the excitement of a new chapter, it is easy to compile a list of goals, but the hardest part is staying on track. Some common New Year’s resolutions include eating healthier, saving money, or spending more time with the people you love. Regardless of what your goals are for 2024, the best way to stay on track is to have a plan… a S.M.A.R.T. plan! 

S.M.A.R.T. goal setting stands for: 

Specific: What outcome would you like? 

Measurable: How will you know when you’ve reached it? 

Achievable: On a scale from 1–10, how confident are you that you will achieve it? 

Relevant: How meaningful is this goal to you, on a scale from 1–10? 

Time-Bound: When do you intend to reach your chosen endpoint? 

Though the 2024 Susan G Komen 3-Day may feel far away, it’s important to begin your goalsetting sooner rather than later to ensure a smooth process free from any stress when the event approaches. We’ve gone ahead and prepared a step-by-step plan for achieving your 3-Day fundraising goals this year, the S.M.A.R.T. way. 

Specific 

Step one in your fundraising journey is to determine your goals and lay out your plan. Do you aim to go beyond the fundraising minimum? Do you want to earn the flight reward? Are you shooting to be a top fundraiser? Is there a specific number that has personal meaning for you? Whatever your goal is, it’s crucial to be specific about your desired outcome. Your goal should be clearly articulated so that you have a detailed vision of where you intend to land. 

Example: I’m raising $5,000 for the San Diego 3-Day on November 15, 2024.  

Measurable  

To reach the destination, you need to have a quantifiable objective so that you can track your progress. In this case, you should determine the exact number that you intend to fundraise in terms of the dollar amount. Break it down a little bit further and determine how often you’ll be hosting fundraisers and your goal for each event.  

Example: I will raise $5,000 and host at least one fundraiser a month until the event. I will also send five emails each month and post on social media once a week.  

Achievable 

When goalsetting at any capacity, it’s important to choose something challenging yet achievable. Setting lofty goals is good, but you may want to break them down into smaller, bite-sized chunks to seem less daunting. Think about how long until the event and calculate how much money you’ll need to raise each week or month, and the actions you’ll take to get there. 

Example: Raising $5,000 seems like a lot, but I have ten months to raise the funds, so I will raise $500 each month. I love baking cookies so I will host bake sales at local events which I will advertise on social media. 

Relevant 

As you fundraise, it’s important to understand why you want to raise this exact dollar amount. There are many reasons as to why you may want to raise a certain amount, including achieving your fundraising minimum, becoming a top fundraiser, and of course providing funds for research or treatment initiatives. In 2023, survivor Emily W. walked all 3-Day events in all five cities and had a goal of raising $5,000 for each walk. She chose this dollar amount because that is how much it costs to treat two patients for a week and shared this with her potential donors. Knowing why she had her eye set on a specific goal helped her achieve it! 

Example: This cause is very close to my heart because I am a breast cancer survivor and I want to help provide treatment for others who may otherwise not be able to afford it. 

Time-Bound 

It’s crucial to set a timeline both for the fundraising journey and when you intend to reach your goals. Creating a timeline helps keep you on track to accomplishing exactly what you set out to achieve.  

Example: I will achieve this goal by November 15, 2024, for the San Diego 3-Day.  

After gathering all of this information for yourself, you can then write down your concise S.M.A.R.T. goal. 

Example: I will raise $5,000 by November 15, 2024 for the San Diego 3-Day because this is the amount it costs to treat two patients for a week. In the ten months leading up, I will raise $500/month by hosting one bake sale each month at various events which I will promote by word of mouth, on social media, and with local businesses.  

To set your own S.M.A.R.T. fundraising goals, view this worksheet here.