For nearly 20 years, Alyssa S. has been a part of the Susan G. Komen 3-Day®. community. 

Her commitment began when her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004. 

“I would research her medications and side effects while she was going through her treatment, and I kept getting pop-up ads for the 3-Day,” Alyssa said. “I finally registered in 2007. At the time, I didn’t realize the 3-Day was something participants keep doing year after year.” 

But that’s exactly what happened. 

Alyssa’s first 3-Day event was in Chicago in 2007. Since then, she has completed more than 30 events in Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Boston and San Diego.  

Today, her mother is living with metastatic breast cancer, a diagnosis she received in 2021. 

“There are always more reasons to keep going. You hear about more people that have been diagnosed. Everywhere you look, there’s another reason,” Alyssa said. “And there are also personal stories from people whose lives were impacted by the programs supported by the money we’ve raised, and that reminds me why I keep coming back.” 

Making Music to Raise Funds 

To support her 3-Day fundraising efforts, Alyssa turned to her passion for music. 

A percussionist since fifth grade, Alyssa has spent much of her life studying, performing and teaching music. She earned bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in music. When she started the 3-Day, she was a teacher at a community arts school in Flint, Michigan, and she thought of an idea. 

“I was trying to figure out the fundraising, and I thought about doing a recital,” Alyssa said. “I quickly put one together right before that first walk, and it became an annual thing.”  

Nearly two decades later, she’s still hosting the annual recital every year. 

Alyssa invites the community to enjoy a complimentary evening of music while supporting the 3-Day. During the reception, she collects donations for the 3-Day from anyone who is interested in supporting the event. She performs on the marimba and is joined on stage by fellow musicians. 

“Year after year, I have found pretty amazing people who have wanted to continue to support the cause and support me,” Alyssa said. “People usually will ask me, ‘When are you starting your 3-Day fundraising?’ because they want to be involved in that way. It’s incredible.” 

In 2017, Alyssa received the Twin Cities 3-Day Milestone Award. She is also a member of the Lifetime Commitment Circle and has raised more than $122,000 for Komen.  

For those just beginning their 3-Day fundraising journey, Alyssa has one piece of advice. 

“You just have to ask,” she said. “You never know who will come forward to support you, because breast cancer has impacted the lives of so many people.” 

To learn more about the 3-Day visit the3day.org.