Category Archives: General

Join us for a Susan G. Komen Mission Webinar about Triple Negative Breast Cancer

Join us next Wednesday, September 14 from 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. CT as Susan G. Komen continues our 3-Day webinar series with a new webinar focused on triple negative breast cancer. You will hear from Komen Scholar, Dr. Jennifer Pietenpol, as she unwinds the complexity of triple negative breast cancer and showcases how Komen funds have aided our understanding of triple negative breast cancer and helped pioneer novel treatment options.

This webinar will be hosted by:

  • Carrie Stovall, Director, Events
  • Michelle Martin-Pozo Ph.D., Director, Research Programs at Komen
  • Jennifer Pietenpol, Ph.D., Executive Vice President for Research at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Director of the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, the B.F. Byrd Jr. Professor of Molecular Oncology, and Professor of Biochemistry, Cancer Biology and Otolaryngology at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
    • Jennifer Pietenpol, Ph.D., began her research focused on the signaling of one of the most commonly mutated genes in all of cancer: p53. More recently, Dr. Pietenpol has combined her research expertise in molecular genetics with bioinformatics to identify differences of triple negative breast cancer. Her studies have helped lead to several clinical trials aimed to help oncologists determine the most appropriate and precise treatment for breast cancer patients. Dr. Pietenpol has been recognized many times for her leadership and her work, and continues to help lead and shape cancer research nationally as demonstrated by her recent appointment to a panel advising Vice President Joe Biden’s National Cancer Moonshot.

The webinar will be 30 minutes long and you will have the opportunity to ask questions. Invite your friends, family and donors to participate and learn more about how the money you raise helps support Komen’s research.

Please send this information to your family and friends and invite them to join us, too.

WEBINAR TOPIC: Deciphering the Complexity: New Strategies for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
DATE: Wednesday, September 14
TIME: 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. CT
REGISTER FOR THIS WEBINAR TODAY: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2966803806204000515

See you on Wednesday!

Seattle 3-Day 2016 Route Update!

Last year on the 3-Day® blog, we shared some detailed “Insider’s Peek at the Route” posts with you. We pulled the curtain back on the overall process of planning and executing a 60-mile route, and then got even more in-depth with each individual 3-Day walk’s route.

This year, we continue to keep you looped-in with the updates and changes that have been made to the 3-Day routes for 2016.

We’re also bringing in members of the 3-Day Advisory Council to share their thoughts about the 2016 route changes. These participants stand as the “voice” of the 3-Day community and their input has been instrumental in strengthening the communication and camaraderie between Komen and the 3-Day family, so we’re thrilled to have their insight here on our route updates.

We have already shared the Michigan and Twin Cities route updates, and today, we bring you some exciting info about the SEATTLE 3-Day route.

The Seattle 3-Day is the event whose route has undergone the most significant changes in 2016. Because Seattle would be seeing such substantial updates to its route, earlier this year, Seattle Advisory Council members Dottie and Tina were invited to join the 3-Day event planners on a route drive in Seattle, where they got a sneak peek at the changes. Tina, who will be walking in her 15th and 16th 3-Day events this year (Seattle and San Diego), shared her thoughts on the updates.tina mcd

“I know the route has been an ongoing concern over the last years for the Seattle 3-Day and my team. Spending the day driving the routes with 3-Day staff and discussing the reasoning and thought process was amazing. Every single concern was addressed and great changes are being made. I love that they are looking at it through the eyes and perspective of someone who is walking the 60 miles.

“On Day 1 I am so excited that we are developing plans to walk through the Microsoft campus. Many hills were eliminated and roads have been changed to give us a change of scenery.

“Day 2 is looking to incorporate so many fun changes! We are planning on reversing the route heading out of camp so we can walk into Redmond Town Center and avoid heading straight up the huge hill first thing in the morning. We’re planning on heading into Kirkland from the opposite direction which is great because it takes us down to the water for lunch. I love the route out of lunch because we will continue to walk along the waterfront through downtown. To make our way back to Redmond we are working on a gradual, progressive uphill that incorporates the Cross Kirkland trail and hopefully the Google Campus. This will help break up the hill as well as move us safely over the freeway while providing some new scenery as well.

“I am so pinking excited for the changes to Day 3. I love that we are planning on heading north to Ravenna so we can walk along the shores of Green Lake again. This route would allow us to come into the South Lake Union area from a different direction, while enjoying views of the lake and downtown. Although I will miss the Ballard Locks, I can’t wait to see what this new route provides for walker stalker opportunities. I love, love, love how we are planning to walk into Seattle with views galore of our amazing city and the water that surrounds it. I love that we are planning to approach the city from a different way—walking along the waterfront with the possibility of having our last pit stop/grab & go at Centennial Park, which is clean, beautiful and amazing!

“All three days will provide new scenery, roads, photo opportunities, large areas for cheering stations, and something new for the veteran walkers, as well an amazing experience for our new walkers! I am beyond thrilled that the walkers’ voices have been heard and that we are making changes. I couldn’t be happier to be a part of this great experience and amazing organization.”

Another Advisory Council member taking part in the Seattle 3-Day is Anthony, a long-time Route Safety crew member from Arizona. “This will be my 8th event. All of them have been on Route Safety. This will be my FIRST time crewing Seattle. It will be lots of fun, especially since I lived there a long time ago.” anthony

Can’t wait to see all you Seattle 3-Dayers out there in a couple of weeks!

2016 Twin Cities 3-Day Wrap-up

The Susan G. Komen Twin Cities 3-Day began early Friday morning as a cheerful pink family against a gray sky. The somber weather was no match for the enthusiasm and dedication radiating from our walkers and crew, who listened to moving stories from the honor speakers, shouted the names of their loved ones in memoriam, and were amped up by Chrissy Mathews, 3-Day Program Manager, and Dr. Sheri Prentiss.  As music pulsed through the lot at Southdale Center in Edina, our 500 walkers began the first steps in their 3-Day journey.

13934804_10157273502660392_803566530589032870_n

Pit Stop 1 greeted walkers with a peaceful vibe… of peace, love, and boobees, that is. Walkers refueled with juicy oranges and grahamwiches, filled up on sports drink, visited portapotties, and headed back out onto the route.

13996137_10157273926880392_5153591934068495719_o

Minnesota’s stunning green landscape didn’t disappoint at 6.3 miles in at Lake Harriet, where ducks floated by and squirrels dashed up trees.

14047245_10157274932480392_4301732709492571560_o

After lunch, the sweeping city views at Father Hennepin Bluffs Park were the perfect backdrop for photos (thanks, Bank of America!), and having clocked 14.7 miles, feet were starting to get sore. Pit stops refueled the walkers several miles later as grahamwiches were scarfed and hydration remained a priority.

Back at camp, walkers relaxed with Bank of America’s massage chairs and hands on massage, and sipped refreshing mocktails in our glamping lounge. Camp Angels helped set up pink tents and slowly a pink city rose against the blue dusk. We welcomed in our last walker and then heard from courageous survivor Teresa Swinson, 3-Day specialist Amber,  played some games with Bank of America, and listened to the Youth Corps share their reasons for participating. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house! Camp show ended on an inspirational note, and we walked back to our tents feeling tired but grateful, finishing off the day knowing we made a 20-mile impact in the fight against breast cancer.

14102933_10157276185705392_7676017119466940301_o

Day 2 was full of what some walkers dubbed ‘tears of joy’. Sprinkles and downpours drenched our walkers and crew in liquid sunshine, but cheery yellow ponchos kept everyone relatively dry and the walk went on. Flooded roads put a slight crimp in the route, with a special re-route courtesy of cozy SAG buses that whisked our walkers away to lunch.
14102871_10157278565435392_4632191108165870863_o

While the rain kept coming down, the amazing and optimistic attitudes of 3-Dayers shone through even when the sun didn’t. The day was moved along by the hard work of our energetic crew, and pit Stops like Pit 4, the Wizard of Bras, provided hilarious entertainment with pumping music and dance parties. We may not have been in Kansas, but the yellow brick road and cold sports drink of Pit 4 proved that there’s no place like the 3-Day.

14047117_10157279740175392_2173512875298428315_o

Saturday is Friends and Family night at the 3-Day, so it was the perfect night to call out the extraordinary Top Fundraisers, Local Impact Award Winner, Milestone Award Winner, Veteran and New Walkers. They were all rewarded with personalized gifts from Bank of America, which was the perfect introduction to a special celebration loaded with surprises in honor of our 150th walk! We won’t tell you much here so it’s a surprise for everyone 😉

Though the rain may have made parts of Day 2 more challenging, it cleared up in time for a beautiful sunset, the perfect parting gift for a special 40 miles.

It was smiles all around in Camp on Sunday morning as walkers woke up in Harvest Park to clear blue skies.

14067871_10157283010685392_4497297069166907298_o

The public came out to cheer on our walkers at Northwood and Indian Mounds Parks, passing out candies, ribbons, and to some lucky walkers, hot coffee from a popular establishment. Indian Mounds Park was the source of the day’s knockout scenery, with the St. Paul skyline bursting through clearings in the trees.

13988047_10157284223105392_7445258060478146536_o

It was just a few more miles through downtown St. Paul to get to the gorgeous Harriet Island, home of our Closing Ceremony.  Our walkers marched victoriously onto the field, surrounded by clapping Crew members. They knelt in solidarity, each holding a shoe towards the sky, saluting our brave survivors as they walked into the audience. Chrissy and Dr. Sheri shared the news that 500 walkers and 200 crew raised an astonishing $1.4 million dollars toward furthering the fight against breast cancer. Looking out into a sea of survivors and co-survivors, family and friends, we were reminded again of the magnitude of what we do, and the power, dedication, and HOPE that comes from the tenacity and commitment of each and every one of you. Twin Cities; we’re so proud of you, and we promise you: we will never give up.

HEROES