Crew Heroes: The Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day Medical Team

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The 3-Day could not happen without the tireless work of all our crew members. They are up before the sun rises, working hard to make sure that every part of the 3-Day, and every participant on those 60 miles, has the best and most inspiring experience possible. One integral crew team is the Medical Crew, who support everyone all weekend long.

This team provides medical assistance and evaluation for minor injuries, at pit stops along the route and at camp. The treat all kinds of issues, including sunburn, allergic reactions, abrasions and lacerations, dehydration, hyponatremia, asthma and some respiratory problems, hypo- and hyperthermia, and blisters. While most walkers make it through the 3-Day without medical issues, it’s comforting to know that there’s a crew of professionals there to help us if we need it.

Janette, one of the leaders on our Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day Medical Team, and a Parker University Clinical Faculty Doctor-Associate Professor, says that consistent and dedicated service is what the 3-Day Medical Crew prides itself on.

with Dr Keith Johnson - 12 yr vet of DFW Komen

“Some of the Medical Crew are available 24/7 and that is an amazing feat! I am honored to be in that tent with so many dedicated professionals.”

Some of those in the tent with Janette are her 12-15 interns, assisted by 10-12 staff doctors, who all come from Parker University. Interns are required to apply and are then chosen for the 3-Day team according to their level of skill with sports-related injury and an essay to the selection committee indicating why they want to serve. Janette loves serving with her team, and thinks being a part of the 3-Day is such an important experience for her young interns to see how much good the medical profession does in the world.

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“Exposing young interns to this life-changing event has been such an eye-opening experience for me. The interns are literally changed-forever over the 3-Day, and to be present to help, assist and observe their transformation has been life changing for me also.

“Being one of the lead Doctors serving the Medical Team is a huge responsibility to say the least. We are all so very serious that the care we give is the absolute BEST possible.”

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Aside from the professional development and inspiration that she gets from the 3-Day, Janette also loves connecting with the walkers, hearing their stories, and helping them achieve their goals. On event this year in Dallas/Fort Worth, she teared up talking about what an impact participants have had on her personally. She walked the final mile this year, and one of her favorite memories of the whole weekend was watching one of her interns cross the finish line to cheers from onlookers.

“The 3-Day is truly a servant’s paradise; while putting others before ourselves, we are reminded how fortunate we are in many, many ways.”

Keep an eye out for Janette and the Parker University team on-event next year, because she promises that “as long as we are invited to serve, we will represent Parker University to the best of our abilities.”

Thanks for being there if we need you, Medical Crew!

Melissa and David: 3-Day Power Spouses

Today is Spouse’s Day, and we are lucky to have many spouses, along with significant others of all kinds, walk with us on the 3-Day. Their love and support mirrors the love and support that surround the pink bubble on our 60-mile journey. It’s inspiring to say the least! One such couple is David and Melissa from the Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day.

They have been together for a decade, and now walk the 3-Day with their daughter Alex, plus four other couples! Together, they have walked and crewed and made themselves a staple in the “powerful pink bubble of love” that is the 3-Day.

But it all started with Melissa. She is a breast cancer survivor (20 years now, and counting!), and walked her first 3-Day in 2007 along with her daughter. At the time, David was their walker stalker, but soon he was walking and crewing alongside them.

Melissa says that even now, “Doing the 3-Day as a couple is an extraordinary way to do the event! Sharing something that is so important keeps us focused on our shared values and we are there for each other when training is tough, motivation wanes, or simply to enjoy each other’s company. We both have full time careers that take up a lot of time and the world is a busy place. Training walks are ?our time’ to shut down phones and just be together, talk about life, and plan for the future. We now walk long walks year-round.

“When we are on event, we have the advantage of having our partner and best friend on site to share the experience, to take care of each other, to share that extra dessert in the evening or to bring each other coffee in the morning!”

That is the case whether you’re walking or crewing! Melissa and David have done it all, supporting each other when David didn’t think 60 miles was a big deal (Melissa still reminds him of this) or when Melissa took a tumble as part of bike safety crew (David helped her get back up and out onto the route). Those long miles together bring them closer every year.

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Melissa says that no matter how you get involved, the 3-Day is a great way to connect with your loved ones.

“The 3-Day brings us back to the sense of community where we are all in it together and if anyone is in need, then we have all failed — so the spirit of being there for each other is present in everything we do throughout the weekend. David and I live our marriage like this as much as possible, but life today can make us all a bit self-centered. The 3-Day always brings a wonderful experiential reminder of how powerful kindness really can be when someone is tired, hurting, losing motivation or simply walking with sadness and grief. There is no substitute for a kind word and a helping hand.”

Since they have started participating together, David has also spoken at the Opening Ceremony in Melissa’s honor, and Melissa spoke at the Camp Show in 2017. They are also training walk leaders and members of the Komen Advisory Council. The 3-Day has become a part of their life and their marriage, and they encourage other couples to also participate together.

“I would say that any couple who are considering walking together should jump in. There is plenty of space for alone time and together time and time with your friends on the event. There are only upsides to walking with your partner — or even walking while a partner is on the crew. Making the 3-Day a family affair helps in every aspect of the event.”

Do you know a 3-Day couple, or are you part of one? Tell us how the 3-Day has brought you and your spouse closer in the comments!

Dynamic Duo: Father and Daughter Walking Together for a Cure

“Just one look at you,
And I know it’s gonna be…
A lovely day”

Lovely Day, Bill Withers

Katie S. and her team listened to this song every morning on the 3-Day as they got ready to walk, just like in years past. It helped her get moving and excited for the 20 miles ahead. This year though, she had extra motivation to help her take on those 60 miles. Her dad, Dave, walked with her in honor of his wife (Kate’s mother) Roxanne.

“We were a father-daughter duo named ?Our Team Rox!’ and we came together to celebrate my mom, Roxanne, who is a 20-year survivor.”

Katie has been walking the 3-Day for many years, first in San Diego, and then other cities as well. She’s already signed up for the Twin Cities 3-Day in 2018, and says that she’s “hooked” on the pink bubble.

“I’ve never felt so much love and support from a community. My dad got involved through my experience and started by crewing in Seattle 2015. We’re both committed to participating in the 3-Day (either by donating, crewing or walking) until there’s a cure. We think it’s important to support this cause and advocate for education and treatment so others don’t have to experience the devastation that comes from this diagnosis.”

The pain of a diagnosis is one Katie’s family knows all too well. There is a history of breast cancer in her family, and she has already lost a grandmother and great-aunt to the disease. That’s why her mother went in for a doctor-recommended mammogram at 39, and was unfortunately diagnosed with breast cancer. Thanks to early detection, Roxanne was able to undergo a double mastectomy and avoid radiation and chemotherapy all together. Since then, she has been cancer-free for two decades, and was there to cheer on “Our Team Rox!” as they crossed the finish line this year in Dallas/Fort Worth.

Katie explains, “It was incredibly special for [me and my dad] to walk together, but what made it even better was having my mom there to cheer us on. She’s the foundation of our family and the reason we walk, so to see her waiting for us at the finish line was an incredible moment.”

It was a moment that was years in the making! Since 2014, Katie has made it clear that she wanted her dad to walk with her. After battling arthritis and a stent in his heart, Dave worked up to walking with Katie this year. They kept each other motivated all weekend long.

“I couldn’t be prouder of him!” Katie said with a smile. “It was literally a dream come true.”

They will continue to walk and dream together for years to come, until we find a cure.