Bev D. finds ways to be GRATEFUL, both in her life and for her Pink Bubble family

Next up in our “Word of the Year” series, this month Bev D. shares how she has been able to remain GRATEFUL, despite whatever challenges the past year has presented. She joined the 3-Day in 2011 to walk it once, and 15 3-Days later—she’s still here! The spirit of the pink bubble family keeps her coming back. 

Tell me about your 3-Day experience. 
I’ve participated in so many events since 2011, it’s hard to count…I think I am at 15! 

What is your 2021 word of the year?  
My word of the year is GRATEFUL.  

Why is that your word of the year? 
Even though 2020 was an awful year for the world, I am grateful because I was still able to spend time with my “pod” of friends and family. We hiked and went to the beach, and we were grateful we were able to do things like that. ALSO, my daughter had a baby girl! Baby Pearl Rhiannon was born on Thanksgiving Day. They spent the whole pregnancy quarantined and everyone is healthy and beautiful. She is my first grandchild and I am enormously grateful for her.  

Why do you participate in the 3-Day? 
My mom had breast cancer, which was the reason I walked the first year. I honestly thought it would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience: “one and done” as they say (LOL) but like many of us, that is NEVER the case. The pink bubble became my family and forever friends and I love you all!

What does the 3-Day family mean to you? 
The 3-Day family is the family I chose. They mean the world to me! I feel safe and loved and part of a special community that the outside world can never understand unless they join “the bubble.”

How does your word of the year connect to the 3-Day? 
I am grateful not only for the things in my life, but for my 3-Day family, too. My 3-Day friends are in my bubble that I stay in and travel with. I have so many friends near and far that I call family who I know I can always depend on to be there! They have enriched my life ten-fold.   

If you could share a message with the Pink Bubble, what would it be? 
I am so grateful for my pink family that is close by, for always being here. I am grateful for the pink family from afar, for keeping us connected to each other in so many ways. We’ve had virtual walks, sent cards to each other, and have always been there to offer prayers when needed.  

My symbol for my mom is a ladybug and there have been so many times when someone randomly will send me a text to tell me that they saw my “mom” in their office, in the park, on the sidewalk, in their house. And it always comes at a time when I just needed to hear it!

We want to know: What are you GRATEFUL for? Check back next month for the next blog post in our “Word of the Year” series.

Being A First-Time Walker and Fundraising Success – The Story of Felice A.

In 2018, Felice A. received news no daughter ever wants to hear – “Your mom has metastatic breast cancer.” As many of us know all too well, the experience of watching a loved one battle breast cancer inspired her to sign up for her first Susan G. Komen 3-Day® in 2019. Due to personal circumstances, she deferred her plans to 2020, which was then postponed to 2021 because of the pandemic. November 2021 will be her first time walking the 3-Day in honor of her mom, who passed away in November of 2020.  

Have you participated in the 3-Day before? 

No, not this one. My mom and I did the Avon 2-day walk in 2014 in San Francisco. The San Diego 2021 3-Day will be my first. 

Are you walking alone, with a friend or with a team? 

Walking alone — but the Susan G. Komen community has been incredibly warm and welcoming.  I’ve recently met a walking coach local to my area and a group of people who are also walking.  So, while I’m walking alone, I definitely don’t feel alone. 

We’ve noticed you’ve raised over $10,000 since June. How are you fundraising? 

I sent both personalized emails through my 3-Day Participant Center and I posted the fundraiser on Facebook. I have also asked for sponsors — I’m planning to create a T-shirt and will include the company logo on it as part of the sponsorship. 

What have been the most successful fundraising tactics for you? 

My personalized emails have been the best. I know personalization takes extra work, but I send one email at a time with a note directed to that person. I then copy the general message below. That honestly got a ton of responses. Instead of sending from the app as a “form” email, I think people appreciate the direct reach out. Given the times we’re in with COVID still among us, I’ve also been very careful to say, “anything is welcomed and appreciated, including well wishes and cheers from the sidelines.” I don’t want people to feel obligated to donate, especially if, for whatever reason, they can’t afford to. It’s hard asking for donations normally, but even harder in these crazy times. So, I think it’s important to let people off the hook and not make them feel obligated, and it makes it easier to ask by approaching it this way. I did the same for the “sponsors” that have donated $500. I didn’t ask for a specific amount, but I let each person know that if they were open to sponsorship, I would put their logo on a shirt for when I go on training walks and for the 3-Day to acknowledge the generosity and commitment of a larger donation. A couple people even asked if they could have a shirt! Some have also read my story on my personal fundraising page, which I believe really struck a chord because everyone knew how close my mom and I were. She passed away November 29, 2020. My mom was beloved by a lot of people. 

What advice would you give to someone whose loved one has just received a diagnosis? 

To those whose loved one just received a diagnosis: Hearing the news is like an out of body experience — and takes time to process — and it’s ok if you never really come 100% to terms with it. What’s important is to stay positive for your loved one, and express, both through words and through your actions, your love for that person in meaningful ways. Simply just being present and there so they know they’re not alone can help ease the anxiety you’re both going through. 

 

What are you looking to gain from this experience? 

I want to do this — walk and raise money — to honor my mom’s life and legacy; she is my inspiration and my motivation. 

Signing up to walk 60 miles in three days may seem intimidating, but not as hard as fighting breast cancer. The fact is, most of us have a story similar to Felice; we ourselves, or someone we know has either lost a loved one or knows someone who is fighting for their life. What we do to fight back makes a difference, and that’s why we walk. Share your story about why you walk with us in the comments. 

The Most Creative Ways 3-Dayers Honor Who They Walk For

As we walk 60 miles in honor of our loved ones who have been affected by breast cancer, 3-Dayers pull out all the stops to decorate those pink outfits! One of the ways we accessorize is by bringing mementos to celebrate those we walk for. Over the years, we have seen some extremely creative ways that people honor their reasons for walking. 

Photos: Bring a photo of your loved one to the 3-Day. One idea that we love is to take pictures with the photo you brought on pit stops, at the ceremonies, and with fellow walkers you meet along the way to bring along a piece of them if they aren’t walking with you. 

Pins: We 3-Dayers certainly love our pins! Make a pin with your loved one’s photo or name to bring with you on your 3-Day walk. 

Ribbons: Write each person’s name on a ribbon and pin it on you. You can ask those who donated to you to send you names to walk in memory of or bring a bag full of blank ribbons for fellow walkers to write their family and friend’s names on. If you want to get really creative, try creating a hat or bra full of ribbons with names on them! 

Clothing: Wear a pink shirt, bandana, or hat and bring a sharpie for fellow 3-Dayers to write who they walk in honor of, too. You can also print a photo of them on a t-shirt so everyone can see who you are walking for! 

Flags and Capes: Honor who you are walking for by writing their names on a pink flag or cape and let it fly! Everyone behind you will see each of the names with each step you take. 

Jewelry: Hold who you walk for close to your heart with a necklace. You can also bring a bracelet, ring, or earrings with your loved one’s name on it to wear throughout the 3-Day. 

Keychains: Make a keychain to put on your lanyard or backpack with names and objects that remind you of who you walk for. We have seen everything from stuffed animals to beaded handmade keychains. 

Lanyards: Let your personality shine by decorating your 3-Day lanyard. Use those photos, stickers, pins, keychains, and ribbons to spice up that ID badge. 

Participating in the 3-Day is a monumentally special experience. Bringing something sentimental that reminds you of your loved one along for the journey makes it that much more special. Let us know how you honor those you walk for during the 3-Day in the comments!