What If…?

A couple of months ago, a Susan G. Komen 3-Day® participant sent us the following piece, written by a friend of hers, Larry R., and we really loved the message it expresses. Larry has participated as a walker or crew member in over two dozen Komen 3-Day events, so he’s familiar with all the possible “what if” questions that one might ask before their first 3-Day®. We think he did a great job getting to the heart of why we walk and crew, and as we get ready to embark upon the first 3-Day event of the 2014 season, we think his advice will go a long way in turning those “what ifs” into “why nots.”

What If…?

For those about to walk for the first time, I thought this might help address those nagging questions:

I am so nervous! – Ok, you’re nervous. So what?
What if I can’t walk all the way? – Who cares? No one is keeping track but you.
What if I get a blister? – What if you do?
What if I don’t know anyone? – You’ll meet hundreds of nice people.
What if I packed too much? – You did.
What if I didn’t pack something? – You’ll live.
What if it rains? – You’ll get wet; you won’t drown.
What if there’s lightning? – You’ll be moved to a safe indoor location.
What if it’s cold? – You won’t freeze to death.
What if it is hot? – You’ll sweat.
What if I don’t like the food? – You’ll pass 472 convenience stores; you’ll manage.
What if I don’t like the porta-potties? – No one “likes” porta-potties. You’ll survive.
What if I don’t like the showers? – Ok, don’t shower. But check with your tent mate first.
What if I can’t sleep in a tent? – You’ll be tired; you’ll sleep.

What if…?

Enough already with the “What if’s?” You’ll do fine. Relax and enjoy the experience. Because of the money you’ve raised, money is going to go towards early detection programs. In a few months, a woman or a man is going to take advantage of one of those programs and is going to find out that they have breast cancer. But because of you, they will have found out early enough to get treatment—and to survive.

They’re going to watch their kids grow up, and be at their concerts and games. They’re going to go to their graduations and weddings. They’re going to get to see their grandchildren. All because of you. While they’ll never know it, you will know it. Any more questions? No?

Thanks, Larry!

Meet the Twin Cities 3-Day Coaches

Every Susan G. Komen 3-Day® event has a core team of three coaches, each of whom plays a different role in helping our walkers and crew members prepare for the Komen 3-Day. For months, these dedicated staffers have been having personal conversations with walkers to help them with their training and fundraising, have hosted dozens of local events to bring participants together and build a community of encouragement, and have organized and inspired the amazing team of crew captains and crew members.

Let’s meet the coaches for the Twin Cities 3-Day® event!

Stephanie Winkel – Twin Cities Local Events Coach

Describe your job in 10 words or fewer. – “Recruiting walkers and securing community involvement for a fantastic event!”

We’re a few weeks from the Twin Cities event. What’s a typical day like for you these days? – “Crazy! The last minute details are my favorite part- involving participants in our ceremonies; driving the route and getting community participation from local businesses and private cheering stations; soliciting donations to make the participant experience a memorable one; securing entertainment! I love watching it all come together.”

What are 3 things that we didn’t know about you? – “1) I’m a nationally certified personal trainer and recently had an opportunity to box with Jillian Michaels (world famous fitness guru and trainer on the hit show, The Biggest Loser). This was my 3 minute claim to fame and gave me rockstar mom status to my 3 kids; 2) I’m obsessed with Pinterest and actually do use a lot of the things I pin; 3) I love my morning coffee so much I stand at the coffee pot everyone morning watching it drip until it’s ready. I’m useless until I have it.”

Eileen Barnick – Twin Cities Participant Coach

susan g. komen 3-day breast cancer walk blog meet the coaches twin cities eileen

Eileen (second from right) and family

Describe your job in 10 words or fewer. – “I support amazing people who are changing the world. #bestjobintheworld”

We’re a few weeks from the Twin Cities event. What’s a typical day like for you these days? – “Busy! My days are filled with wonderful interactions with wonderful participants. I am really getting to know the Twin Cities participants through the many emails and calls I am receiving. It’s that time of the event season wheb I am helping with missing donations, assisting with Online Check-In and providing event details. Everyone has a story that connects them to this cause. The conversations I have each day are very important to me because they help me understand how and why we have all been brought to this cause. I am looking forward to finally meeting all of the new 3-Day friends I have met as being the Twin Cities coach this year!”

What are 3 things that we didn’t know about you? – “1) In my previous life (before children) I was a certified scuba diver and licensed stock broker; 2) In my future life (after children move out) there will be an RV and an ocean (watch out California friends!); 3) My one hidden talent (to the embarrassment of my children) is that I am a rockstar hoola hooper!”

Kiki Setterlund – Twin Cities Crew & Volunteer Coordinator

susan g. komen 3-day breast cancer walk blog meet the coaches twin cities kiki

Silliness from Kiki and family

Describe your job in 10 words or fewer. – “Fun, challenging, rewarding…all wrapped up in lots of laughter.”

We’re a few weeks from the Twin Cities event. What’s a typical day like for you these days? – “We’re kicking it into high gear here in the Twin Cities. We’re looking at maps and schedules and playing the ‘what if’ game ahead of time. This is all to make sure that the walkers, crew, community and others are safe, well supported and of course, having a good time on-event. I am in weekly contact with my Captains and Senior Captains: Kathy H., Stephanie F., Tami G. and Kate S. to ensure the Crew has the information they need and when they need it. We’re busy recruiting day volunteers and watching the amazing fundraising progress of our Crew. The days (and nights) are long, but they are so worth it. It’s exciting to see all of this hard work and preparation come to fruition. I’ve got an amazing team of Crew Captains I work with and could not be more thankful for them.”

What are 3 things that we didn’t know about you? – “1) I once saved [opera legend] Placido Domingo at a special event from a man wearing a poncho and sombrero; 2) I have solid hips. I once broke a window by giving it a ‘hip check’; 3) My favorite past time is weekend ‘family cuddles’ with my husband Seth, and kids, Finn (8) and Evy (5).”

If you’ll be at the Twin Cities 3-Day, be sure to say hello to the coaches! They’ll be happy to see you!

Introducing the 3-Day Series Walkers – Part 4

Anyone who steps up to the challenge of participating in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® is making an incredible commitment. The months spent on fundraising strategy and execution, training plans and schedules, prepping, packing and traveling almost make it feel like the Komen 3-Day is your second job (good thing it’s a job you love!).

That’s why it’s especially remarkable when we meet a walker who makes the extraordinary decision to walk in every 3-Day® event in one year. In the past, there have been one or two walkers each year who dedicate themselves to walking the “full series,” but in 2014, we are honored to have eight amazing people taking on the full series and walking in all seven 3-Day events.

We’ve already introduced you to Nicole H. and Melissa, Jim and William., and Stephanie and Karen Kay. Today, meet the final two series walkers, sisters Ashley and Nicole.

Ashley H.

What’s your name and where are you from? – Ashley Hutto. I’m originally from the Canton, Ohio area, but now live in Phoenix, AZ.
What is your 3-Day history (How many events have you walked/crewed?) – I started in 2009 and have walked 5 consecutive years (1 in Arizona, 3 in San Diego and 1 in San Francisco).
How/why did you first get involved with the 3-Day? – My mom passed away in 2002 and my sister, Nicole [Lieberman, also a 2014 series walker], got involved in the 3-Day the following year while I was still in my undergrad. At first, I wasn’t interested, but after I moved to Phoenix in 2009, I finally agreed to try it and the rest is history!
Are you part of any teams in 2014? – I’m co-captain of Team Pedi-Cure with my sister.
What made you decide to do all 7 events this year? – Team Pedi-Cure aims high! In addition to completing all the 3-Day events in a single year, we will also exceed $100,000 in total fundraising dollars!
What are your go-to fundraising strategies? – We’ve tried a lot of different things, but we’ve found our niche in selling products on Amazon.
What are you looking forward to most with your walks this year? – I’m looking forward to new routes and meeting some new friends!
Is there anything you are nervous about? – It’s difficult to train in the summer in Phoenix because of the heat… so needless to say we haven’t done much of it. I guess the Michigan 3-Day will be our training!
What are 3 words that you would use to describe the 3-Day? – Inspiring, energizing, healing

Nicole L.

What’s your name and where are you from? – Nicole Lieberman. I’m originally from northeast Ohio, but have lived in Phoenix, Arizona for 12 years.
What is your 3-Day history? (How many events have you walked/crewed) – I have walked one event per year since 2003 (10 events). Events include Arizona, Cleveland, Tampa, San Diego and San Francisco.
How/why did you first get involved with the 3-Day? – I lost my mother to cancer in November 2002. In February 2003, I heard a radio commercial for the 3-Day and knew I needed to be a part of this event. I convinced my husband, Adam, to walk with me in Arizona’s inaugural walk, and have been hooked ever since!
Are you part of any teams in 2014? – I have been the Captain of Team Pedi-Cure since 2004. I have been lucky enough to walk alongside my sister Ashley [Hutto, also a full series walker in 2014] since 2009 and our Dad walked with us in San Diego in 2010.
What made you decide to do all 7 events this year? – The stars are in alignment! After several years of hard work, I have a decent amount of funds saved and my husband got a job with a company that has a very generous matching gifts program.
What are your go-to fundraising strategies? – I have amazing family and friends who have generously supported me year after year. To supplement our fundraising, my sister Ashley and I started a side business in 2011 selling products on Amazon.
What are you looking forward to most with your walks this year? – I am looking forward to seeing the unique qualities of the 3-Day in each city.
Is there anything you are nervous about? – Humidity! One of the advantages of living in the desert for the past 12 years has been the dry heat. This is one element I haven’t trained for.
What are 3 words that you would use to describe the 3-Day? – Family, healing, addictive