Congratulations to the 2017 San Diego 3-Day Local Impact Award Winner

For the 2017 Susan G. Komen 3-Day® season, we’re honored to be featuring the Local Impact Award. This award is being given to participants who have been instrumental in strengthening the 3-Day® community throughout the year. Local Impact Award honorees have gone above and beyond in their efforts leading training walks, attending 3-Day community events. They have also supported the 3-Day staff year-round at meet-ups and workshops, and in general, been making a difference by building lasting relationships and showing commitment to the 3-Day in all they do.

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Please join us in congratulating the 2017 San Diego 3-Day Local Impact Award Winner, Rainy Reinbold.

Her fellow Crew members have loved having her as a part of their team for 13 events!

“Rainy has a magical way to make everyone around her feel special, appreciated and empowered to make a difference. She has been a Crew Captain since 2005, sharing her love and leadership with both our camp crews and route crews. In 2005 she took over the role of Gear & Tent Crew Captain, supporting over 50 crew members to make sure our Gear & Tent team was successful managing over 5,000 pieces of participant gear!

After a few years as the Gear & Tent Captain, Rainy became our Senior Captain of Camp. She then spread her wings out to our route and has been our Senior Captain of Route for the past couple of years. Rainy has raised more than $5,000, and been a crew captain in 3 other cities. Whenever there is a need for a volunteer at a local event, Rainy is there with her smiling face. Rainy is truly a special ingredient that makes the San Diego 3-Day community so unique. If you have the opportunity to meet Rainy, you will be inspired in unimaginable ways.”

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Her friends had plenty of high praise to share about Rainy, saying,

“I find her to be so REAL & GENUINE. She is so straight forward, she has a heart made of gold and although she may try to hide it, she is really sentimental. I can honestly say that if I ever need anything, I know she would be there for me and anyone else that is family, day or night, with no questions asked.

Her dedication to the 3-Day has been proven over many events and she does it with such quiet and effective leadership (you actually don’t even realize she is leading you into the promised land of 3-Day). She does all of this and maintains such a great sense of humor. I love how she laughs at me, but also is very good laughing at herself which just proves her fabulous sense of self.”

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Her humor was evident even when we asked her for her own take on the 3-Day. When we asked these questions, she didn’t know she would soon be our winner!

What was your inspiration to do your first 3-Day?

My sister was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 34. I wanted to challenge myself to walk the 60 miles and to help the cause. My sister just celebrated her 20th cancer-free anniversary.

What has brought you back to the 3-Day year after year?

I came for the cause and stayed for the family I found.

What is the secret to your 3-Day fundraising success?

Just ask people face to face. Emails are easy to delete, but face to face conversations capture emotion. Explain to potential donors why you are participating in the event. Why does it mean so much to you and how can their support make a difference.

What is your best advice to anyone walking the 3-Day?

Slow down and enjoy the journey. There are no medals on the 3-day. Also, laugh until you cry and cry until you laugh. If you want to avoid blisters coat your feet in a thick layer of Vaseline (you are going to throw those shoes and socks away anyway after the walk).

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What’s a fun fact about you?

I am a HUGE baseball fan (especially the Padres), I’ve been to all 30 major league baseball stadiums. My husband and I are writing a book called 59 by 59 (one couple’s journey to visit all the national parks before they turn 59). I can recite the Greek Alphabet and all 50 states in alphabetical order. I have been to 49/50 states (Idaho is all I am missing). I speak sarcasm fluently.

What are the most important lessons you’ve learned on the 3-Day?

Everyone is participating in the 3-Day for a different reason. Don’t assume everyone’s idea of the 3-day is the same as yours. Listen to the stories. Blisters will fade, but the stories you share will be an amazing memory.

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Meet Cathy O’Grady, Philadelphia 3-Day T-Rex

October is an awesome month for many reasons; the Atlanta 3-Day, it’s Fall, and its Halloween! To help with your costume planning, we have some prehistoric inspiration from the Philadelphia 3-Day. Cathy O’Grady has walked the Boston 3-Day twice, and also walked in Philadelphia, Atlanta and Arizona. She’s also crewed the Philadelphia 3-Day twice.

If you were on the Philadelphia 3-Day you may know Cathy, even if you don’t know her face, and it might be hard to know her face – because Cathy is also known as the Philadelphia T-Rex! In addition to her crewing duties, Cathy keeps the walkers laughing and smiling through all 60 miles of their 3-Day journey, as well as giving them some great photo opportunities. What makes her such a dedicated 3-Dayer? Let’s find out!

How did you first become involved with the 3-Day?

I lost my mother to breast cancer and I always wanted to get involved but constantly made excuses why I couldn’t do it. One summer, I was speaking to my friend from Utah and she informed me that she would come to Boston and walk with me. That’s all I needed to hear so I immediately signed up. I never realized what a life-changing experience I was about to undergo.

What were your first 3-Day experiences like?

I and my friend Tracy had NO idea what we were doing. We didn’t train, we wore the wrong type of sneakers and just followed the crowds to walk from Framingham to Waltham. We started as a team of 2 and, by the time we got to Waltham, we were a team of thousand, because everyone was our friend.

Day 2 brought torrential downpours and lots of unhappy walkers…but not us! We hunkered down in our tent and just made memories. […]

The following year, we were a team of twelve. We formed the “Sofia’s Angels” (the same year I started my nonprofit foundation under the same name). We perform real acts of kindness! As small as leaving quarters on gumball machines to giving coats, scarves and other warm items for the homeless, to paying off over 20K in layaways at Christmas time at Toys ‘R’ Us. Most recently we were able to raise 50K to purchase a handicap-accessible van for a family!

When did you first don the T-Rex costume and why?

Last year, I had signed up to crew in Philly. It was my first time crewing and, being a previous walker, I knew how much strength and laughter I took away from seeing people at the cheering stations. I wanted to do something big! What’s big? A T-Rex! So I ordered it and, although I was sweating in it, it was truly so rewarding to see all the walkers and random people smiling and approaching me for pictures.

How do you keep the walkers smiling all weekend?

I have hidden and jumped out to scare them. I have chased them for a hug. I have held their hands as they crossed the finish line and coming back to camp. I danced with them at camp. I smiled more than they did through all of this because I could see how much they loved it. The best part was that people didn’t know who I was so, when I wasn’t wearing the T-Rex, I would hear people talking about finding T-Rex for pictures!

Why is laughter important on the 3-Day?

I think all the emotions we feel during the 3-Day are important. Laughter is contagious! Seeing someone laughing and smiling, you can’t help but do the same.

What are other tips or “must-dos” do you have for 3-Dayers?

You must sit back and just take in all that is happening around you. I rushed through my first 3-Day and felt like I didn’t take the opportunity to really appreciate the experience. Also, talk to others! EVERYONE has a story and everyone is willing to share it.

What keeps you coming back year after year?

I feel like I’m making a difference. I just became a grandmother to a beautiful baby girl and, by the time she is old enough to understand what breast cancer WAS, I want it to be a WAS.

We agree, Kathy – we can’t wait until the day that breast cancer is extinct. Thanks for cheering on our 3-Day family with your terrific T-Rex!

Congratulations to the 2017 Seattle 3-Day Local Impact Award Winner

For the 2017 Susan G. Komen 3-Day® season, we’re honored to be featuring the Local Impact Award. This award is being given to participants who have been instrumental in strengthening the 3-Day® community throughout the year. Local Impact Award honorees have gone above and beyond in their efforts leading training walks, attending 3-Day community events. They have also supported the 3-Day staff year-round at meet-ups and workshops, and in general, been making a difference by building lasting relationships and showing commitment to the 3-Day in all they do.

Please join us in congratulating the 2017 Seattle 3-Day Local Impact Award Winner, Judy Kent.

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All those that know her love and support Judy, including fellow participant, Susan Grasdahl.

“Judy is amazing, we are so lucky to have her at Camp! Each year brings change and some challenges to be met, Judy always meets it with “we got this” and that approach has become our motto! Judy leads with kindness, enthusiasm, dedication, hard work and of course her quick wit! Be it rain , heat , wind, concerts, bike races or sprinklers going off at dawn… no worries, Judy’s got this! She is an inspiration to us all!”

Her sister in law, Maryann O’Donnell, echoes that praise! She says Judy has been a dedicated 3-Dayer since 2002.

“She was preparing to celebrate her 50th birthday and wanted to do something to celebrate her 50 years of being relatively healthy. She called me with the idea of us walking the 3-Day in Seattle. We prepared by raising money, we trained on separate coasts (since I live in Virginia) and we anxiously arrived with two water bottles in tow, for that first event. What an emotional roller-coaster that was for both of us!

“We each brought different strengths and personalities to that walk. I am the emotional one, often high strung but always with a smile on my face. Judy …is an accountant…she sees an issue…analyzes it…and executes a solution. One could say she perseveres until the job is complete, a trait that got us through that first 60 miles and has continued with her throughout the next 15 plus events.

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O’Donnell continues, “Judy was proud to be a part of the 3-Day when Komen took over the event. She first worked on the Food Service crew, then quickly became the Food Service captain until a few years ago, when she became the Camp senior captain. In the off season, she fundraised, helped others with training walks, sewed chef hats, sewed pink aprons, helped organize people to get involved and even badgered her high school friends to fly from California to be on her crew. She has gone above and beyond what she had wanted to accomplish on that first walk in 2002. I am thrilled to be a part of this recognition of her accomplishments for the 3-Day. I know she is really a very humble person who doesn’t want to be in the limelight, but is so deserving of this award.”

After all that praise, we had to hear from Judy herself! When we asked her these questions, she didn’t know she would soon be selected as our winner!

What was your inspiration to do your first 3-Day?

I was prodded into doing the event in 2002 (then with Avon) by my sister-in-law Maryann O’Donnell, who also still works on the crew. I was turning 50 years old and needed a physical challenge. Also, it was the time in my life to start “giving back.” Breast cancer poses such a threat to women as we get older and I wanted to get out in front of it doing my part to make diagnosis, treatment and survival rates better.

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What has brought you back to the 3-Day year after year?

I absolutely love the camaraderie that exists among the new and veteran crew members. We all want to help the walkers have the best experience ever.

What is the secret to your 3-Day fundraising success?

The most important thing about fundraising is: “Don’t be afraid to ask everyone and anyone!” Over the years, I have heard so many stories from walkers about how pleasantly surprised they were by the support they received when they just had the courage to ask for donations.

What is your best advice to anyone walking the 3-Day?

Train, train, train! Make sure you train carrying a full water bottle either in a waist of back pack. Make sure you take a long walk wearing the clothes you plan on wearing on event so you can check for chafing, wicking, etc. Also, please make sure you have the shoes and socks that work best for your feet.

What are 3 fun facts about you?

This year our family will have 3 generations on event. My niece, Liz Matthews, is captain of Traffic control and her daughter, Zoey, is serving with the Youth Corps
My husband and I make our own wine and beer as a hobby, and we work at a winery in Woodinville.
I still use a “dumb” phone – I can only talk and text with my phone!

What are the most important lessons you’ve learned on the 3-Day?

No matter tired I am, the walkers are even more tired.
Always be ready and available to listen. It may be a walker with a problem or complaint (or maybe even a rave review), a crew member with a question or a staff member with a request. Listen carefully and then do your best to solve the problem.
For Seattle, always bring rain gear.