Meet Ali P., our 2024 New England Crew Impact Award Winner!
Since her first Susan G. Komen 3-Day® 16 years ago as a member of the Youth Corps, Ali has participated 18 times and has raised a lifetime total of nearly $14,000. To this day, she plays an imperative role in keeping the program afloat and thriving.
“Ali has always embodied the Komen 3-Day to me. She is an incredibly dedicated leader, teacher, and, most importantly, friend. If it weren’t for her hard work, organization, and advocacy, the Youth Corps would not look like it does. As one of the founding members of the Youth Corps when she was a young girl herself, to the repeat leader she has become, Ali has always made sure the Youth Corps mission is a success.” —Bailey M.
What was your inspiration to do your first 3-Day®?
My mom had walked the 3-Day for years with her sister, Rose, who was battling breast cancer. At the time, I was very young, but I got to see my mom and aunt at camp (back when camp was outside, moved each night, and was open to friends and family), and at the Closing Ceremony; I immediately knew I wanted to get involved and support the cause. A few years later, the Youth Corps started here in Boston, and I jumped at the chance to join the team. It was one of the best experiences ever, and one that I will never forget.
What has brought you back to the 3-Day year after year?
The 3-Day is an amazing event that supports an extremely important cause that is near and dear to my heart. While I initially joined the 3-Day to support my aunt Rose’s battle and triumph over breast cancer, after my first event in New England 2006, I was hooked. I made so many new friends that quickly became family to me, and I looked forward to joining forces with them each year in the fight against breast cancer.
However, in 2012 my world was rocked, reminding me how cruel this disease is when my grandmother Rosemarie, my mom Cathy, and my Aunt Joanne were all diagnosed with breast cancer. Within a six-month span, three more women on my mom’s side of the family had breast cancer. It was then that I vowed to participate in the 3-Day until we find the cures and there is no need for the walk anymore.
What is your favorite aspect of crewing the 3-Day?
My favorite aspect of crewing the 3-Day is the Youth Corps. Maybe I’m biased because I was a member as a kid and have been a Youth Corps leader 12 times, but seeing the smile they bring to walkers is special. Outside of the Youth Corps, it’s being able to help and support others on event. I know firsthand that walking 60 miles is no easy feat, so being there for others in any way I can is extremely rewarding.
What is your best advice to anyone crewing the 3-Day?
Talk to everyone, and I mean everyone! Listen to their stories, share yours, make new friends. Smile at someone, say hi, give them a high five — even the smallest actions make a world of difference. And most importantly, enjoy every moment and have fun! Don’t get too caught up in your task that you forget why you are there.
What’s a fun fact about you?
I have run eight marathons, six in the United States, one in London, one in Germany, and have individually raised over $50,000 while doing so. My goal is to complete all of the world’s major marathons, and I am only one marathon away from doing so.
I first noticed a mass in my left breast around September or October of 2003 [at the age of 35, but] I was nursing my newborn daughter without difficulty, so I didn’t think much about it. I had my first OB/GYN appointment after giving birth in January, 2004 where I mentioned the mass to my doctor, and he immediately sent in a referral to a surgeon. I followed through with that appointment and the surgeon ordered an ultrasound. Results were reported as nothing unusual, perhaps a blocked milk duct and it was recommended I return after cessation of breast feeding if the mass was still present. My daughter stopped nursing in April of 2004 and the mass remained, so I called for an appointment with my primary doctor. He was on vacation, so I made the appointment with another doctor in May of 2004 when a follow up ultrasound was ordered. The same doctor that interpreted my first ultrasound also viewed the second and the report came back stating the mass seemed to be slightly smaller and to check back in six months.
[In November] I was able to get an appointment with my primary doctor who asked if anyone had recommended a mammogram, to which I said no. Right then he put in the order for a mammogram, but I put off the appointment until right after Christmas the following month. Shortly after the mammogram, I got a call to schedule a biopsy. The possibility of cancer still had not crossed my mind. Avoidance, maybe?
On January 19, 2005, I received a call at work from the surgeon instructing me to go to the office immediately. My boss’ wife went with me and I was given the diagnosis of breast cancer. I don’t remember the staging classification, but the tumor was 7cm and estrogen positive. A flurry of appointments with the oncologist and surgeons followed; my head was spinning! All I could think about was that I had an 18-month-old daughter at home.
The first oncologist recommended chemotherapy, surgery then more chemo. The neo-adjuvant therapy was to shrink the tumor for better margins for surgery, but I was not fond of that route, so I sought out a second opinion. [The second doctor’s] recommendation was a full mastectomy of the left breast, auxiliary lymph node dissection followed by chemo and radiation. Breast conserving surgery was not an option in his opinion, so surgery was scheduled for February 2005. My final diagnosis after a tissue test came back as estrogen+, HER2+ with no lymph node involvement. Treatment, starting April 2005, would include 8 rounds with the combination of Taxotere, Cytoxan and Adriamycin, over a month of radiation, 5 years Letrozole and 1 year of Herceptin. I was one of the “lucky” ones and didn’t feel terrible while going through chemo; I actually worked the entire time. However, I was thrown for a loop in May of 2005 when I was re-classified as stage 4 and my cancer had spread to a rib. Due to the re-staging, I decided to have my right breast and ovaries removed in the spring of 2006.
My first reconstruction was a train wreck! I ended up having a latissimus flap reconstruction at UCSD which was rough, but the results were impressive. I am now approaching the 20th anniversary of my diagnosis. I am still on Letrozole and will continue with the Herceptin infusion every three weeks until it no longer works. I have an echocardiogram every three months to check my heart function as the Herceptin can be cardio toxic. My oncologist also orders a PET scan every year. Thankfully, I have been NED (no evidence of disease) for 15+ years. When I received my diagnosis, I thought I wouldn’t see my daughter start kindergarten and now she is 2 years away from a college degree in Agriculture Education! She has been my beacon of hope all these years!
[I first heard about the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® from] a coworker of mine who lost her mother to breast cancer and walked in 2006, who made me promise to walk with her in 2007. Did I think in 2007 that I would still be walking in 2024? Heck no! I come back year after year because, even though there have been amazing breakthroughs in treatment, there is still so much that needs to be accomplished, and it takes funds for research and patient support.
I know I am one of the lucky ones, but there are so many who are no longer with us. I have moments of survivor guilt when I ask, “Why me? What makes me different from the others? Why has treatment worked for me and not them?” In my head I can rationalize the scientific reasons, but my heart is another matter. My heart aches for the ones we have lost and the loved ones they have left behind.
Sometimes it is hard to put the feelings into words, but the Komen 3-Day is a feeling like nothing I have ever experienced before. The sense of camaraderie is overwhelming. Everyone is working toward the same goal and purpose…to end breast cancer. Walking every year with my team Powered by Optimism is an absolute joy. This team is my “framily”—friends who have become family. I couldn’t do it without them! For those interested in the 3-Day®, I tell everyone to come out to Opening or Closing Ceremonies, see us on the route or join a training walk and talk to us to find out what it is all about. Sign up to walk one day if you are unsure about all three.
We kicked off the 2024 3-Day season in historic New England where members of the Pink Bubble gathered from all across the country between August 23-25 to participate in the momentous event! Together, 800 walkers and 190 crew members raised a total of $2.3 million in the fight against breast cancer.
Day 1
New England 3-Dayers entered the Pink Bubble with last year’s Rookie of the Year—Bank of America’s very own Marilyn M. kicking off the Opening Ceremony. Together, nearly 1,000 walkers and crew gathered to ring in the first day with cheers, pins, smiles, and stretches. As a reminder as to why we walk, breast cancer survivor Jessica C. shared how much disparity she’s seen throughout her treatment, proclaiming “this is a very common story… disparities in healthcare often correlate with race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status; why should I have access to care because I’m white and have access to insurance? Don’t we all deserve equal care?” She reminded us of the work that our funds do to combat these issues and passed the mic over to BB, a co-survivor who has both supported and been supported by her daughter, who is also a survivor. Larry W. then raised our Promise Flag in honor of his late wife, Theresa, and late friend Jeannie for whom he walks, in hopes that others don’t have to face what these two incredible women had to face. To kick off the journey, we invited survivors and thrivers to lead the way on the route to embark on the New England 3-Day for their first 20 miles.
Starting from the beautiful Marriott Copley Place, they paraded into Brookline and Chestnut Hill where they were met with stunning views, Boston College, and a chance to connect with one another. One walker was greeted by her three-year-old daughter who was offering everyone high-fives along the route; she has attended the 3-Day with her mother every year since she was 7 months old! They also got to experience a fun baseball themed pit stop before fueling up with a delicious lunch to continue the second half of their day. Before returning to camp, walkers passed by Boston University and MIT, Komen Grantees who continue to perform outstanding breast cancer research each day.
The Pink Bubble welcomed our Last Walker back home to enjoy the relaxing Bank of America massage chairs and a pasta and meatballs dinner before the Celebration of Champions! Bank of America rewarded our Top Fundraisers from Rookie of the Year to Top Fundraising Team with donations up to $500 for their 2025 3-Day fundraising. We also presented our Milestone Award and Crew Impact Award Winners. Additionally, Bank of America hosted a raffle where five New England 3-Day participants won $250 toward their 2025 fundraising efforts and some swag to accompany it. Our 3-Day hosts were joined on stage by Youth Corps and a few participants to learn a fun new dance (don’t worry, it could be done seated, too!). With Day 1 complete, walkers headed to bed to rest their feet for Day 2.
Day 2
The day started and ended with the sun high in the sky as well-rested walkers took to the streets of Boston at 8:00 a.m. accompanied by 2-Day Walkers. Together, they made their way through the Underground Ink Block before passing by the Old State House. They were then met by a Bank of America cheering station adorned with encouraging employees offering pink lemonade, water, candy, and lots of pink goodies like socks, headbands, and pom poms. Shortly after, they passed by Fenway Park where a lively crew of Pink Bubble supporters and walkers gathered, singing Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond.
As they continued their round of 20 miles, walkers got to see one of Komen’s grantees, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, where breast cancer patients have access to more than 40 clinical trials at a time — many of which are changing the standard of care worldwide and are not available elsewhere. World class doctors at this incredible institution continue to make strides in breast cancer research including the testing of novel therapies for patients with metastatic breast cancer, making it a particularly inspiring stop along the route. With a reminder of why they walk, participants walked a few more miles before enjoying an incredible lunch to celebrate completing half of their 60-mile journey.
From here, they walked the bubbly streets toward Jamaica Pond, Sam Adams Brewery, and the Isabella Stuart Gardner Museum. With just under three miles to go, walkers were met with a Candy Land themed pit stop where the “Candy Crew” offered lollipops, hydration and smiles. Here, a family of supporters waited for over an hour to cheer on walkers as they awaited their loved ones, Heidi and Abby, a mother and daughter walking their very first 3-Day! Heidi was diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2023 and decided to raise money and walk once she realized that she could make a difference. For the last three miles, her son, William, accompanied her as the rest of her family headed back to the hotel to cheer her on as she crossed the Mohawk Pink Carpet back into camp.
No Saturday would be complete without a hearty serving of mac and cheese before heading into the Honor Ceremony. Members of the Youth Corps shared their stories as they lit candles in honor of their loved ones who have been affected by breast cancer. The rest of the crowd followed their lead, placing luminaria bags in front of the stage, a beautiful tribute showcasing the friends and family members behind the “why” of our Pink Bubble family. With hearts full and feet tired, walkers and crew rested up for the final day of the New England 3-Day.
Day 3
Today began by welcoming 1-Day Walkers into the Pink Bubble during a delicious and nutritious breakfast to fuel up before heading out for the final 20 miles. With the sun shining, walkers spent the day witnessing many of Boston’s historic sites including the Freedom Trail, USS Constitution, and Bunker Hill Monument. Shortly before lunch, they were faced with a daunting staircase but our friends from XPO cheered them on with every step, giving them that extra bit of energy as they rounded the corner to rest and eat at the beautiful Marine Park. As they continued down the coast, walkers were met with a “Bugs Booby” themed Grab & Go with just two miles until the finish line!
Walkers took their final strides over the Mohawk Flooring pink carpet and picked up their New England 3-Day medal, provided by Bank of America and victory T-shirts. With tears of joy and smiles from ear-to-ear, walkers snapped some pictures at the Nature’s Bounty photobooth fully equipped with warrior wings and props—pink of course! One team crossed the finish line hand-in-hand with a happy birthday banner for their late daughter Katie who passed away from breast cancer in 2021 and would have been celebrating her 35th birthday that day.
Our last walker, a former Youth Corps member and first-time walker, made his way in as he was cheered on by hundreds of walkers, crew, staff, and supporters. As the Closing Ceremony began, a sea of shoes were held in the air to salute our survivors and thrivers as they made their way toward the stage. Full of love, comradery, and support, it was announced that our 2024 New England 3-Day raised 2.3 million dollars in the fight against breast cancer! Walkers and crew danced to celebrate the momentous event; we can’t wait to see you back in Boston in 2025!
Were you at the New England 3-Day? What was your favorite part?
