Monthly Archives: June 2024

2023 & 2024 Lifetime Commitment Circle

We’d like to congratulate twenty-eight participants of the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® who reached a triumphant milestone in 2023 and 2024 by raising a lifetime total of $100,000, securing them a spot in the Lifetime Commitment Circle. This distinction honors those who have gone above and beyond their fundraising goals, raising $100,000 individually or $1 million as a team. Though we celebrate and thank everyone who fundraises any amount for the Komen 3-Day, these individuals are catapulting breast cancer research, patient care, and advocacy to another level by showing up year after year to raise an impressive amount of money for the breast cancer cause. We’d like to take this time to celebrate the following participants: 

Patricia D., Women on a Mission 

“I first became a 3-Day® walker in 2004 to help process my aunt’s traumatic death from breast cancer. It then became clear to me that I would continue to lose coworkers, friends, and family to breast cancer, as well as witness the pain and anxiety of survivors as they experience treatment and worry about their survival. I continue to walk because the pain, anxiety, and death have not ended. I hope to outlive the need to continue to walk!” 

Kriste R., K24Kure 

“I come from a family with the BRCA2 gene. My oldest sister was diagnosed five months before I was and before she passed away; I saw firsthand what Komen dollars did for her. They provided her with grants, prosthetic breasts, wigs and medical treatment. I pray that the dollars we raise will find the cures. My team, K24Kure, has been around for about ten years now and the money we raise will give those around us a future without breast cancer. Kennita K. and I walk for those that can’t and those who are no longer with us. We walk so that our children’s children will no longer be afraid of the words ?breast cancer.’ I know one day we will live a life without breast cancer. This achievement of becoming a member of the Lifetime Commitment Circle means that the dollars I raised went to helping someone just like my sister and that makes me feel awesome!” 

John S., Miles for Martha 

“The money raised is a testament of my love for my late wife Martha, and the hope that others can live the life they were expected to. The 3-Day gave me my life back, and for that I am eternally grateful.” 

Jennifer D. 

“Raising over $100,000 and being a part of the Susan G. Komen 3-Day Lifetime Commitment Circle means a great deal to me. This accomplishment has allowed me to make a positive impact on others’ lives through my fundraising and commitment to the fight against breast cancer. Walking the 3-Day eleven times has required training, determination and extensive effort. Ultimately, my participation gave me the chance to share a subject I am passionate about, and to promote awareness about the disease, its impact on families and the organization’s many good works. I started walking for the cures in 2013 after my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. Thankfully, my mom is now a breast cancer survivor, and I am blessed to still have her in my life. I hope my accomplishment will inspire others to work hard and achieve their goals. I am so blessed and amazed by the support of my friends and family who helped me reach this milestone.” 

Alyssa S.  

“It is a joy to join the Lifetime Commitment Circle! When I started walking, I assumed it would be a one-time thing; I have never been more grateful to be wrong. The 3-Day has become a part of me, not just something I do.” 

Laurene M., Girls for the Goal 

“It took me 13 years to raise over $100K. I am proud to have raised this money and I believe that Komen puts the funds to good use. However, I am prouder of the fact that I annually help keep breast health ?on the radar’ of family, friends, neighbors, community members, etc. Participants at the 3-Day have taught me how important early detection is, so I keep spreading the word and walking… and the money follows.” 

Jennifer S., Pink Soles in Motion 

“The thing that strikes me is wow, isn’t that awesome? It’s a whole lot of money when I think about it, and for such important work. I would never have dreamed it would be possible to raise that much money. I guess it was a mix of thrill, gratitude and humility because this is not solely my accomplishment. I am keenly aware of the kindness, generosity and support of so many. I’ve received donations from friends, family, and sometimes complete strangers. I’m grateful for my team, Pink Soles in Motion, and this amazing 3-Day community that does crazy things like buy raffle tickets and Pampered Chef products. Having reached this milestone, I’m now energized thinking about how much more I can raise before I hang up my shoes. I love this community. I’m so proud to be able to contribute and I’m excited to see what else we can do together.” 

Sandy K., PA Pink Peeps 

“Every dollar pledged and matched by friends and family means we get closer to finding the cures, someone receives the care and services they require, and hope continues for a person newly diagnosed. Until we find the cures, I’ll keep pinning ribbons, fundraising, and lacing up my sneakers for the Komen 3-Day.” 

Elizabeth S., PediCure 

“The 3-Day promises a world without breast cancer and we are all committed to transforming that to reality. Raising $100,000 was no small feat; it was 20 years and over 25 walks, not one or two huge fundraising years. It was meaningful receiving personal donations from my community each year in honor of their loved ones who deserve(d) a lifetime. Life changes a lot in 20 years, and it wasn’t always easy to show up, but I was committed, and that commitment started to change my life. I always joke each year that the 3-Day is the longest commitment in my life! After 20 years, the 3-Day and its tenets are woven into my being! I’m always saying ?everyone deserves a lifetime’ and I’m just grateful the 3-Day gives me the ability to honor that commitment to transform these promises to reality.” 

Carolyn P., Feet to Beat Breast Cancer 

“I am incredibly honored to be part of the 3-Day Lifetime Commitment Circle! I am grateful to all the Feet to Beat Breast Cancer supporters who have helped me reach this milestone, and whose generosity fuels my passion. Every stride, one step closer to the cures!” 

Laura P. 

“Joining the Lifetime Commitment Circle is an incredible honor. I know of several walkers in the Circle and have so much respect for the dedication to ending breast cancer and Komen. I look forward to participating for many more years!”

Additional new members include Hands Up For Hooters, Stephen Y. with Team Happy Feet, Maureen M. with Wild Women Walking for a Cure, Elizabeth M. with Team Girlapalooza, Gary B., Robin E. with Breastest Friends, Janet Stevens with White Butterflies, Alison H. with AwareWolves, Randy G. with In the Pink, Kathleen B. with Team Girlapalooza, Helen H. with Cliff’s Crew, Tammy Z. with C-Side Sisters, Suzanne G., Penny R. with Pink Tahoe Ladies, Carol B. , Lynn F. with Helen’s Angels, and Betty H. with Boobster and Friends. 

Furthermore, seven participants who were previously inaugurated into the Lifetime Commitment Circle at the “Courage” level for raising $100,000 now reached the “Impact” level with a lifetime $250,000 raised, an accomplishment requiring celebration. 

Lucy M. 

“Like they say, ’it takes a village.’ My success as a fundraiser is owed to a big group of generous friends and a wine called Lucy Rose. I’ve raised over half of this money but the Pisoni family who make the wine have donated over $100k. The 3-Day is like going home — so many familiar faces and stories of hope. Being a top fundraiser is my proudest accomplishment.” 

Betsy S., Ta-Ta’s from KC 

“While I am honored to be a part of the 3-Day Lifetime Commitment Circle, the cause is what is important to me, not individual recognition. I so treasure the sisterhood with each member of my Ta-Ta’s from KC team and our shared emotional journey over the past 18 years. Also, I deeply appreciate the love, support, and donations from my family and friends that helped us reach this milestone. I long for the day when there are cures for everyone. It is toward that goal that I continue to walk.” 

Riley W., Faith Girlz 

“I am SO BEYOND honored and proud to have reached this milestone with Komen! As amazing as this amount is, I am all too aware we need so much more to reach our goal of putting an end to breast cancer for good. Until then, I’ll keep my promise to my sister Kathi and will continue to walk as many miles as it takes until breast cancer is written in our history books.” 

Jim H., Coconutter Strutters   

“I have been very blessed with some amazing supporters since the beginning, with the more recent years including some opportunities to receive matching gifts. Since 2011, when I had to raise $32,200 to walk in all 14 events, I have felt that I should not limit my goals to those that are required to walk in the number of walks I am registered for, but to set a higher goal to push my limits so that we can better help those affected by breast cancer.” 

Three other participants welcomed into the Impact level include Gemma G., Rachel B. with Bouncin’ Buckeyes, and Stephanie C. with Tulips for TaTas. 

Susan G. Komen® was founded on a promise from one sister to another to do everything in her power to bring an end to breast cancer. The commitment you all show when you go above and beyond your fundraising goals to reach these incredible milestones is recognized by induction into the Lifetime Commitment Circle. We congratulate and thank each of you for supporting Komen’s vision of a world without breast cancer. For more information on the Lifetime Commitment Circle and the Commitment Club, click here. 

Walk with Pride at the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® 

Though the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® bleeds pink, we celebrate all colors of the rainbow! Inclusivity is at the core of the Pink Bubble because breast cancer doesn’t discriminate against race, ethnicity, sexuality, or status. This Pride Month, we strive to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community as well as highlight the discrepancies in health outcomes that individuals may face regarding breast cancer. 

While breast cancer isn’t a female-only disease, cisgendered lesbians and bisexual women tend to have an increased risk of breast cancer compared to cisgendered heterosexual women. This is not due to their sexual orientation, rather, studies show the increased risk of breast cancer is linked to risk factors that tend to be more common in lesbians such as never having children or having them later in life, obesity and alcohol use. Additionally, some lesbian and bisexual women may not get regular mammograms due to lack of health insurance, perceived low risk of breast cancer, past discrimination or insensitivity from health care providers, and having trouble finding a health care provider. If you are part of the LGBTQIA+ community, one step you can take is to find a health care provider who is sensitive to your needs. You can get a referral from a trusted friend or turn to the National LGBT Cancer Network, which has a directory of LGBT-welcoming cancer screening centers that may be helpful. 

Unfortunately, data on screening mammography in transgender people and nonbinary people is limited. One small study compared breast cancer rates among transgender people who had hormone treatments, with or without surgery as part of their transition, to breast cancer rates in the general population. These early findings suggested that transmasculine people (female to male) had a much lower risk of breast cancer than cis-gendered women, but a higher risk than cis-gendered men. On the other hand, transfeminine people (male to female) had a much lower risk of breast cancer than cis-gendered women, but a higher risk than cis-gendered men. With little research having been conducted, there’s still much to learn about the risk of breast cancer in transgender people and we’re eager to discover more data. If you’re transgender, please talk with your health care provider about your risk of breast cancer.