Congratulations to the 2018 Twin Cities 3-Day Milestone Award Winner, Patty Miller

Please join us in congratulating our 2018 Twin Cities Milestone Award Winner; Patty Miller! The Susan G. Komen 3-Day® Milestone Award is given at each event to a walker or crew member who has an outstanding history of participation in the Komen 3-Day. At the Twin Cities 3-Day camp show, we presented Patty with this special honor.

Patty has walked in the Twin Cities 3-Day for ten years, and has raised more than $120,000 total for the 3-Day!

Her son Austin says, “My mom is truly amazing. While most sons, when asked to describe their mother, would state that she is “amazing”, I am not alone in this assessment of my mom. As a young child, I remember people calling our house and telling me, “You’re Patty Miller’s son? She is an angel. Do you know that your mom is an angel?” I do know that. In fact, for my entire life she has been completely dedicated to serving others and to making all around her better.”

He went on to describe her dedication to the 3-Day, and was the consummate proud son.

“My Mom did not start doing the 3-Day until she was nearly 60 years old. I will never forget her first year doing the walk. I believe she was the number two fundraiser and the fifth or six walker to cross the end line. We stayed around the finish for hours cheering in the other walkers and ultimately partaking in the closing ceremony. It was clear to me on that day that Komen would become an important part of my mom’s life.”

And so it has! We heard just how much the 3-Day means to Patty when we spoke directly to her…

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

My dear mom stopped walking when she was only 35 years old. Cancer killed my vibrant, young mother and left motherless, me at age 4, my brother at age 7 and my sister at age 1. We’ve forever had that hole in our hearts of missing her. So I walk for and other her because I can.

What brings you back year after year?

I return year after year to walk because cancer has devastated our world and families as much as poverty or oppression. Komen helps others throughout the world while working on advanced treatments. Komen reminds us to care for our bodies as health means everything. And so I walk.

What is your secret to fundraising success?

I talk about Susan G. Komen and our 60 mile journey as often as I can. I ask on Facebook if anyone wants to contribute as well as add a name on my shirt of a loved one who has fought against cancer or is fighting now. I tell my mom’s story. I offer to speak at community events. And I THANK and THANK! Anyone who helps me with training walks or donates money, I send email thanks and Facebook thanks and snail mail thanks and kudos throughout the year.

Best advice to anyone walking 3-Day?

Make it a celebration! Celebrate YOU for taking this commitment of time and energy! Mostly, celebrate the lives you’re touching by making a positive difference in the fight against cancer.

Tell us a fun fact about you!

I support every kind of event that benefits cancer – it’s my retirement volunteer job.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned on 3-Day?

People who are passionate about ending cancer are among the greatest people anywhere. Every walker, every helper, every person who comes to cheer or work the course, every staff and every person in a car that passes and honks on the 3-Day journey seems to be bonded in a positive caring goal to find a cure and meaningful treatments. Differences disappear to work together on this most urgent goal and purpose. I’m humbled to be a part of Susan G. Komen 3-Day!

2018 Twin Cities 3-Day Route Preview

The Twin Cities 3-Day is coming up this weekend, and as you get ready for the event, we have a preview of what to expect! For those who are familiar with the route, you will see a lot of our favorite sights of the Twin Cities. However, we made some big changes to Day Two that we are excited to share! Read on for more…

Our walk this year begins at Southdale Center in Edina. It has been a local staple since 1956 and is the perfect jumping off point for sixty miles of fun. This was the original Mall of America!

However, this year we will be starting in a different area of the mall, in the Herberger’s Lot, due to construction at the mall. However, Event Production Manager Eileen Barnick promises that there will be plenty of people directing and helping everyone find the Opening Ceremony, so look for them. We will get this 3-Day started off on a great, fun foot!

Day One will begin in residential parts of Edina and we will walk around Harriet Lake and Lake Calhoun. This will give our 3-Dayers some great nature walk time!

Then, before lunch we will walk through the Sculpture Garden, which is always a fan favorite. Leaving the garden, we will walk across the pedestrian bridge, which just re-opened to the public in August. It is re-painted and looks beautiful and colorful!

Lunch will then be at Loring Park, and following lunch we will walk through Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis for about a mile. This is an outdoor mall that has its own stretch of private road that cars aren’t allowed on.

Eileen is particularly excited about this stretch of the day, saying, “It has lots of cute restaurants and shops that are trendy and fun! That is a big new part of Day One. Also, keep an eye out for the Mary Tyler Moore statue and get your photos!”

We will end the day passing through the University of Minnesota on the way to Camp at Harvest Park in Maplewood.

“It’s so big and open and they’re so nice to us there. They love having the 3-Day!” Eileen says. “It also gives us access to some great trails to start and end our days with, so it’s just a perfect location.”

After a night of beauty rest, Day Two will unveil an almost completely new, shorter route. This is based on feedback from last year’s event, and our whole 3-Day team is excited for walkers and Crew to experience the day.

As we leave in the morning, we will head to White Bear Lake, which is breathtaking! Walk into the harbor and on a path around the lake, and then into the town. Keep an eye out for local cheering stations and support throughout the town.

“Otter Lake comes next! Day Two is a lot of lakes. We love those nature times!” Eileen promises.

Lunch will take place at Calvary Church Grounds, and after lunch we head through more neighborhoods and walk the St. Paul Water Utility Trail, which takes walkers between two lakes.

Cheerleaders will then welcome walkers home to camp!

Eileen is most excited for everyone to see Day Two and thinks walkers will really enjoy the changes.

Then, finally on Day Three, walkers will see much of the same route as last year but there will be slightly more downtown St. Paul walking. We will go through lots of local neighborhoods, plus Battle Creek and other local trails. As we go into St. Paul, we will walk through Indian Mounds park, which overlooks the city. Prime photo time there!

Once we get into the city, Eileen says to keep an eye out for farmer’s markets!

The day will wind down at Kellogg Mall Park along the river, which has nice shady trees to help stave off that summer heat. We will be walking along the Mississippi River right before walkers come into the Closing Ceremony after they cross the Wabasha Bridge, which is stunning and perfect for photos!

The Closing Ceremony is once again on Harriet Island, but there will be a few changes in the stage ceremony itself. Stay tuned for those! It will be just as celebratory and exciting though so never fear! Eileen and the Twin Cities 3-Day staff can’t wait to welcome everyone into the Pink Bubble and support you through every step of your 3-Day journey.

Congratulations to the 2018 Michigan 3-Day Local Impact Award Winner, George Nummer

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 Michigan 3-Day Local Impact Award Winner, George Nummer!

Coach Heather says,

“George is an institution within not only the MI 3-Day but our community as a whole. Many people will say they know the mature gentleman with the walking sticks. When I say “community,” I mean the 3-Day as well as the local community where George can be seen walking many months of the year training for the multiple 3-Days that he is taking part in any given ear.

George is a man dedicated to saving lives. While he has many friends on the 3-Day, he is often found walking and talking with those he does not know…..he wants to learn their story and get their promise. The promise to get a mammogram….and possibly save a life. He takes any opportunity to get out there and advocate….whether its volunteering to be the subject of a local news piece to get the word out to the masses, but just as important to him, meeting new people and getting their promise on each 3-Day he takes part in. 2018 will mark 40 walks for George!”

George receives his award at the Michigan 3-Day.

Want to know more? Let’s hear from Beth Northman.

“If you don’t think you can make a difference in your own small spot in the world, all you have to do is have a chat with George Nummer! Truly a 3 Day treasure, George began walking in the 3 Day after September 11 because he wanted to make a difference and reach out to help others around him and he has done this over and over since he began participating in the event. With is walking sticks in tow and a smile on his face George is an inspiration to all he comes in contact with. I encourage you to spend a few miles with him on the route and hear his story; you’ll be glad you did!”

His friend Michelel Yelovina also raves about George.

“I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this award than George. His determination and dedication leaves a lasting impression on all who meet him. But it is his relentlessness to the cause at hand that impacts the most. “Promise to…” two strong words…”promise to get a mammogram “ is what he asks those that walk with him to make.

For 49 out of the 50 women that make that promise all maybe well, but for the one… for THIS one…George is a life saver. I don’t know how much more of an impact one can have on another persons life than having a hand in saving it! So thank you, my guardian angel , you deserve this and sooo much more! You have a special place in my heart forever!”

Now, let’s hear from the man himself! When George talked to us, he didn’t know he would be receiving this honor!

George says, “I was inspired by a speech by President Bush, post-911. He said if you want to help fight terrorism, start by helping your neighbor, help your community. A few days later, I saw an ad for the 3-Day. I thought, at age 70, I could never walk 60 miles in 3 days but I was curious so I sent for information. After I got the information and read about the Breast Cancer statics, I thought that’s pretty bad maybe I can do something to help and here I am at 86 and 40 walks later.”

We had to learn more…

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

Knowing that I am helping breast-cancer patients and survivors, and particularly getting women to promise to get yearly mammograms, has bought me back year after year. I especially enjoy being part of the 3-Day community, making friends with fellow walkers across the country.

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

Being positive in my fundraising, sending letters to all my family and friends, and not being afraid to ask for donations have led to my success. The worst people can do is say no.

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

It’s important to train well in advance. It’s best to train in all types of weather, as you may be walking the 3-Day in bad weather. And remember, it’s not a race. Take your time and get to know your fellow walkers, find out why they are walking. Enjoy yourself and have fun!

What’s a fun fact about you?

I started walking in the 3-Day at age 70. The year I turned 75, I walked in every 3-Day event available—12 walks in 15 weeks. The hardest thing I ever did, but the most rewarding!

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

Always have a positive attitude. Before you can accomplish something you must first expect it of yourself. You can do most anything you set your mind to, just believe in yourself.