How the MORE THAN PINK Walk Led Me to the 3-Day

Nisha Jaime and her team, "The Fight Club," at the MORE THAN PINK Walk in Los Angeles October 2023.

Nisha Jaime and her team, The Fight Club, at the MORE THAN PINK Walk in Los Angeles October 2023.

When I was diagnosed with HER2-positive invasive ductal carcinoma in 2022, I couldn’t help but cry—a lot. At 42, I was a busy mama of three, including twin boys, age 7, and a 4-year-old little girl recovering from her third open-heart surgery. The shock and sadness were overwhelming, but once I started to process my diagnosis I turned to social media for support. I wanted to find others who had been through what I was about to face, and who I could draw strength from. That’s when I found Susan G. Komen®.  

Through social media posts, I found information about Komen’s MORE THAN PINK Walk® in Los Angeles, happening that fall, just months after my diagnosis. I remember telling myself: “Once I get better, I am going to do it.” And that’s exactly what I did.  

The following year, I signed up, recruited a team of more than 50 members (made up of my family and closest friends) and we raised more than $5,100. The walk was inspiring and beautiful. But when it ended, I wished it could have been longer. I felt like there was more to experience, more to give. I felt such a connection with the Komen community, that I wanted to do more. I signed up for the MORE THAN PINK Walk again last year as a participant and a volunteer. It was as rewarding as my first walk, but again I wanted more time to meet more people and hear more inspiring stories of hope and resilience. 

Then, last fall, I found out about the Susan G. Komen 3-Day®. I saw posts from participants on social media who walked the 60-mile journey, and I found their online videos of the Pink Bubble to be so full of support and strength. I was inspired. I knew right away that the 3-Day was exactly what I had been searching for. The 3-Day would give me more time with others who understand this journey, and it would give me an opportunity to do my part in helping end breast cancer. 

So, this year, I signed up for the San Diego 3-Day. My fundraising and training are just getting started, but I’m committed. I currently walk two miles a day and I’ve been sharing my story on social media to help me reach my fundraising goal. I also have plans to host some garage sales in the spring and a lemonade stand with my children to get closer to my goal while spending time with my family.  

While I plan to walk the entire 60 miles, I will be giving myself some grace at the 3-Day. I’m in my first year of survivorship and for me, every step is a win. I am so excited to experience the Pink Bubble firsthand and meet more survivors like me. The fear that comes after a breast cancer diagnosis has been overwhelming at times, but I know the 3-Day will be a safe, supportive space and I can’t wait for November to be here so I can head out to San Diego.  

A lot of my friends have asked me why I want to take on such a big challenge so soon after being diagnosed. This is what I tell them: “I want to remind myself of everything I have overcome with chemotherapy, surgeries and radiation. I want to honor my loved ones I have lost to breast cancer. And I want to do whatever I can to help minimize the impact of breast cancer.”  

And then, I invite them to join me at the 3-Day.  

Whether you walk, volunteer or donate, I hope you’ll join me too.  

Visit the 3-Day to register and learn more. 

Bank of America Recognizes Rachel Brown’s Outstanding Fundraising Efforts for Susan G. Komen 3-Day® 

Rachel Brown receiving her donation from Bank of America for being a top fundraiser of the Susan G. Komen 3-Day.

Rachel receiving her $500 donation from Bank of America.

When Rachel Brown’s mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004, she was immediately inspired after seeing an advertisement for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day ®, a 60-mile walk over the course of three days aimed at raising funds to help end breast cancer forever. Since then, Rachel has remained dedicated to the 3-Day, earning well-deserved recognition as a top fundraiser. 

Rachel and her team, the Bouncin’ Buckeyes, have walked in the 3-Day since 2005 in various states. Rachel has completed an impressive 30 walks, often braving challenging conditions, including freezing temperatures and sideways rain in Dallas 2023, and sleeping in tents amid a rainstorm. Despite these obstacles, the team has stayed committed to supporting the 3-Day cause.  

“We keep doing this because when we listen to the speakers talk about their breast cancer journeys at the opening and closing ceremonies and the walkers, it makes you realize you are making a difference,” Rachel said. “We always remember why we walk. It’s not easy to do the 3-Day, but we are really driven by wanting to make a difference.” 

Rachel Brown and her team, the Bouncin' Buckeyes

Rachel and the Bouncin’ Buckeyes

To date, Rachel and the Bouncin’ Buckeyes have raised over $776,000 for the 3-Day. As an individual participant, Rachel has raised $371,461 since her first walk. Her remarkable efforts were celebrated at the 2024 San Diego 3-Day, where she was honored as the Top Individual Fundraiser at the Bank of America Celebration of Champions, earning $500 from Bank of America to support her 2025 fundraising goal.  

Additionally, the Bouncin’ Buckeyes received the Small But Mighty Team Award for raising an incredible $78,500. Bank of America made a $500 donation to Rachel and her two team captains, to support their 3-Day fundraising efforts.     

“When I think back to where we started and where we are now, it’s wild to see what we’ve accomplished,” Rachel said. “Receiving the Bank of America donations was awesome and really kicked-off our enthusiasm for the 2025 3-Day.”  

Rachel and the Bouncin’ Buckeyes work tirelessly each year to reach their 3-Day goals. The team ranges in age from 23 to 72. Her mother, Carol, is a 20-year survivor who has walked in three 3-Days and been a crew member for 12 years. Her younger sister has also walked and crewed for the event, and her older sister supports the team at the events by making coffee runs, coordinating off-site lunches and making sure the team has everything they need to make it across the 3-Day finish line.  

“There’s millions of people that could do this, but there are only thousands that will do it,” Rachel said about the 3-Day. “We are a unique and amazing group of people who do this because we want to help. If it were easy, everyone would do it.”  

Rachel along the 3-Day route

Rachel along the 3-Day route

Rachel says she is overwhelmingly grateful to the generous supporters who donate to her team year after year and make reaching the 3-Day fundraising goals possible. 

Bank of America has been a Susan G. Komen ® partner since 2009, and serves as the National Presenting Sponsor of the Komen 3-Day ®, Race for the Cure ® and MORE THAN PINK Walk® events in the U.S. Bank of America also helps support Komen through its Pink Ribbon Banking Affinity products, which has raised over $14 million to date. 

To learn more about the 3-Day visit the3day.org. 

To donate to Rachel’s 3-Day fundraiser visit the3day.org/goto/rachelbrown2025.  

 

Cold Weather Fundraising Tips

A participant at the San Diego 3-Day

With the colder months upon us, there are still a lot of ways to fundraise for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® event without leaving the comfort of your home! Whether you’re hosting a movie night with family and friends or sharing a fundraising update via email or social media while you’re cozied up on your couch, your efforts will make an impact.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Birthday: In lieu of a gift for your birthday, ask your friends and family on Facebook to make a donation to your 3-Day fundraising efforts.

Email Chain: Ask everyone to forward your fundraising email to 10 more people!

Profile Photos: Change your Facebook profile or cover photo to a 3-Day image. Get one at The3Day.org/Logos or pull it from our 3-Day Facebook page. Then ask for donations in your status updates!

Facebook App: Boost your fundraising efforts and promote your participation in the 3-Day by fundraising with Facebook. Add the 3-Day Facebook app to your Facebook page and use it to post regularly. Your posts will automatically include a link directly to your fundraising page.

Corporate Matching: Ask your company if they have a Corporate Matching Program and take advantage of that if you can. Search our database to see if your company offers a matching gifts program. Many of your donors may also work for companies that have a program like this, so their donation could double simply by filling out a form from their human resources department and following the steps to submit a matching gift. Remind them to check with their company as well!

Corporate Sponsor Shirt: Identify one corporate sponsor that you can ask for a large donation. Offer to wear their shirt for advertising while training and on the event.

Winter Movie Night: Organize a movie night with your favorite and encourage attendees to bring their coziest blankets and pajamas. Sell tickets for entry and offer concessions like popcorn, hot cocoa and other snacks.

Ask your neighbors: Write a note to all of the neighbors on your block or in your apartment building to ask for donations. Include an update on your training and fundraising progress.

We hope these fundraising ideas help you reach your goal! Stay motivated, and remember, every donation brings us one step closer to a world without breast cancer.

Don’t forget! We also have a long list of year-round strategies in our 101 Fundraising Ideas!