Youth Corps’ Kimberly is ‘Relentless’

Kimberly and Jennifer prepare for the Dallas 3-Day

“That’s the only word I could think of,” said Jennifer, Kimberly C’s mother, as she watched her prepare on stage for the Opening Ceremony of the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® in Dallas. “Relentless. She just kept writing letters to people and kept helping out with fundraisers.” Jennifer had named her daughter Kimberly after her best friend who had passed away from breast cancer in 2002, so to have her daughter become so involved with the fight against breast cancer is more than touching. Kimberly’s great aunt has also been battling breast cancer. The Komen 3-Day is a 60-mile walk spread out over those three days, and Jennifer is actually walking for her second year in a row.

Kimberly participates in the exciting Opening Ceremony of the Susan G. Komen Dallas 3-Day

The Youth Corps, which Kimberly is participating in, is a way for kids 10-16 years of age to volunteer to assist in the fundraiser. But they have serious roles in the 3-Day® weekend, including raising at least $500. “We mailed letters to a lot of people,” said the mother-daughter combo before the big weekend kicked off. One major company was very polite and the CEO passed Kim’s letter onto a vice president, who just happened to be a breast cancer survivor. Not only did the company “make an exception” and donate $250 to Kim’s fundraising efforts, but the vice president also matched the funds herself! Kim’s relentless letter writing also got her a special gift for auction: a football signed by Saints’ Head Coach Shawn Peyton, whom Kim and Jennifer had met in the airport not long ago.

“He was really nice, and I was surprised to get it in the mail,” said Kim, who will ‘kick off’ her fundraising for next year with the auction, since it came late for 2013. Kim’s football fundraising roots seem to run deep as well, since the Texas Tech head coach kicked in a little too, and Kim was asked to come and meet him during the Tech – Baylor game.

The Dallas 3-Day seems to have come at a good time for this family. “It’s been great to see her so involved and all on her own,” said Jennifer, who thinks the challenge of the 3-Day has been rewarding for herself physically and for her daughter as a dedicated volunteer. Youth Corps duties are rigorous as they are constantly helping out on the walking route, supplying water and gatorade, helping walkers the crew with lunch, assisting with tents in camp, and providing much needed motivation throughout the day. The also offer their own part in Saturday night’s Camp Show, sharing their own stories of why they became involved with the fight against breast cancer.

A special thanks to this relentless mother and daughter duo. Say hello to them this weekend in Dallas!

The Pink Tank Project – Cassie’s Journey

During National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I had my annual exam for the disease that affects one in eight women in her lifetime. Yesterday, I opened the follow-up letter from the radiologist that exclaimed, “We found no sign of breast cancer.” I consider myself fortunate, yet I will not let down my guard against this beast.

Twin Cities 3-Day walker and breast cancer survivor, Army Sgt. Cassie Mecuk is a hero, not only for her service to her country, but to her family and friends who have supported her since her first breast cancer diagnosis at the age of 24. Cassie, who is fighting breast cancer for the third time since 2009, is a member of Cassie’s Cups, a Twin Cities 3-Day team. She was recently featured in “The Pink Tank Project,” the Minnesota National Guard’s initiative to raise breast cancer awareness among Minnesota National Guard Soldiers and Airmen, as well as the general public.

Cassie (left) and one of her Cassie’s Cups teammates at the Twin Cities 3-Day.

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Tampa Bay 3-Day: “Piece of the Miracle”

After less than 24 hours after the Susan G. Komen Tampa Bay 3-Day wrapped up for 2013, I heard from a participant who described her experience as a “piece of the miracle” of the Komen 3-Day. That seems to have summed up so many personal stories that combined to make the experience of the Tampa Bay 3-Day this year. From the glorious sunrise at Opening Ceremony on Friday morning to the seaside Spa Park Closing Ceremony, I witnessed one team after another and one walker after another accomplish more than they ever thought possible. A wheelchair was pushed for 60 miles. Many conquered the challenge for the first time ever, to their own amazement. So many reaffirmed their strength over past and present breast cancer.

With blue skies and a light breeze, the participants were eager to carry the banners over the bridges that dotted the course of three days. “Hope.” “My Sister.” “Optimism.” The firefighters, police, and ambulance services of Clearwater, Seminole, and Pinellas County were only a few who showed their strong support for the 3-Day®, lifting walkers into the air for photos, passing out pink Italian ice, and donning pink uniforms. So many showed their support on the final stretches of Day 1 and the cheering stations of Day 2 and Day 3.

The Camp Shows were a time to rest, to be entertained, and to be inspired. Kimberly Crist was recognized for her seven years of participation and over $69,640 raised to date for the fight against breast cancer. The crowd came to its feet with her acceptance of the Milestone Award on Friday night. Touching speeches by Elise M, Sonja A, and Charlie M, gave the Tampa Bay walkers time to reflect and be inspired by these wonderful people. Camp Show is never complete without the Youth Corps, both for their words and their dance skills. (And thank you to the brave souls who rocked the house during karaoke. You know who you are!)

After a shorter 15.3-mile third day, and after a beautiful stretch of bayside walking, an emotional Closing Ceremony at Spa Park kicked off. The faces of hundreds of dedicated walkers and crew members beamed in the afternoon sunshine surrounded by the beautiful bay. The individual stories looking back at the stage represented so many personal histories of triumph, ‘pieces’ making up the miracle of the Tampa Bay 3-Day.

Thank you Florida walkers!

ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHS