Lauren Inspires with Many Miles

On every Susan G. Komen 3-Day^® event, a special award is given to one individual who has contributed above and beyond in terms of fundraising and commitment to finding a cure for breast cancer. At the Komen 3-Day this year in San Diego, Lauren Wagner is being recognized for her amazing contribution to the 3-Day by participating in San Diego for the past eight years. “It’s hard to believe that I have raised almost $73,000 over eight years of walking and fundraising,” mentioned Lauren. “My inspiration to start walking came from my brother, ‘Moto Crew Michael’ who lost his wife Sally to breast cancer,” explained Lauren. “She was only 39 years old.” Michael began crewing in 2003, and Lauren first walked the 60-mile route in 2005. Even though she became involved in the 3-Day because of Sally, she continues to walk for friends and family – many of whom are survivors, but she also walks for some who have passed.

Lauren accepts the Milestone Award from Dr. Sheri on Friday night of the San Diego 3-Day

Lauren’s success in fundraising each year seems easy when she follows her own advice. She starts early, asks everyone, and especially lets them all know why she is walking. “Make it a little fun, too,” she says, “I’ve thrown Pink Bunco parties (aka ‘Bunco for Boobs’) which is a great way to raise a lot of money quickly while having fun with your friends and neighbors. (Oh, and you will be amazed at how many restaurants and local stores will donate gift cards, food, or items to be raffled off or used as Bunco prizes!)” Lauren’s infectious energy continues on to the event itself, even though it is before dawn on Friday morning.

Lauren breezes into camp after the first 20 miles of Day 1 of the San Diego 3-Day

“I keep coming back because I know that I am a part of something bigger!” Lauren’s excitement for the event seems to radiate onto all those around her. “We celebrate breast cancer survivors, we honor those who have lost their battle, and we help raise money and awareness to find a cure.” Lauren has some advice for the first-timers as well: “Once you get to the event, CELEBRATE! Enjoy your time, and don’t worry if you can’t walk all 60 miles. You did the hard part by raising the money. Now, take a deep breath, look around, and talk to all those other amazing walkers and crew, and enjoy the experience!”

A big salute to Lauren this weekend on the San Diego 3-Day!

Lauren celebrates Day 2 of the San Diego 3-Day with teammates and friends at Pit Stop 1

Seven Years Later…San Diego

Tiffany K starts the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® in San Diego for the first time…after seven years

“When my grandmother was diagnosed and treated for breast cancer in 1989, I made the move from Dallas to Oklahoma to be her primary caregiver,” said Tiffany this morning on the Susan G. Komen 3-Day^® in San Diego.

“I was only fourteen years old.”

“My family told me to call them in Texas if anything serious happened.” Tiffany’s experience helping her grandmother through treatment must have added to her determination in life. (Her grandmother is now a survivor of over 24 years!) Seven years ago, she successfully registered for the Komen 3-Day in Dallas and raised over $5,000, well above the minimum needed to walk the 60 miles. And then a walker’s nightmare occurred. “I had an almost full rupture of my Achilles tendon just ten days before the event,” said Tiffany resting in Pit Stop 1 after the first segment of Friday’s 20-mile course along beautiful Del Mar, California. The recovery from such a tear can be tedious and exhausting, and it put her out of walking a 3-Day® for years.

Team members of ‘Cliff’s Crew’ walk with new teammate Tiffany K on the San Diego 3-Day

In the meantime, Tiffany moved to Playa del Rey, California, and decided that 2013 would be the time to finally walk the 3-Day. “I’m going to make this happen!” she said to herself. She knew, however, that the walk would be easier with team support, and so she logged onto ‘The3Day.org’ website and started to post to the forums to see if she could join up with a team. “Team ‘Cliff’s Crew’ answered the call for me, and I felt good about walking with them after having met them a few times,” mentioned Tiffany, as some of the pink camoflage-clad members of the team approached.

Kellie T from Rossmoor, California, and Jeanne F from Santa Maria were ready to head back on the route. “We have 42 members total on the San Diego 3-Day this year,” they explained, “and we’re in the top five teams for fundraising with over $85,000!”

Say ‘hello’ to Tiffany on her first 3-Day this weekend in San Diego and to her great team ‘Cliff’s Crew’!

Thank You, Arizona 3-Day!

The Susan G. Komen 3-Day^® in Arizona this past weekend was much more than sunshine and good memories. It was a time for many to heal from personal loss, and it was a time to triumph over the past. For many, it was the first time that a Komen 3-Day had been attempted…and conquered. The 60-mile course started off with a beautiful pink sky on Friday morning, November 8 with the sounds of excitement and the booming voice of Dr. Sheri: “Let yourself be present, every step of the way!” The Survivors’ Circle made up of breast cancer survivors led the way out onto the streets of Gilbert, Arizona where the local fire department was already waiting to cheer them on! The day’s 19.1 miles passed quickly as groups such as Bright Beginnings Elementary School came out to cheer (and in their case, sing!) for the walkers. The city of Chandler welcomed the sea of pink walkers with pop-up cheering stations and firefighters of their own.

The participants finished the day with the cheerleaders and band from Desert Foothills High School welcoming them into camp at Benedict Park in Tempe. After dinner and some relaxation in the Bank of America massage chairs, walkers and crew enjoyed a camp show which included the fabulous local entertainers, the Sun City Palms. Bonny D gave a touching survivor speech that evening, and a special award, the Milestone Award, was given to Karen Kay Rush for her ten years of dedication to the 3-Day with countless time spent and with over $70,000 raised personally. Thank you, Karen!

“Day 2 is always the most difficult!” said one walker as she lined up for the opening of the route on Saturday. “We’ve started to get some blisters, and we know we’ve still got tomorrow.” The streets of Tempe and Phoenix received a serious dose of pink on Saturday as the banners were snatched up in camp and carried the 20 miles through the streets. The heat couldn’t beat the great attitude of the walkers and crew, however, and they were all cheered on by a New Balanced-sponsored cheerleading team at Pit Stop 2, the famous Sun Devil Fire and Alarm cheering station, and the elementary students from Kryene de las Lomas. Besides the incredible full drum set across from Pit Stop 3, the communities on Day 2 were wonderfully kind, cheering on the participants and handing out water and treats as the weather heated up. Back at camp, the crowd was serenaded by the classy a cappella group “Priority Male” and Chrystine H and Justine P gave speeches that will not be forgotten soon.

The final day of the Arizona 3-Day is always one of excitement and reflection. The 16-mile route for the day was dotted with community support, and the walkers were even treated to the Emerald Society Bagpipes who walked a portion of the early course before serenading the participants after Pit Stop 1. Scottsdale was as supportive as ever with some young saxophonists welcoming them into the old town where a large cheering station lined the shops. Family and friends gathered in Scottsdale Stadium to watch the procession of hundreds and hundreds of walkers and crew members enter the stadium and rededicate themselves to the fight against breast cancer. Thank you, Arizona, for an inspiring weekend!

ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHS

The 3-Day Blog

Category Archives: Inspiration

Lauren Inspires with Many Miles

Seven Years Later…San Diego

Thank You, Arizona 3-Day!