Easy Ways to Spread the 3-Day Spirit This Giving Season

After Giving Tuesday, we have officially kicked off the holiday season! This is a time for joy and family, and of course, giving to those in need. The Giving Season is when our hearts and minds are most with those in need, and when we work together to make a difference in their lives. That work includes fundraising to support Komen’s investments in cutting-edge research that will lead to new, more effective treatments, working in communities across the country to ensure all people can access the care they need, and mobilizing passionate supporters to make certain the voice of the breast cancer community is heard by policymakers.

These efforts can be as big or as small you like, and we are here to help make things as easy as possible. There are simple ways to spread the 3-Day love throughout the next few weeks, starting TODAY! Let’s get started…

Sign a friend up for the 3-Day TODAY

What better way to celebrate the Giving Season than with some giving of your own? Today (December 5) is the last day of our current registration discount, so you can register yourself or your future teammates for the 3-Day for only $35 – and you don’t even need a code! It will only take a few minutes and is budget-friendly for everyone on your list.

Whether you want to bring a new friend into our 3-Day Pink Bubble, or help someone you love return to our family, you know that the 3-Day will bring nothing but smiles and joy from the moment you register to those final steps across the finish line.

Remind everyone of the 3-Day’s impact

Your efforts this year, and in years past, have made a real difference in the fight against breast cancer. From your teammates to your donors and your supporters, everyone should know that the accomplishments they helped you achieve this year have made an impact.

You can check out our Facebook page to see how much the 3-Day in your city raised, and then let everyone know how that money was used! The 3-Day also has infographics and videos that explain how donations are aiding in the fight against breast cancer.

These infographics can be printed out and included in your fundraising letter, or you can link right to them if you prefer to send out fundraising emails. You can also link to any of the videos from our YouTube channel!

These explanations and inspirational messages will help thank your family and friends for your support, encourage your donors to continue to give, and provide inspiration throughout the holiday season.

Gather your family close

And that doesn’t just mean your biological family! The 3-Day family extends beyond that. It extends beyond your teammates and even your donors. Every one of us has to work together to expand our networks and spread the impact of the 3-Day. Celebrate the family you have, and the family you have built, by drawing them close and celebrating the end of another amazing year.

Have an all-pink holiday bash to thank everyone who has made your 3-Day journey possible this year! Think holiday cookies, your favorite 3-Day music, and maybe even a sing along with some of our 3-Day carols ? You’ll spread that holiday spirit in no time!

Why I Walk: First-Time Walker Emmie J. Spent Her 21st Birthday on the New England 3-Day

To Emmie Jeffcoat, commitment means “doing everything I am capable of to help find a cure.” It also meant spending her 21^st birthday as part of “the most heartwarming weekend ever” on the New England 3-Day!

Emmie had heard a lot about the 3-Day from her aunt (Coach Gayla from Dallas/Fort Worth!), but she still didn’t fully know what to expect. She didn’t anticipate being moved in the way she was over her three days in the New England 3-Day Pink Bubble. She decided to walk in 2019 because she hoped to inspire more young people to walk as well, but she’ll be back in 2020 because of the friends (of all ages) that she made during her 60-mile journey.

What began as a birthday celebration turned into a life-changing experience. Emmie is sharing with us just how much the 3-Day affected her, and why she will continue to commit 3 days.

How did you prepare for your 3-Day journey?

I didn’t follow the training guide as well as I should have. However, I did find that just getting used to being on my feet helped me a lot. I also walk 5-10 miles every day on campus just going to class, so I think that helped me, too! Fortunately for me, my campus is full of hills, so I was prepared for the hills on the walk.

Do you have any fundraising advice for first timers?

My best advice with fundraising would be exactly what my aunt told me: ask anyone and everyone! You never know who is going to have a connection to breast cancer or want to donate, so tell everyone about the walk and what it’s about. More than half of the people who donated to my fundraiser were people I had either never met or hadn’t seen in years. Social media played a HUGE part in my fundraising as well. Putting information on social media platforms helped me get my story out to more people.

Tell us about your overall 3-Day experience!

I have so many fond memories of my three-day experience!

I think I laughed harder with my Aunt than I ever have in my entire life. There’s not one specific memory of that, but just 3 days FULL of laughing until I could barely breathe.
I had the honor of meeting a survivor who was walking her 19th 3-day! Just talking to her and hearing her story made me realize the amount of strength these survivors have. I felt honored to be able to walk for them and be a small part of something so amazing. I know I had technically only been around her for three days, but she quickly became a huge role model for me. She was one of the coolest people I have ever met.
GEORGE! He was such a wonderful example of what true love looks like. He is the sweetest/toughest man, and I loved seeing him every day. I wish everyone in the world could meet George.
The Crew! The 3-Day crew was beyond awesome. I honestly don’t know how they manage. They had food, medical, pit stops, etc. Thank you, 3-Day Crew, for showing me how extraordinary the 3-Day is.
The most amazing ceremony Saturday night. I won’t give anything away, but I will say that night is one I will never forget. It opened my eyes to what the walk is really about.
Hearing “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond was also the best. It’s a song that everyone knows, so when it starts playing it’s so much fun to get a big group singing together!

The 3-Day is a big commitment in a variety of ways. What did this commitment mean to you?

I think the word “commitment” holds a whole new meaning now since I completed the walk. Commitment is making the choice to see something all the way through no matter what. Concerning breast cancer, I think commitment is making the decision to fight as hard as you possibly can. I think for families it means fighting with your loved one(s) throughout the entire process and sharing the strength it takes to get through something like that.

What are your plans for next year?

When I signed up for my first walk, I thought it was going to be a one-time thing I got to cross off my bucket list. However, after participating I realized that it is impossible to do just one! I haven’t decided which city yet, but you will definitely see me at another 3-Day in 2020! My goal is to do one 3-Day walk per year. You will also be able to catch me at some cheer stations dressed up and ready to make some walkers smile!

The 3-Day, Through Your Lens

59858523_10214725596038183_2377386547205898240_n May is National Photography Month, and we know the 3-Day is the picture perfect spot to take photos with your friends, family and favorite 3-Day people. We asked our social media community to send us their favorite photos from the 3-Day, and you all delivered! Seeing your smiling faces, bold steps and teamwork in the fight against breast cancer is an inspiring way to celebrate this month in photos. And it has us more excited than ever for our 2019 3-Days! Add your photos in the comments of this blog to show why you Commit 3 Days and go further than anyone else can in the fight against breast cancer. Happy snapping 3-Dayers! ?