2022 Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day Milestone Award Winner

If you’ve ever participated in a Susan G. Komen 3-Day event, you’ve probably seen or talked to Jennifer S. Participating in 28 events over eight years, Jennifer has raised more than $91,000 to date! We talked to Jennifer about what the 3-Day means to her and even got a testimonial from her team, Pink Soles in Motion.

What was your inspiration to do your first 3-Day?

My girlfriend, who had walked before, suggested that we walk after I finished my treatment. I was excited to show cancer that it was not the boss of me ? it could not dictate how I would live! I went after it, determined to be successful; to raise the money and walk all 60 miles. Whew! It changed me forever.

What has brought you back to the 3-Day year after year?

I walk because I can’t walk away. That is true and there is so much more. A few hours into my first walk, I discovered that it was not about me at all, it was so much bigger. Everyone there had a story, a compelling reason for their participation, and I was overwhelmed, inspired and committed. Then, oh my heart, the young women I see in the survivor circle. This is so wrong; young women should not have to make these hard decisions.

Somehow, once you are part of this world, you tend to meet people who are also part of this world. Do you know what I mean? I am reminded all the time of the importance of the money we raise. I am not a scientist or a doctor, but I can raise money.

Finally, being part of our community fills my bucket. The joy, kindness and shared higher purpose of our walkers, crew and volunteers lifts me up. I believe it’s the world the way it should be, could be.

What is the secret to your 3-Day fundraising success?

I wish I had a secret :). I have been so fortunate; blessed really by people who have jumped in to help, and some who contribute every year. I am pretty much fundraising ALL the time; it might be considered an obsession. I have learned how to ask. I use the Facebook fundraiser and ask for my birthday, Christmas and of course October ? Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I tell everyone I meet what I am doing, ask them to join me and ask for a donation. I do tithe to myself, a little bit each month. I sell filled Easter eggs every year and hide them for an extra charge. Our team has a golf tournament, sells wreaths at the holidays and tamales for Christmas. I was blessed to have a couple of matchers help me this year which made a huge difference.

What is your best advice to anyone walking the 3-Day?

Oh gosh. Train; train in the shoes, socks, clothes and pack you intend to use for the event. Resist the temptation to purchase something new the night or the week before. Find some veteran walkers and pick their brains. Then, relax and enjoy the event. It’s 60 miles whether you walk the whole way or ride in the sweep vans a bit. There is no judgement on the 3-Day.

What’s a fun fact about you?

My fun fact is that I learned to ice skate at the ripe old age of 44 and earned a gold medal in a senior competition.

Jennifer’s team, Pink Soles in Motion, provided a brief testimonial about her:

“Everyone knows Jennifer because she is a cheerleader, a motivator, and a supporter and because Pink Soles in Motion has named her our unofficial 3-Day ambassador. Jennifer’s dedication to the 3-Day and Pink Soles in Motion has helped raise awareness for the cause and made the Pink Bubble an even better place to be. We wouldn’t be surprised if she bleeds pink! So, for a good time…walk with Jennifer!! Congratulations Jennifer! We love you.”

Congratulations, Jennifer, on receiving this award, and for all of the accomplishments you’ve achieved from funds raised to the amount of years participated in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day! Stay tuned for our last 2022 Milestone Award Winner Blog for the San Diego 3-Day and read about our other Milestone Award Winners here.

2022 San Diego 3-Day Route Preview

Just like that, we’re already nearing our last 3-Day event of our 2022 series! As always, walkers, crew, youth corps and volunteers will enjoy the beautiful sights and scenes that San Diego has to offer. Don’t forget to take pictures while you’re out on the route and tag our social media platforms, as well as use the hashtags #SD3Day and #The3Day for a chance to be featured!

Day 1 of the San Diego 3-Day will start with an inspiring Opening Ceremony at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Once released onto the route, walkers will make their way through the beautiful city of Del Mar, which has always provided great community support. Departing Del Mar, we’ll travel towards Torrey Pines and up the hill before heading to lunch in La Jolla.

After lunch, walkers will venture further into the quaint but elegant La Jolla Village and then Bird Rock, which is home to some cute mosaic benches! The last neighborhood of the day will be Pacific Beach, which walkers will get a small glimpse of before walking around Sail Bay into camp at Crown Point Park.

On Day 2, the route will start at camp, and from there walkers will get a tour of the beautiful beach towns San Diego has to offer. Starting off the day, we’ll walk across the Mission Bay bridges, where walkers will get a real feel for San Diego’s eclectic beach neighborhoods as they explore both Ocean Beach and Sunset Cliffs before turning around and heading back to go to lunch.

After lunch, walkers will venture back towards Mission Bay to further explore Mission Beach and Pacific Beach before heading back towards Sail Bay to walk into camp.

Day 3 starts again at camp, and from there walkers will walk along the Mission Beach Boardwalk towards Belmont Park. Then, they’ll make their way inland, passing SeaWorld and heading towards Old Town, where the infamous Juan Street Hill is.

Winding down our 60 miles together, we’ll pass through Balboa Park and Hillcrest towards Downtown San Diego where our Finish Line Festival and Closing Ceremony will be at Waterfront Park!

We’re so excited to see you all in San Diego for our last 3-Day of 2022! Images used in this blog post are from the 2021 San Diego 3-Day.

2022 Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day Crew Impact Award Winner

Join us in congratulating our 2022 Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day Crew Impact Award winner, Paullin J.! Paullin has participated in 19 Susan G. Komen 3-Day events over 17 years and has raised over $35,000 in her lifetime.

What was your inspiration to do your first 3-Day?

I have two older sisters who have had breast cancer, and I’ve lost a few friends to it, as well. I attended a 3-Day Closing Ceremony in 2004 in which my oldest sister had walked and I got hooked! It was a very emotional ceremony that brought to light how important this fight to find the cures is.

What has brought you back to the 3-Day year after year?

I have made really wonderful friends who have returned to crew with us year after year. Some are from other states, so I always look forward to seeing them each year. The events are such fun and so meaningful. Participating in the 3-Day is the one good thing that I do for myself each year.

What is your favorite aspect of crewing the 3-Day?

My favorite part is seeing my “3-Day family” who are such caring compassionate people who find this effort as important as I do. We work hard, but play just as hard as well. It’s a very meaningful experience ? hard to explain to others who have not shared it. It’s three days of truly being in a kind and caring world.

What is your best advice to anyone crewing the 3-Day?

Come prepared to work and play hard, and to experience all the emotions that you will have. It’s very rewarding.

What’s a fun fact about you?

I was known in my family as the “little red caboose” ? youngest of four girls.

What are the most important lessons you’ve learned on the 3-Day?

I have learned how important it is to find better treatment alternatives, and hopefully the cures, for breast cancer. It’s imperative that we continue to support this effort and to raise awareness and money to make this happen.

One of Paullin’s teammates provided this brief testimonial as to why she deserves the Crew Impact Award:

“Paullin is such a great teammate. She’s always there to pitch in and get the job done. Paullin and her sister Lucy welcomed my daughters and I to the Pit Stop 1 team in Atlanta years ago and we have been friends ever since. As a walker it was always a joy to see her at the pit stop cheering us on to the next Komen mile. As a teammate she is always such a great support to all of us.” —Steve S.

Thank you, Paullin, for your incredible dedication to our Crew, and to the Susan G. Komen 3-Day! Stay tuned to our blog for the last 2022 Crew Impact Award Winner, coming up in San Diego. You can check out our other Crew Impact Award Winners here.