Pink Bubble family, can you believe it is December? As we come to the end of this “special” year, we are so inspired by the continued impact being made by our 3-Day community. Every dollar raised truly makes a difference. With the help of your fundraising efforts, Susan G. Komen invests in cutting-edge research that will lead to new, more effective treatments, works in communities across the country to ensure all people can access the care they need, and mobilizes passionate supporters to make certain the voice of the breast cancer community is heard by policymakers.
How can you make a difference this December? We consulted some of our experts—our walkers and crew—for ideas on how to make the holidays more meaningful in 2020. Here are our top ten.
1. Instead of presents, ask for donations to your 3-Day fundraising. You can even use the 3-Day mobile app to donate checks directly into your account!
2. Set up a Facebook Fundraiser to make year-end giving easy for friends and family who are looking to capitalize on charitable gift tax deductions! Facebook Fundraisers make it incredibly easy!
3. Receive a gift that doesn’t suit your taste? Consider selling it and donating the proceeds.
4. Run a donation-based, socially-distanced gift wrapping service for friends and family.
5. Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Dayparticipant Karen K. gets creative with a Holiday Drive-Thru! A nearby neighborhood draws crowds of cars driving by to see the holiday lights display. Karen sets up a table in a friend’s driveway and sells holiday crafts to the visitors in exchange for donations.
6. Get organized and start out your year with a clean closet! You can sell your items to thredUP or a local consignment shop and donate those funds to your 3-Day account. Or you can use thredUP’s donation program. When you mail in your items, instead of a payout, Komen will receive a $5 donation on your behalf. It’s easy—they mail you a bag, you fill it with clothes, and drop it off at your local USPS or FedEx office. Click here to learn more about thredUP’s donation program. (Note: the $5 donation will not be reflected in your 3-Day fundraising).
7. Use the 3-Day mobile app to send out New Year’s notes letting people know that you’re walking and why!
8. Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day participant Karen K. also recommends asking restaurants to include carry-out and gift card purchases when they host a fundraising night for you! It’s truly a win-win—you receive an increased donation and the restaurant is able to get people in and out quickly and can make more sales in one day. Plus, this helps ensure that people will come back to use those gift cards another time when they are able to eat out again.
9. Don your pink Santa hat and offer to put up holiday lights in exchange for donations!
This time of year—filled with hope, giving, and celebration—is a great time to squeeze in one more fundraising ask before the calendar switches to the next year. What other holiday fundraising ideas would you recommend to the 3-Day family? Share in the comments on our Facebook page.
While we couldn’t gather “together” in person this year, the 3-Day family found a way to spread Pink Bubble magic during an unprecedented time. We are so thankful for all you’ve done.
You hit the pavement in your hometowns all year. From our Spring Break virtual training walk in April to the Summer Solstice walk in June, to each of our 2021 3-Day Virtual Kick-Offs, we treasured every moment of joy spent with the 3-Day family.
You were there for each other. We are blown away every day by the power of the 3-Day family, its ability to lift up a family member when they need it most, and how it brings support every day to those who are a part of it.
Despite all of the challenges, you brought joy to 2020. When we think of the 3-Day family, this quotation resonates so deeply with us: “Joy is the simplest form of gratitude.” —K. Barth
For every step taken, every dollar raised, every moment shared—today and all days, we are grateful for you and that you are on this journey with us.
When November began and we started this season of gratitude, we posed a question to the Pink Bubble family on social: “Who in the 3-Day family are you thankful for and why?”
At first, Cathy M.’s quick, clever reply on Twitter made us chuckle: “This is kind of like asking who is your favorite child. Teammates? Crew? Volunteers? Medics? Cheering stations? Coaches? I ? them all & am thankful for them all!”
Then, as time went on and more and more of you shared, we read every beautiful note of thanks from the 3-Day family—and our hearts began to overflow with joy and gratitude for this special community.
Dottie C. summed it up so perfectly. “For me, the 3-Day is a collective ‘who.’ Although there are people who are standouts, the Bubble can have a personality of its own. The ‘Bubble moments’ that always grab me are the silent and unsung moments of support and love that are always present during this event. From the opening ceremony, along the route, at camp, to the closing ceremony, we have a rare opportunity to witness some of the best of people. So, to all of YOU in all events. You are my ‘who’ I am thankful for. Cheers!”
Happy Thanksgiving, 3-Day family. We hope you feel our gratitude for you.
Here are a few more responses from the community:
Monica F.: “I would agree with Dottie, the 3-Day is for sure a collective ‘who’ I am thankful for. Almost half of the people in my life today are from the 3-Day. It’s such an inspiring place for all of us collectively.”
Mandie R.: “I am thankful for the entire Pink Bubble—there is truly nothing like it! I am so very thankful for my girls, my sisters, those who I have been with since Day 01, Christine, Becki, and Allie. Through the years, we have cried together, laughed together, supported each other, fought together (not with each other), pushed one another to get up a d*mn hill, dragged the other to the next pit stop/grab & go, or simply whined for hours on end about everything ?. No matter how much time goes by that we haven’t seen one another—we pick up right where we left off! There are truly no words to describe my heartfelt ? for my girls! I love each one of you. Thank you for making my life better because you are in it. Forever sisters but family for life! #theTataSisterhood #SisterFriends”
Mary N.: “I am thankful for Dottie C….a most energetic, devoted, and heart-full participant and champion of the cause. She is an inspiration! ??”
Billy B.: “I am thankful for the friends I have made through the years I have been involved. My very good friend, Joy W., Brad T., and all the other people I have met. They have supported me through the pain of losing my wife, and I have done the same for them with their loved ones. Also, the support of my son and daughter, who lost their mother. She was a daughter, sister, friend, wife, lover, mother, grandmother, and a NURSE. She is missed and loved every day.”
L. G.: “I am thankful to so many in the ‘Pink Bubble family.’ Every coach who inspires walkers to fundraise more and train harder. Every crew member who makes the walks so much easier and enjoyable. Every walker who is brave enough to share their stories of survivorship, loss or doing good for the world.”
We had such an amazing time with our 3-Day family at the 2021 Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day Virtual Kick-Off on November 7th. One big reason was getting to hear from a couple of our inspiring 3-Day walkers. Barbara B. (BB) spoke at our evening celebration and really moved us with her story. If you didn’t get a chance to hear her speak, here is her story, in her own words.
Good Afternoon everyone! I’m BB, ? your motorcycle mad, corner cut-up, tutu-toting route safety lady from Atlanta. Although we are all participating where we are and just “together” virtually, I know you stretched, danced and stayed safe (’cause I sent all y’all those vibes all day long).
Growing up I’d heard of cancer; it’s bad, people get very sick. I was remotely aware of someone who lost their battle with cancer. Cancer support was something done randomly as a small donation. Then cancer became a very scary word. That word was devastating when I heard the statement, “He has cancer.”
When my son Mathew was just two years old, cancer crashed into my life with his diagnosis of neuroblastoma. He went from a vibrant active little boy to a warrior fighting for his life. I had to be an advocate, a nurse, and a Mom. I couldn’t do that without those cancer supporters who provided me with the knowledge — about the disease, the treatments, and what to expect.
As cancer and the treatments ravaged his little body — we turned again and again to the various services provided by supporting agencies for emotional support, especially for his older sister, whose friends and classmates couldn’t comprehend what cancer meant and what she was dealing with. We received financial support for those costs that you don’t always consider, like custom bandages, travel, and even meals and lodging at the hospital. Unfortunately, the day came when the cancer support I needed was counseling, when I said my final goodbyes to my 4-year old warrior, hero, and son.
Cancer — it’s one small word, but it’s a horrible disease with so many forms that know no boundaries. It can strike the young, the old, the poor, the wealthy, the mothers, the fathers, the sons, and the daughters. As this scourge invaded my family: my aunts, my uncles and then down into my cousins, my primary doctor took this as a warning and wanted me to have a mammogram. She told me, “I know you are young but with your family history and your breast density, you need to get this done and at least this will give us a baseline. With what your family has endured, I want to keep my eyes on you.” (It’s great to have a physician who supports not just your physical well-being, but also understands your mental health.) Of course, at age 34 my insurance balked at such a procedure, questioning, “Is it unnecessary?” She is not of age yet.” My doctor’s persistence began my journey.
She reached out to the local Komen Affiliate and introduced me to the wonderful family of Susan G Komen advocacy. Together we presented my case — the worries, the family history, the breast density, etc. I was accepted and given a scan. I had no idea what the scan would entail other than they were going to take a “closer look inside my breast tissue.” Boy was that a painful, pressure-induced eye opener. ? But I thought, “I did it, we’ve got a baseline. I’m too young, everything will be OK”. Just 72 short hours later I heard words that were scary and confusing: “We see several masses in your scan, you need to come in for more tests.”
Now, as a momma bear, fighting for my son and my family came naturally. Researching, asking, discussing, and fighting for the best is what I do. But when the diagnosis came and it was about me, I froze in fear and felt a black hole open in front of me of isolation and inevitability. <<Big Sigh>>
I was not alone. I had the Susan G. Komen family in my corner, at my side and holding me up. The next days were spent meeting advocates, others in treatments, reading materials, websites and pamphlets and books. The support and guidance were like a rain shower that rejuvenates. With their help I learned the options and the opportunities and started to believe all would be OK.
Of course, trying to convince my young teenage daughter (who was just blooming into her own womanhood) that this menace was a different type of cancer, and her mother’s life would not end in the same tragedy that ended her younger brother’s life, was a challenge indeed. But again, with the resources of information and contacts that Susan G. Komen put us in contact with, she put on her gloves and fought by my side.
In 2006 I had a radical double mastectomy, chemo and radiation. This took a couple of years to maneuver and recover. At the time, I was involved in trying to pay it forward for childhood cancer, via St. Jude’s for all they did for my son, for us and to try to help other families.
With the support they were giving me, I just knew I would become involved with Susan G. Komen so that I could pay it forward to help families fight against breast cancer. I signed up to be a survivor advocate with my local Komen Affiliate and through them found out about the 3-Day. Of course I signed up!
But then I was diagnosed and treated for ovarian cancer. The treatments and research done by Komen were some of the life-saving treatments I received then as well. Komen is always doing amazing work. It took me another couple of years, but I finally got back to the 3-Day in 2012 when by luck, a friend reached out because they needed help with Route Safety.
I had no idea what I was signing up for other than I knew I would be on my motorcycle and supporting the 3-Day walkers. I would be cheering and raising awareness around my city. I have a feeling the Komen family didn’t know what they signed up for when they asked me to participate. <Grin>
I’ve been on the Route Safety crew ever since. I’ve been blessed to help some amazing walking teams with local fundraisers, which always, in some type of way, seems to let me help a family by sharing the story of Komen and all the programs and support they provide. The more I became involved, the more I wanted to do, so several years ago I decided to put my vacation days towards supporting the 3-Day in other cities. My Pink family has grown beyond expectations and fills my heart with such joy it’s hardly containable.
I’ve found such a wonderful additional family — a supporting family — a FUN family in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day! From the first volunteer event to this coming year of actually {gulp} walking two events, this organization has fit every asset of my personality and needs to a T. I love all the supporting hugs, encouraging words, hard-working, loving, and even the craziest of costumes.
These 3-Day events are something I look forward to each and every day of the year. I can’t help but brag about all you do and all it means; mere words can’t describe the experience. To date I’ve personally raised over $20,000! I overcame my shyness to help raise money, as research is the foundation for a cure. I’ve overcome my hesitancy to become involved, because I know from personal experience how much these support systems mean. But more importantly, I know how much it will take to end this scourge we call cancer.
The 3-Day heals me in a way that no medicine could, every time I crew. I crew because for three days I can escape the cancer that has followed me for years. For three days I am surrounded by people like me, people with similar scars to me, similar nightmares to me. It’s a place where I don’t feel different.
The 60-mile journey with the walkers is a time for me to heal and rejoice in surviving. The Susan G. Komen 3-Day is hard, but it’s not as hard as breast cancer. It’s not as hard as chemo. It’s not as hard as getting bad news at your latest scan. It’s not as hard as saying goodbye. And that’s why I know I have to do this. That’s why I commit.
Thank you, BB, for being so brave and sharing the story of your journey and everything your family has been through — both at the Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day Virtual Kick-Off and again here for all to read. We can’t wait to welcome you back to the 2021 Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day next November!
To hear more inspiring stories like this, you have one more chance by attending our San Diego 3-Day Virtual Kick-Off on November 21st. RSVP today.
