BC Babes: Fundraising Powerhouse

Spaghetti dinners. Car washes. Restaurant nights. Bake sales. Garage sales. Facebook. These are all ways that the BC Babes, a Michigan powerhouse team that is currently 42 members strong, have raised money for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day. They boldly set their goal high – aiming to get as close to $1,000,000 as they could.

The BC Babes includes 25 walkers, 16 crew members, and 1 Youth Corps member, and is led by co-captains Beth and Heather. We had some time to talk to Beth about the BC Babes and their quest for reaching this goal (as of the time I write this, they’ve currently raised nearly $946,000), and we hope you find their story as inspiring as we do!

Members of the BC Babes at the 2014 Michigan 3-Day

Beth’s Komen 3-Day journey began as a family affair.

“The first year I walked with my oldest sister, Debbie, then my youngest sister, Michelle, (2003) and my third year walking (2005) I convinced by middle sister, Jeanne, to walk with me, and the BC Babes were born. I had met several other first time walkers at a Get Started Meeting and they asked if they could train with us since I had already done the walk several times and over the course of the first few months of training my sister and I formed the team.

“Over the years, I’ve had four teammates diagnosed with breast cancer, either during or after their 3-Day experience (thankfully, all are survivors today). Last year we lost our first teammate, Sr. Carol Juhasz, to breast cancer,” she said. “One of our newest Babes, Tracey A., walked in her first 3-Day last year. Her mother was a breast cancer survivor and she also had a cousin undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Tracey was walking to support these wonderful women in her life and came to our team through a 3-Day Meet-Up. After that evening Tracey came out and trained with the Babes, joining our team shortly after that first meeting. Her mom’s cancer came back late last year and has undergone treatment/surgery since that time and is doing very well. Tracey will once again be a part of the BC Babes family knowing the monies raised through this amazing weekend is one of the reasons her mom and cousin are here with her today,” she said.

These very personal reasons serve as a driving force for how Beth is able to manage her team and inspire them all to fundraise and train. “I monitor the fundraising of the team on a regular basis. If I see someone is not progressing I talk with them to make sure they’ve got a letter our or a fundraising strategy in place. As team, while training, we offer a variety of suggestions to help them if they’ve hit a dry spell. We’re always there to help anyone who is truly making their best effort to fundraise, and we do want to see that you have put this [fundraising] as a priority in your 3-Day adventure,” she said.

Beth is also quick to point out that she couldn’t lead the team on her own, and applauds her co-captain, Heather, for helping to keep this amazing team on track. “Heather has been my co-captain and fellow training walk leader for about 6 years now. We mostly keep in contact with the team through emails, but since both Heather and I are training walk leaders we see the Babes on a regular basis at training walks and keep up with them while walking,” she said.

Members of the BC Babes yesterday with Dr. Sheri Prentiss, National Spokesperson for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day

And what does it feel like, to look out among the sea of pink on Friday morning, and know that more than 42 people in the crowd are part of the BC babes? “It’s an amazing feeling. I’ve been blessed to have been a part of the Opening Ceremony several times and seeing my Babes family out there warms my heart! The love, dedication and kindness they show not only to fellow Babes but to the entire 3-Day family just makes me happy!” On behalf of the entire 3-Day family, we thank people like the BC Babes and all of you, for doing everything you can to help end breast cancer forever.

Congratulations to Pala L., the 2015 Michigan 3-Day Milestone Award Winner

The Susan G. Komen 3-Day^® Milestone Award is given at each event to one walker who has an outstanding history or participation in the Komen 3-Day, and we were thrilled to recognize the incredible Pala L. with this special honor in Michigan last night. Pala has walked in 14 3-Day® events since 2009, and this year, she has the distinction of being a 3-Day series walker, meaning she will be walking all seven 3-Day events. High five, Pala!

Pala became familiar with the 3-Day when she saw it happening near where she lived. “Like many people, it was something I thought about once in a while. The idea of camping, something I had never done, did not appeal to me (not realizing I could sleep elsewhere if I wanted). So I never acted. Two years out of treatment, however, the 3-Day came right in front of my house! And the following year as well. What an experience THAT was! After having walkers continually thank ME for standing in my yard and cheering, I knew I had to try this ONCE (Pala laughs!) to see what it was all about.“

Pala has raised, at press time, just under $52,000. “I literally fundraise year-round. Some months more activities than others, but it seems it is the only way I can get it done. On the flip side, it also keeps the 3-Day in the faces of everyone I know,” she said.

What advice would Pala give to somebody new to the 3-Day? “Prepare. In order to have both a successful and fun weekend, you need to train and have the proper gear, including clothing. Work out all uncomfortable issues during training season. This is not the time to skimp on the cost of a good pair of shoes. Or socks. Your feet will thank you!”

Thank you, Pala, for your continued dedication to the 3-Day and the fight against breast cancer. We have a feeling she’ll be back next year, because in her words, what brings her back to the 3-Day is “The feeling. The feeling of doing good for others. The feeling of accomplishment. The feeling of knowing we are making a difference. The feeling of love, caring and kindness. When you can’t wait an entire year to experience these feelings, you walk more than one 3-Day per year!”

Congratulations to the 2015 Michigan 3-Day Top Fundraisers!

Day 1 of the 2015 Michigan 3-Day has come to a close, and we’re celebrating being 20 miles closer to the end of breast cancer. The first day was filled with spirited excitement from all around the community: from the buzzing bees of Pit Stop 1, to the endless sea of pink at cheering stations, and the constant smiles on our 3-Day family’s faces as we walked with purpose.

Please join us in congratulating the top fundraisers for the Michigan 3-Day!

Top Individual Fundraiser

Bert Stein raised $21,379 this year, and in his lifetime, has raised an astonishing $196,226. He has participated in the 3-Day for 11 years and this is his 11^th event. Bert has been married for 61 years to his wife Marion, and he has four daughters and three granddaughters. Bert continues to walk in the hopes that they will never have to know this disease. Bert is 83 years old.

Top Crew Fundraisers

Lori Olson and Sandi Severi share the honor of being our Top Crew Fundraisers this year, each having raised a remarkable $6,300. Lori has raised $32,777 in her lifetime, and has participated in 11 events over her six year history with the 3-Day. Sandi has raised a total of $25,168 in her lifetime, and has been participating for three years (this is her 5^th event). Sandi and Lori started participating in the 3-Day in 2010 in different roles: Lori as a walker and Sandi as a walker stalker. Since then, between the two of them, they have walked 3 cities. This event makes it 12 combined events which they’ve crewed, and they have walker-stalked 14 events. Sandi’s mom is a 15 year survivor. Lori’s mom lost her battle to breast cancer in 2010 to breast cancer after a long, courageous fight.

Top Team Fundraisers

Congratulations to the Hines Pink Pathers, who proudly count 67 team members in the Michigan 3-Day. The Hines Pink Pathers raised $97,774 this year (WOW!) and with a lifetime team total of $965,669, are on their way to hitting the $1,000,000 mark, an accomplishment that only a few 3-Day teams have reached.

Please join us in congratulating all of the amazing walkers, crew members, and teams who made a huge difference in the fight against breast cancer with their fundraising. Your commitment and dedication inspire us!