For nearly 35 years, our organization has changed the way the world thinks about, talks about and treats breast cancer, and we are about to break new ground again. None of what’s happened or is about to happen would be possible without women and men in communities nationwide who share our passion to see this disease eliminated once and for all, and who take action. People like you – our amazing Komen 3-Day walkers.
From left: Loris Maris, Vice President of Komen Affiliate Network, Me (Dr. Judy Salerno), and Amber Livingston, 3-Day Specialist
I was lucky enough to join some of you in Philadelphia for what turned out to be a beautiful weekend (which I hear has not always been the case). And you all looked fantastic in your More Than Pink capes!
Passing out More Than Pink capes
To most people, just the idea of walking 60 miles is exhausting. But you know that with the strains, blisters and bruises comes hope. And more importantly, progress.
The early 1980s weren’t that long ago, but it’s hard to remember that there was a time when the words “breast cancer” weren’t spoken in polite company. Or when breast cancer was perceived to be just one disease (and treated as such, with a one-size-fits-all approach) instead of the family of diseases we know it to be today.
Through our bold community of supporters, we’ve created a new reality. Every day we learn about breakthroughs, many of which Komen has helped to fund. We are moving toward the day when we can deliver precision medicine for every individual’s unique tumor, to improve all patients’ quality of life and to detect and cure breast cancer at its earliest stages. And perhaps to even prevent breast cancer.
This is possible, thanks to you. With every step, mile, pink tutu and colorful wig, you have elevated our mission and touched the lives of millions. You proudly wear your pink bling because you know that it’s much, much more than a color. It’s a movement, and one that makes a tremendous impact.
We at Komen recently came up with a new way to describe those who go above and beyond for our mission: “More Than Pink.” The goal is to recognize and celebrate the impact that one person taking action – no matter how large or small – can make.
Tina at the Seattle 3-Day in 2015
Like 3-Day’s own Tina McDonough. After losing a dear friend to breast cancer, Tina realized that she had to do something to ensure that no one else died of the disease. In 2007, Tina began walking in the Seattle 3-Day. Her team, “Valley Girls and Guys!” continued to grow each year, and today is one of the largest 3-Day teams in the country. To date, her team has raised more than $2.6 million for breast cancer research and community programs. Further, in Tina’s hometown of Seattle, she founded her own nonprofit with the goal of providing direct patient support to women and families battling breast cancer.
Tina is More Than Pink. So are all of you. You said “Yes!” to walking 60 miles … and raising $2,300 … and doing training walks … and talking about our mission with your friends and family. Your time, sweat, and financial investment have already made an enormous difference in this fight.
But don’t retire the moleskin or the HikeGoo just yet.
Despite all the progress that has been made, the reality is that 40,000 women and men still die of breast cancer every year in the U.S.
We can, and will, do better. Starting now.
Komen has set a Bold Goal: To reduce the current number of breast cancer deaths in the U.S. by 50 percent within the next 10 years.
It’s an aggressive goal, but we know it is achievable. To get there, we will focus on our organization’s strengths in two core areas:
- Investing in breakthrough research to find new treatments for the most aggressive forms of breast cancer like metastatic disease, triple-negative, Luminal B and inflammatory breast cancer, and to leverage transformative technology to detect breast cancer at the very earliest stage.
- Ensuring quality breast cancer care for all by identifying ways to overcome the financial, geographic and cultural barriers that too many people experience in our country.
This work is already underway, and through the 3-Day blog, we’ll make sure you continue to be updated on this vital mission work that your walks support. The 3-Day team has been hard at work pulling together stories, research updates and more. In the coming months, get ready to meet the scientists and clinicians who are in the midst of this fight – women and men who are also More Than Pink.
Together, we’re going to change that 40,000 number, and the future. Because as much as we all love the Komen 3-Day, wouldn’t it be wonderful if we didn’t need to walk anymore? If this devastating disease didn’t take our mothers, friends, daughters and loved ones?
I know we’re all eager for that day.
And big congratulations to Friends With Heart, which was both the largest team on the Philadelphia 3-Day (57 members) and the top fundraising team, with $93,563 raised this year. This new team is made up of members of two former Philly 3-Day teams: Breast Friends of Pennsylvania and Men With Heart. The lifetime amount raised by Friends With Heart—$915,663—is reflective of what the newly combined team, under their prior names, has raised since 2004. Friends With Heart was captained by Frank McSorley and Sharon Slosarik.
Kathleen has been part of the 3-Day for 11 years, with this year’s Philadlephia walk being her 12th event. In that time, she has raise $68,372, and as captain of Team Girlapalooza, has led the team to an astonishing total of over $1 million raised in the team’s history. With that kind of achievement, you’d think that 3-Daying was Kathleen’s full-time job, but she also finds time to serve as a licensed tour guide in Washington, DC (yes, her training walks do often become tours as well), and to cultivate her loves for Bruce Springsteen, Diet Dr. Pepper and blue Bic pens. Kathleen’s Team Girlapalooza co-founder, best friend and “name twin” Kathleen R. shared, “What sums up Kathleen the most, especially in regard to the 3-Day, is that she helps those around her be more successful though her generous sharing of her time, experience, creativity and passion. Her motivation and inspiration are unparalleled.” Julie, another friend and teammate, also told us, “I first met Kathleen when she attended one of my training walks over a decade ago. A few years later, we reconnected when Team Girlapalooza walked in that year’s Washington, DC 3-Day. At that event, a friendship began that grows stronger with each passing day. Kathleen is fiercely loyal – to her family, to her friends, to her faith, and to the causes she believes in. At the top of her list of causes are the 3-Day and eradicating breast cancer in our lifetime. Kathleen’s crowning achievement as team captain is the team’s fundraising success – raising over ONE MILLION DOLLARS in total since our first walk as a team. We would not have achieved that milestone without her leadership, coaching and support. I am proud to be a member of Team Girlapalooza and am grateful to call Kathleen my friend.” Congratulations, Kathleen, and thank you for all you do for the 3-Day!
Rosaria is a 10-year 3-Day participant, and this year’s Philly event was her 10th event. She has been an integral part of the Philadelphia crew, serving in a variety of roles but most recently, returning as the Senior Captain of Route teams for the past 3 years. She organizes the annual 3-Day Reunion party and is truly committed to building a 3-Day family and encouraging crew and walkers alike to return year after year. She is a strong leader, an excellent example of an ideal crew member and a great asset for us to cultivate leadership, community and awareness for the Philadelphia 3-Day. Becky, one of Rosaria’s good friends, said this about her: “I didn’t have the pleasure of meeting Rosaria until my second or third year as a walker. She was always so busy running around, I never saw her my first year, nor did I realize just how much she did for the event. When I think of Rosaria, the first word that comes to mind is ‘selfless.’ She spends time and money each year supporting others in the event – donating to help others meet the minimum to walk, making cards, answering questions from other crew members, dealing with various issues and problems with hardly a whisper of complaint. Rosaria truly has a heart full of love and it is an honor and an inspiration to know her.” Another friend, Christine, added, “Rosaria is a kind, gentle soul. She is thoughtful, caring and will go to great lengths to cover all bases. Despite her battles and losses, she continues to give of herself. Rosaria always has a way of looking on the bright side. I admire that in a person and am proud to call her my friend.” We’re proud to have you as part of our 3-Day family too, Rosaria. Congratulations!
And big congratulations to Feet to Beat Breast Cancer, Atlanta’s top fundraising team, with $54,724 raised this year. In their 12 years as a team, they have raised $698,774. Feet to Beat Breast Cancer is captained by Carolyn Parks and had 18 team members this year.
Alison has been a remarkable 3-Day participant for 12 years; the 2016 Atlanta 3-Day, where Alison was part of the Camp Support crew team, was Alison’s 24th 3-Day event. In her lifetime as a 3-Dayer, Alison has worn dozens of hats (figuratively and literally, as she is usually in a costume of some kind), both as a walker and a crew member, and has personally raised over $56,000 for the 3-Day. Her friend and fellow crew member, Jake, said about Alison, “Talk about being dedicated to the cause… I am pretty sure when Alison sweats at the 3-Day, it comes out pink.She has been a captain for one of the largest and most logistically challenging crews for as long as I can remember. Then she started taking her talents all over the country to captain other crew teams in other 3-Day cities. Alison may be small, but she has a big fire within her. And when that fire is pointed at you: watch out! I’m just glad she is pointing that fire at breast cancer.” Another crew friend, Julie, shared this about Alison: “Through the years, events, and shared experiences with Alison, I continue to grow more in awe of her. Each year she dedicates her time to multiple 3-Day events, often as a Crew Captain.I joined the staff of the Greater Atlanta Affiliate of Susan G. Komen in 2014. And now, every day, I meet people who can afford a mammogram thanks to Alison. There are people across this country, and maybe even the world, who are alive today because Alison cared enough to step up to the challenge of walking and crewing those 24 3-Days, and because she knew that raising a minimum amount of money was just the beginning of what she could do, so she boldly chose to push for more.” Congratulations, Alison, and thank you for your amazing spirit and your years of commitment to the 3-Day!
The recipient of the 2016 Atlanta 3-Day Local Impact award has truly made her mark on the Atlanta 3-Day family. Carolyn Parks first walked the 3-Day in Atlanta in 2001, and has since walked in Atlanta (and nowhere else) 12 times, achieving a lifetime fundraising total of $52,700. Carolyn’s friend Mandy said this about her amazing friend: “Carolyn is the most caring and compassionate person I know! Her constant and tireless commitment to put others before herself makes her such an inspiration to more people than she probably realizes. Year after year, not only does Carolyn continue to lead the top fundraising team for the Atlanta 3-Day, she is constantly giving back to her community through her work with Meals on Wheels, American Red Cross and other local charities. Carolyn brings hope to us all and she truly wants to make a difference.” Carolyn is also the team captain of Feet to Beat Breast Cancer, the top fundraising team in Atlanta this year. Her her friend and teammate, Debbie, shared, “I’m not sure I have met anyone more dedicated to the 3-Day than Carolyn. We met when my five friends decided to walk the 3-Day because I was going through breast cancer and chemo. As luck (or fate) would have it, they joined her team (Feet To Beat Breast Cancer) and she made our first 3-Day experience incredible. Carolyn always puts others before herself and is constantly thinking of fundraising ideas because of her commitment to this cause and to helping others. I am so grateful that Carolyn was one of the people sent to me during my fight with cancer. She inspires me to be a better person every day and I know the whole Feet To Beat Team feels the same way.” You inspire us too, Carolyn! Thank you for your incredible dedication to the 3-Day!