How the Youth Corps Led Kim C. to a Career in Ministry

Kim and Jennifer C. at the Komen 3-Day with angel wings on their headbands.

For many participants, the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® is more than just a walk—it’s the start of something bigger. For Kim C., it was the beginning of a lifelong journey dedicated to service.

“I love working with youth and watching them grow through life,” Kim said. “And a big part of that is because of where I started.”

Kim’s 3-Day story began in 2012, when she joined the Youth Corps at the age of 12. The Youth Corps is a special group of young volunteers, ages 10 to 16, who support walkers during the 3-Day by offering a helping hand, cheering them on and lifting their spirits every step of the way.

Kim first learned about the Youth Corps from her mother, Jennifer, who attended an informational meeting for the Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day and thought the program could be a great opportunity for her daughter.

Kim at the age of 12 with her mom in her Youth Corps sweater. “She was very shy and unsure of herself at that time,” Jennifer recalled. “But when she started on the Youth Corps, I watched her transformation begin right away.”

Kim volunteered for three years with the Youth Corps, and it became a defining part of her teenage years.

“We would go up to the walkers and ask if we could walk with them for a minute,” Kim said. “It was always mid-day, right before lunch. We got to hear their stories and connect with them, and we would encourage them to keep going because at that time of the day they’d usually be exhausted.”

Kim says those meaningful conversations left a last impression on her, not just because of what she gave but also because of what she received.

“There is something really powerful about getting outside of your own lived experiences and talking with people who’ve been through different struggles,” she said. “That’s a really formational part of life.”

Kim and her mom, Jennifer, at the 3-Day in pink hats.

Now 25, Kim has been involved in the 3-Day for more than half her life. In that time, she supported countless walkers and raised over $38,000 to help end breast cancer.

Today, Kim has dedicated her life to supporting young people. She recently earned a Master of Arts in ministry from Southern Methodist University, graduating summa cum laude. Today, she works full-time as a youth ministry associate at a Texas church, leading mission trips where youth repair houses and serve at food banks.

“For the past 13 years, I have watched Kim blossom from being a Youth Corps member to a 3-Day walker and now as a Youth Corps leader,” Jennifer said. “With each event she participates in, she grows stronger, more confident and realizes how much she enjoys helping people.”

Kim and Jennifer’s dedication to the 3-Day is also deeply personal. Kim was named after her mother’s best friend, lovingly known as, “Big Kim,” who was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 39 and died when Kim was just 5 months old.

“Breast cancer has always been close to home for us, and it always will,” Jennifer added.

This fall, Jennifer will walk in the San Diego 3-Day, while Kim will be leading the Youth Corps in Dallas/Fort Worth. They said they look forward to continuing a shared 3-Day journey they began together more than a decade ago.

Kim and her mom, Jennifer, at the 3-Day holding hands wearing angel wings.

Veteran-Approved Camping Tips for the San Diego 3-Day

Pink tints near the bay at the San Diego 3-Day.

Camping along Crown Point Shores at the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® is part of the Pink Bubble magic. It’s where stories are shared, friendships are forged and your incredible body finally gets a well-deserved break. The pink tents lining the shore are quite the sight, and after walking up to 20 miles each day, being well prepared can make all the difference.

To help make camp life a little more comfortable, we gathered advice from some 3-Day veterans who’ve camped here before. Here’s what they recommend:

Headlamp: Flashlights are helpful, but when you’re navigating your way to the restroom in the middle of the night, juggling a flashlight and toilet paper is no fun. Bring a headlamp to keep your hands free!
Yoga mat or air mattress: While some veterans prefer a yoga mat to sleep on because it’s simple, lightweight and easy to roll up, others prefer a thin air mattress for a bit more cushion after a long day on your feet. Blanche H. says, “If you bring a battery-operated pump, travel with the batteries separately. They wear out before you use them. I learned the hard way.”?
Tarps: San Diego nights along the bay can bring damp grass and chilly air. Place a tarp or plastic drop cloth under your tent to keep your gear dry. Shannon S. says, “I usually get a plastic drop cloth at the dollar store or Walmart.” Some walkers even bring a second tarp to cover the tent and prevent condensation from dripping inside.
Sweatpants with elastic cuffs: After a long day of walking, you want to be warm and comfortable. There’s one small detail veteran walkers know that works well.: Suzie R. says, “Sweatpants with elastic cuffs are great post-walk because they keep them off the porta-potty floor.”
Ziploc bags: Put each outfit in a gallon-sized Ziploc bag. This will keep you organized and your garments dry. Jacquelyne G. also recommends putting your shoes inside your tent at night, so they don’t get damp. Speaking of shoes, veterans also suggest bringing shower shoes.
Yes, there are showers! The showers are housed in converted semi-trucks, equipped with private shower rooms that include a bench and hooks for your belongings. There are also large sinks, tables with mirrors and clean towels provided daily.
All the warm things: Toss a couple of hand warmers into your sleeping bag before bed to help stay cozy and to warm up your hands in the mornings. Veterans also recommend packing layers, fuzzy socks and mylar blankets. “I glamped in SD 2024 and felt so bad for campers because it was so cold in the morning,” Sue S. said.
Glow sticks or battery-operated lights: When the sun sets, camp gets dark. And with rows of identical pink tents, finding yours could be tricky. Veteran walker Walter H. recommends bringing glow sticks or battery-powered string lights to clip onto your tent. “Clipping glow sticks over the tent helps find yours when it’s dark,” he said. They’re also helpful to add some light inside your tent when you’re getting ready for bed or digging through your gear.”
1-inch binder clips: Seasoned 3-Day walkers swear by these! They’re perfect to clip around the cross-poles of your tent, and you can use them to secure the rain flaps open or fasten a tarp or plastic sheeting over the tent.

We hope these tips from our long-time walkers help make camping fun and as enjoyable as possible. Don’t forget there’s also a tent decorating contest, so bring your lights, signs and decorations that showcase your story and help build the amazing 3-Day community spirit.

We can’t wait to see you at camp in San Diego!

Friendship, Survivorship and the 3-Day

Lesleigh & Jamie at the San Diego 3-Day camping in their pink tent.

When Lesleigh H. signed up for the Susan G. Komen San Diego 3-Day® in 2009, she never expected it would lead to a lasting friendship. Looking for training partners, she reached out to fellow walkers in her area and that’s when she met Jamie R.

“Jamie showed up. Some other people showed up, too,” Lesleigh recalled. “But Jamie and I walked the same pace, we both have long legs, we lived in the same neighborhood. We just hit it off.”

That first training walk sparked more than just preparation for the 60-mile 3-Day. It marked the beginning of a friendship that would help carry them through some of the hardest moments of their lives.

Lesleigh and Jamie met at a training walk in 2009 for the Susan G. Komen San Deiego 3-Day.

Lesleigh and Jamie walked together in the 2009 and 2011 San Diego 3-Days, bonding over shared stories, laughter and a mutual drive to support breast cancer awareness and research. But as life got busy, they took a break from the 3-Day, never imagining that one day they’d return, not just as walkers but as having experienced breast cancer up close and personal.

A Shocking Diagnosis

In 2017, Lesleigh was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer after discovering a painful lump in her breast.

“It’s like the ground disappears from underneath you. It’s shocking,” Lesleigh said. “When the doctor told me it was just going to be a bump in the road and I wasn’t going to die, I cried because I was so thankful.”

Lesleigh underwent a lumpectomy, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. In 2019, she returned to the 3-Day, this time walking with Jamie by her side, in her honor.

Lesleigh and Jamie at the halfway point of the Susan G. Komen San Diego 3-Day.

But then, in 2022, Jamie received her own diagnosis.

“Because of COVID, I put off my mammogram for a year,” Jamie explained. “They found a lump that was the size of a Tic Tac, so it was very small. I was very fortunate.”

Jamie’s treatment included a lumpectomy, radiation therapy and ongoing estrogen blockers to treat her hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative invasive ductal carcinoma.

Return to the 3-Day

This November, Lesleigh and Jamie are returning to the San Diego 3-Day once again. This time, with even deeper meaning.

“Lesleigh is turning 60, it’s my third year of survivorship,” Jamie said. “So, we’re walking 60 miles for her 60 years and three days for my three years.”

Their bond has only grown stronger over time, not just through their breast cancer journeys, but through the unwavering support they’ve given each other.

“She lifts me up. She challenges me and she shows me the way, not just the fight for cancer but for other things, too,” Lesleigh said, fighting back tears. “She’s just the best person ever.”

More Than a Walk

Lesleigh and Jamie walking near the beach at the Susan G. Komen San Diego 3-Day.

For both Lesleigh and Jamie, the 3-Day is about so much more than walking.

“It’s challenging, but also so energetic and special,” Lesleigh said. “The Pink Bubble is like a bubble of joy, beauty and camaraderie. It just energizes you. The walking is hard, but the love and support around you keep you going.”

Outside of training or walking in the 3-Day, Jamie and Lesleigh have shared other special memories together including Bunco nights, voter outreach events and birthday parties.

“When Lesleigh and I were diagnosed, I was upset,” Jamie admitted. “But I realized this is why we’ve been doing the 3-Day all along. This is what we’ve been training for. I firmly believe that what we’ve helped raise over the years has helped us become survivors.”

Lesleigh and Jamie crossing the finish line at the Susan G. Komen San Diego 3-Day.