The Silent Survivor

As I post today’s inspirational 3-Day story, our amazing 2013 Boston 3-Day Crew are busy decorating sweep vans, marking routes and making preparations to support the 3-Day walkers who will begin their 3-Day journey tomorrow. If you would like to cheer on our walkers this weekend, check out our Spectator Information for locations and times when walkers will be passing by.

Debbi Shaffer is walking in her fourth 3-Day in Washington DC, and has also cheered friends as a “walker-stalker” in San Diego. Debbi proudly wears her 3-Day survivor Victory t-shirt now, but it took her years to share her very personal experience with breast cancer. We are thankful that she chose to share it with us on The 3-Day Blog.

Eighteen years ago, Debbi got the news that changed her life. “I can hardly believe it has been 18 years since my boyfriend found a lump in my left breast. When I went to my doctor and was told I had breast cancer, at the time all I could think was, ‘28 year olds are not supposed to have breast cancer’. I was silent about my own experience for many years.” Continue reading →

3-Day Must Do’s

Our second event of the season kicks off in Boston on Friday (or Thursday for our magnificent Crew members attending Crew training). If you’ve never participated in the 3-Day before, not knowing what to expect can be nerve-wracking. The 3-Day Facebook page, message boards, official 3-Day training walks and this blog are all great places to get advice from veteran walkers.

Jennifer Hanskat, breast cancer survivor, 3-Day coach and 11-year 3-Day participant certainly qualifies as an expert! This year she will be on the Crew in Chicago and is reuniting with her former San Diego team, walking in November to celebrate her Aunt Linda’s 60th birthday year and Jennifer’s 5 year cancer-versary! Congratulations Jennifer! I asked her what the “must-do” experiences were for a 3-Day newbie.

Take your time on the route. “It’s a journey, not a race. Pace yourself and take it all in. Savor the moments – there isn’t a prize if you get back to camp first.” Continue reading →

Avoiding 3-Day Fundraising Flops

As a 3-Day coach and repeat walker, Aubrey Cushing knows a few things about fundraising. This year she is walking in the Seattle and San Diego 3-Days – and just reached her fundraising goal for both events. Way to go Aubrey! When I asked her the secret of her success over the years, Aubrey told me, “I try everything. Some things work and others don’t, but I NEVER give up. My mom is a breast cancer survivor, and I will do whatever it takes to get us closer to a cure.” Well, said, Aubrey!

Aubrey is all smiles because she reached her fundraising goal for her 2013 3-Day events in Seattle and San Diego. Way to go, Aubrey!

Here are Aubrey’s tips for holding successful fundraising events – and avoiding fundraising flops!
• Invite as many people as you can accommodate, and more. Expect half to RSVP, and a quarter of those to attend. Follow up with the RSVP’s who didn’t make it an offer them the chance to make a donation online. Continue reading →