Category Archives: General

Father’s Day

In recognition of Father’s Day, we asked 3-Day walker John S., who lost his daughter to breast cancer, to reflect on what being a father means to him and why he thinks supporting Susan G. Komen is so important. 

Father’s Day is a day where we as fathers celebrate those incredibly unique and precious relationships with our families and children. As a father who lost a young daughter to metastatic breast cancer, it evokes the fondest of memories, endless thoughts of what could have been while leaving a hole in your heart. No matter the age of a daughter, they are “forever your little girl.” It also demands that you ask yourself what you can do to support the fight against breast cancer and end this disease. 

Last year I participated for the first time in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day in San Diego. I initially registered in the summer of 2020, because our sweet daughter Melissa passed away from metastatic breast cancer at the age of 36 the previous year on November 21, 2019. The summer of 2020, we were in the depths of COVID and I was thinking of how I would spend the first anniversary of her passing. I heard of the San Diego 3-Day and coincidentally the Saturday of the event was the first anniversary date of her passing. Melissa had been involved in the fight against breast cancer. She was very impassioned about the cause. I thought it was the perfect way for me to be with my thoughts of her and a way to continue her legacy. The same day I signed up for the event I received a call just hours later to tell me they had to postpone the walk to 2021. As it turns out, the 2021 San Diego 3-Day Closing Ceremony was on the second anniversary of her passing.  

Initially, I wanted to walk alone with my thoughts about Melissa in the sea of walkers. As the time drew near, a colleague in California invited me to join a team and I agreed. I joined Sally’s “Hands Up for Hooters” team to walk with others. Earlier this year as part of its 2022 fundraising, this team passed the $1 million cumulative mark! It was the best decision I could have made, as I realized that no one impacted by breast cancer should make the journey alone. I was also honored to speak at the Opening Ceremony about Melissa’s passing, her fight against breast cancer, and taking “Action,” one of the four approaches of Komen. Here’s what I said:  

“Two years ago this Sunday, our sweet daughter Melissa passed away at the age of 36 of metastatic breast cancer after a four-year fight. She left behind her husband and two little girls ages 4 and 6. For years, she counseled women going through radiation treatment for breast cancer and served as both a spokesperson and fundraiser in the fight against breast cancer. I commit to do what I can to honor her legacy and continue her plea “that every woman under the age of 40, with a family history of breast cancer, be encouraged and provided an opportunity for a mammogram.” Also, to raise financial support for Susan G. Komen in finding a cure so that no parent will ever have to deliver a eulogy for a daughter dying of this disease.” 

Participating in the 3-Day event has been life changing as I am sure it has been or will be for this year’s new participants. To witness the grit and joy of the walkers including survivors, their emotional support network, and the generosity of their donors is truly inspirational. Since signing up for the San Diego 3-Day I have become moved to be more involved with Susan G. Komen by participating in the local walk, fundraising, legislative advocacy, and as a member of the Komen Leadership Council in Central Texas. 

Particularly on this Father’s Day, I am grateful as a father for the opportunity to support Susan G. Komen and the 3-Day. It not only helps to keep sweet Melissa’s legacy alive but also supports the survivors and their supporters in their journeys in finding the cures for breast cancer. With that I would like to share a short video about Melissa, being a father of a daughter passing away from breast cancer and why we walk. https://youtu.be/_fc3g0qKZCo 

I wish you and yours a Happy Father’s Day and a wonderful 3-Day experience! 

Best regards, 

John 

Summer Fundraising Ideas

Summer is right around the corner which means plenty of opportunities to get up, get outside and have some fun—all for a good cause! Here are some fundraising ideas to get you closer to your goal.  

  1. Put in Miles on the Longest Day of the Year 

Take advantage of the longest day of the year and pledge to walk your longest training walk on Tuesday, June 21st. Because it’s a weekday, you may have to break it up into a few walks that day. Share your mileage on social media and encourage people in your network to sponsor each mile. Take it a step farther and choose a theme for your miles! Miles 1-3, superhero-themed. Miles 4-6, 90s-themed, and so on! Bonus: Go live on social media during your walk to thank donors for all their support! 

  1. Host a Garage or Book Sale  

Time for a summer refresh? Clear out your clutter and put it up for sale. You can host a sale by yourself or with a group of friends with all proceeds going towards your 3-Day fundraising efforts. Make signage and put out a donation bowl so attendees know you are raising money for a great cause!  

  1. Get Sporty 

Play ball! Turn your hobby into a fundraising event. Whether you play baseball (host a Home Run Derby), basketball (host a 3-on-3 tournament), tennis or pickleball (try a round robin tourney), or enjoy indoor sports like bowling (highest score wins), there’s an option for everyone. There are plenty of online resources to help you create and structure your event. Once planned, post on community boards like the Nextdoor app to spread the word.  

Not interested in team sports? Host a charity fitness class at a gym or studio! Cycling, dancing, or HIIT, the options are endless and oh so fun.  

  1. Ready, Set, Bake! 

Do people beg you for your chocolate chip cookie recipe? Or maybe your signature brownies? Share the love and offer to bake a treat for every donation you receive above $100. Take it a step further and let donors choose between 2-3 options as a thank you for donating to your fundraising efforts.  

  1. Share Thanks on Social Media 

Choose a period of time where every donor at $50 or above gets a special shout-out on your social media channels! Share a post about how much you love them, a funny photo of you together or a favorite memory you have. You can get even more creative and offer to make up a song or dance, or do a drawing for your biggest donors. You don’t have to be good at any of those things—it’s even funnier if you’re not! It’s a fun way to make your donors feel special!  

  1. Use our Social Fundraising Toolkit 

Are you looking for more ways to fundraise on social media, or maybe need some help finding the right ways to ask for donations? We’ve got you covered with this new social fundraising toolkit! You can find awesome tips, images and fill-in-the-blank prompts to get you at and above your fundraising goal, all right here: The Susan G. Komen 3-Day Social Fundraising Toolkit (the3day.org) 

Don’t see something that could work for you? Use these ideas as a starting point to help brainstorm how you could incorporate fundraising into your summer plans. Remember, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming! Every dollar adds up. As always, reach out to your 3-Day coach at any time for more support or take to your city’s Facebook group to get advice from your fellow participants!  

Themed Training Walk Ideas

With a rigorous and consistent training schedule, we know it can be hard to get motivated and get walking. We’ve compiled a list of themed training walk ideas to help put some fun into training and get the Pink Bubble hyped up for the 2022 3-Day Series! 

  1. Spice Girls 

Flash back to the 90s and “spice” up your training walks by having a Spice Girls-themed training walk! Encourage your friends and teammates to dress up as their favorite Spice Girl and blast their albums to get moving! 

  1. ’70s 

Get groovy with a 1970’s-themed training walk! Break out some (comfortable) bell bottoms, colored sunglasses and put together your favorite tunes from the ’70s to bust a move to out on your walk (maybe leave the platforms at home, though)! 

  1. Western 

Break out that cowboy hat (doubles as sun protection), play some George Strait out of your portable speaker and hit the road! Add some bolo ties and turquoise to your walking apparel for an extra flare, and maybe throw on a John Wayne movie when you get home. 

  1. Roaring 20’s 

Make 2022 your own version of the roaring 20’s with an awesome themed training walk! Choose which direction you’d like to take between Gatsby, prohibition, or wear some pearls and headbands as walking flapper girls! 

  1. Bubbles 

Have a bubble party while you’re out walking! Bring a small tube of bubbles and blowers for each person and spread some Pink Bubble love while you’re out putting in those miles! 

  1. Disney 

Dress up as your favorite Disney characters, play some Disney songs and get down to business with your training! Gather your team when you’re done and have a mad tea party. 

  1. Luau 

As summer approaches, get in gear with Hawaiian shirts, big straw hats and some calming ukulele tunes. Add some leis and puka shells for an extra flair and finish the walk with a nice cold beverage (put a tiny umbrella in your sports drink ?)! 

  1. Mardi Gras 

Get decked out in purple, green and gold for a Mardi-gras themed training walk and make sure to have everyone wear beads! Fuel up after the walk with some crawfish ? or beignets! 

  1. Star Wars 

Walk in style as your favorite Star Wars character! Pretend your water bottle is a light saber and use the force to help you get up some hills. 

  1. Pink Party 

Are you so excited that you just can’t wait to be on the 3-Day? Get decked out in 3-Day gear from Shop Komen and display your pink for the world to see! Complete the day with a carbo-load of a 3-Day favorite, the Mac & Cheese! 

Have you done any themed training walks? Share your ideas in the comments below, and let us know if you use any of our ideas by taking pictures and tagging us on social media.