Congratulations to the 2018 San Diego 3-Day Local Impact Award Winner, Milena Schroeder

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For the 2018 Susan G. Komen 3-Day® season, we’re pleased to be continuing 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, supporting the 3-Day staff year-round at meet-ups and workshops, and in general, making a difference by building lasting relationships and showing commitment to the 3-Day in all they do.

Please join us in congratulating the 2018 San Diego 3-Day Local Impact Award Winner, Milena Schroeder.

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Milena’s sister Trina says, “Several years ago, my sister convinced me to walk the 3-Day walk with her. I was hesitant, but she was relentless in her decision and wanted to share this journey with me to honor our mother, Riitta, who lost her battle to breast cancer 23 years ago. What began as two sisters joining the 3-Day became a crusade of women who Milena mobilized and inspired to join. Milena’s leadership would continue on through three separate 3-Day walks, countless fundraisers, training walks, and a community of women….. all created through a passionate plea to end breast cancer. Why go small when you can create a band of sisters, a team, to take this cause to the next level? Milena has done just that, and her devotion to this cause is inspiring. I am so thankful to be her sister and her 3-Day teammate.”

Milena tells us more about her More Than Pink way of life…

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

I lost my mother to breast cancer when she was only 48. She had a long battle and during her fight, I also lost my father to cancer. He passed on when I was 18 and she passed when I was 22. This shaped me in so many ways. I walk for their memory and I also walk for my children and husband. We have 6 children together and my goal is that they never have to experience this loss. This walk brings my parents back to me in a sense each year that I walk and lets my children see and know their grandparents as well as see their mother fight for a cause.

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

When I first started the walk, I reached out to our neighborhood mom’s Facebook group. I was blown away by the response from the other moms. Our team keeps growing and with our 3rd year, we have formed lasting friendships and amazing memories. Plus, as a team we have raised over $175,000 together. The experience itself is incredible and the beautiful team mates who have all been touched by cancer in some way or form bring me back year after year.

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

I ask everyone, and I mean everyone I know! I am always surprised by who ends up donating each year and the connections and ways people have been touched by breast cancer. It seems like there are so many who have had someone in their lives affected by breast cancer. Their stories when they donate always touch my heart

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

Train! You don’t need to over-train but at least get out there and walk for long periods of time. Even those on our team who have done marathons say that walking is a totally different experience for them. Being on your feet for that long is tough and unexpected. Also, enjoy the 3 day and keep your ears, heart, and eyes open. The walk is unlike anything you will ever do again and is such an amazing experience. It’s why I keep coming back year after year.

What’s a fun fact about you?

I have 6 kids! My husband and I have 5 boys and 1 girl and their ages range from 16 down to our 5 year old twin boys. My husband handles all of them with finesse on the weekends as my training ramps up in September, October, and November. Its a total family team effort. We are a loud, crazy, and fun family. I also teach full time and am surrounded by children at all times. I joke that I wake up to children, teach children, carpool and feed children, and with someone always crawling into bed with me, I never am not around children!

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

That the experience is different for everyone and to take the time to hear their stories. The 3-Day is taxing on your body but what I take away each year is what has touched my heart.

2018 San Diego 3-Day Wrap Up

The 3-Day headed back to the West Coast last weekend for our final 3-Day of 2018 in San Diego. We couldn’t have asked for better weather, and better times for this final 60-mile journey of the year.

Friday was dawning as we began our Opening Ceremony, which started with a speech from our Bank of America partners, who emphasized how much the 3-Day has contributed to the fight against breast cancer. This fact was emphasized by our local speakers, many of whom had personal stories of connection and inspiration in the San Diego community. Their words were still ringing in our ears as the Circle of Strength led our walkers out of the Del Mar Fairgrounds to start the day.

The inspiration and community support continued as walkers made their way through the city of Del Mar. There were local cheerleaders and businesses, the famous and beloved Toast Lady of Del Mar, and plenty of signs, flags and sparkles to keep our walkers smiling.

Then they conquered the Torrey Pines Hill, our longest hill of the weekend! They were greeted at the bottom by more cheers, and an amazing view of the California coastline. By the time they reached Pit Stop Two at the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, walkers had already conquered 5.1 miles.

Walkers made their way through the University of California, San Diego campus in the afternoon and lunched at Kellogg Park along the beach.

There were more cheering stations and smiles throughout the end of Day One, before walkers headed home to camp at Crown Point Shores. Our last walker was welcomed with joy! Then, after an inspiring camp show where we honored our Bank of America Top Fundraisers for the 3-Day, all our participants tucked in for a cozy night at camp.

Day Two brought our walkers through the city of San Diego, including ocean views at Pit Stop 1 along Ocean Beach. Susan G. Komen CEO Paula Schneider joined walkers on Saturday with her family, taking on the 19.9-mile day with them.

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The ever-present San Diego Police Department kept all our walkers safe and smiling as they walked through South Shores and Tecolote Shores in Mission Bay. The Route Safety Crew was also working hard, conquering hills and boardwalks alike to make sure every walker came safely home to camp for mac n’ cheese night! We also awarded a lucky winner of the Ford Warriors in Pink giveaway, played the Newlywed Game with two 3-Dayers who were just married last week, and met our amazing San Diego Youth Corps. There couldn’t have been a better way to finish the day.

And then, suddenly, it was Day Three! The final day of the San Diego 3-Day brought more stunning ocean views before walkers came to Pit Top 1 and fun animals from San Diego Sea World as they entered Pit Stop 2. With all that fun, it was a quick 6.9 miles!

Then, after Mile 9.5, the walkers conquered the infamous Juan Street Hill. It was “Juan last hill” on their 3-Day journey, and the walkers made it look easy!

From there, they stopped for lunch at Pioneer Park and things were all downhill (literally) from there. Walkers came through downtown San Diego and arrived for their final Victory Walk at Waterfront Park. There was celebrating, smiles, dancing and lots of More Than Pink fun.

The Closing Ceremony finished out the weekend and our 2,200 walkers and 300 amazing crew were shouting loudly and proudly that in this fight against breast cancer…WE WILL NEVER GIVE UP. Thank you, San Diego. We are so very proud of each one of you.

2018 San Diego 3-Day Route Preview

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Our final 3-Day of the year is this weekend, and we are so excited to be heading back to the West Coast for the 2018 San Diego 3-Day. As the date fast approaches, we are giving a sneak peek at our 60-mile route, which will immerse walkers in the beautiful sights of San Diego and celebrate the final walk of the year.

Event Manager Meredith Parker walked her first 3-Day in San Diego years ago, so she (along with our whole San Diego coaching team) is very happy to welcome all of our participants next weekend.

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It will all begin at the Del Mar Fairgrounds once again, which was just home to the Breeder’s Cup race, and is a source of great local pride and excitement. This Opening Ceremony site has become a favorite for participants and supporters alike, and we’re excited to once again kick off our journey here.

Meredith enthuses, “It’s a great, festive location that’s home to a lot of iconic events for the city. Such a big, open space that’s perfect for us!”

After the Opening Ceremony, we will be making our way through Del Mar, which is always so welcoming to our walkers! Make sure to keep an eye out for the Toast Lady! After lunch at the picturesque Kellogg Park, we will enter La Jolla and spend Friday afternoon walking through that area, including passing Pacific Beach.

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We will finish the day at our camp site at Crown Point Shores, which has been a wonderful location for the last few years.

Meredith says, “It’s along the shoreline of Siesta Bay so you’ll get beautiful views! The residents of Crown Point have been so welcoming us for more than a decade, and we can’t wait to bring our sea of pink back to the park.”

Coach Staci echoes that, saying the whole team works year-round to maintain “meaningful and cooperative relationships with all of our sites, keeping walker safety and enjoyment as the top priority.”

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It’s the perfect spot nestled in the nature of the park that will be excellent to celebrate at 3-Day Main Street (Who is excited for those Bank of America massage chairs?!), as well as being a great camping grounds for a restful night’s sleep.

We will spend Saturday in San Diego proper, including a stop at Ocean Beach’s Dog Beach South for Pit Stop 1. There will be lots of local cheering stations on Day 2, as well as calming nature walks through Tecolote Shores, Mission Bay Park and De Anza Cove Park.

Then on Day 3, we’ll be back in San Diego for stop at Fanuel Street Park and Bonita Cove before lunch. Coach Staci says all the lunch spots throughout the weekend are picturesque and relaxing spots, so walkers can look forward to that all weekend long.

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Day 3 only has 15.5 miles on the route, so it will be quick and fun for our walkers! Pioneer Park and Balboa Park will also be great spots for photos and fun!

Our 60-mile journey ends at our Closing Ceremony, which once again will be at Waterfront Park.

Meredith explains, “It’s right on the harbor, across the street from Embarcadero, which is a waterfront area that hosts the Maritime Museum and the Star of India full-rigged sailing ship.”

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The park is relatively new to the San Diego landscape and is close to Little Italy and the Gaslamp Quarter, which are perfect places to celebrate with friends and family after your 60-mile journey! There will be plenty of amazing photo ops so get your selfie smiles ready ?

We are so excited to celebrate with San Diego all weekend long and end our 2018 3-Day season making bold strides together towards a cure for breast cancer. We have had Bold Goals for 2018 and beyond, and all of you are helping us take important steps towards achieving them.

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