Congratulations to the 2015 Philadelphia 3-Day Award Winners!

At the Susan G. Komen Philadelphia 3-Day earlier this month, we were pleased to recognize some of our outstanding Komen 3-Day participants with special awards given out in camp.

Top Fundraisers

We recognized the top individual, crew and team fundraisers for the Philadelphia 3-Day® in camp on Friday.

For the second year in a row, Priscilla Rawlins (sweep team) was the top crew fundraiser in Philadelphia, raising $5,793 this year, and an incredible $60,075 over her seven years with the 3-Day. Priscilla is a member of Team Girlapalooza, which also got a special team recognition in camp for passing the $1 million in team fundraising this year (they’ve been a team since 2008). As for Priscilla, when she’s not participating and fundraising for the 3-Day, she coaches softball, loves Nationals baseball, and is obsessed with her FitBit.

susan g. komen 3-Day breast cancer walk blog philadelphia award winners top fundraiser team breast friends of pennsylvania

Team captain Vivien (left)

The top fundraising team in Philadelphia was Breast Friends of Pennsylvania, which, with 79 team members was also the largest team on the Philly 3-Day this year. Team captain Vivian Vega-Schoch, along with her two 2016 co-captains, was recognized for the team’s amazing $145,619 fundraising total (though team members were quick to point out from the audience that they had actually surpassed $146,000 since we had last checked their fundraising total!). In their four years as a Philadelphia 3-Day team, Breast Friends of Pennsylvania has raised over $478,000.

Philadelphia’s top individual fundraiser was Riley Weston, a member of team Faith Girlz, who was participating in her fifth 3-Day this year in Philly. Riley raised a remarkable $22,553 this year, and over five 3-Day events, has raised a lifetime total of $86,555. Riley will proudly tell you that she believes that miracles exist, that fairy tales come true and that prayers can change outcomes, and Inside her petite frame beats a big heart, as she asked her Philly 3-Day family to send their own powerful healing thoughts to her best buddy, her dog Cleatus.

Heaps of thanks go out to all of the Philly 3-Day walkers, crew members and supporters who helped bring the Philadelphia 3-Day to $2.7 million in total donations.

Milestone Award

Philly coach Joanne (left) presents Candice with the Milestone Award

In Friday’s camp show, we also honored the Philadelphia 3-Day Milestone Award winner. This award is given on each 3-Day event to one participant who has an extraordinary history of involvement with the 3-Day. Philly’s Milestone Award was given to Candice Kiss, from The Pink Angels.

Candice has been part of the 3-Day family for 9 years, and the 2015 Philadelphia 3-Day marked her 14^th event. During her time with the 3-Day, Candice has raised over $105,000, and in addition to the 3-Day this globe-trotting walker has also participated in Komen Race for the Cure® events in Egypt and Israel and the Marathon for the Cure® (half marathon) in Phoenix, AZ. But it’s not just breast cancer events that draw her to the far corners of the globe: a new-found interest in genealogy recently took Candice on an exploration of the Azores, an archipelago of 9 volcanic islands off the coast of Portugal. Wow!

But it’s Candice’s history with the 3-Day that earned her the Milestone Award. Her friend and coworker Elizabeth said, “Candice is the consummate business professional, extremely conscientious and dedicated. These traits extend to her personal activities as well. Her dedication to the Susan G. Komen® organization and breast cancer awareness is awe-inspiring, as each year brings a greater level of hard work and new activity. Her bright personality never wanes and offers hope to others around her. I consider myself lucky to be one of Candice’s friends.” Another friend and fellow walker Sharyn had this to say about Candice: “I’m so excited Candice will be recognized for her dedication and passion. I met her years ago, when she either volunteered or worked for the Komen Affiliate. Fast forward to our mutual friendship with Bridget [a friend who passed away in 2013] and that’s where her passion, and love for her really shined. She is a tireless fundraiser for this cause. She is quiet, unassuming and humble. She’s one you want in your corner.”

Congratulations, Candice, and thank you for your years of dedication to the 3-Day community. We’re sure glad we have you in our corner.

Local Impact Award

The Local Impact Award is a new award for 2015, and is being presented to a participant in each 3-Day city who has been instrumental in strengthening the 3-Day in their community throughout the year. Local Impact Award honorees are participants who go above and beyond with things like leading training walks, attending local events, supporting the local 3-Day staff year-round at meet-ups and workshops, and in general, making a difference in their 3-Day community by building lasting relationships and showing commitment to the 3-Day in all they do.

On Saturday in camp, we presented the Philadelphia Local Impact Award to Joanne Faccenda. Joanne is the captain of J-Walkers for the Cure, and has participated as a walker and crew member in 19 events over her 10 years with the 3-Day, not only in Philadelphia, but also the Twin Cities, San Diego, Tampa, Seattle, Washington, D.C., Cleveland and Atlanta. She has raised a total of $23,645.

Joanne has been involved with the 3-Day since 2006, after she lost a friend who was only 40 years old to cancer. She quickly became a vocal 3-Day advocate and has been essential to leading many fundraisers over the years, including ones for new walkers she befriends simply to be a source of support. Joanne has been known to travel long distances to help her fellow 3-Day walkers, and her friend Dawn told us, “Joanne makes a huge impact on other 3-Day participants. She is very encouraging and a wealth of information to first time walkers.”

Joanne’s J-Walkers teammate Maria said, “She’s everyone’s teammate. If she’s walking, you’ll never walk alone. If not, she might be hanging out a window ready to help you into her decked out, very inviting sweep van.” Joanne’s friend Astrid agreed, saying “She is one of the most caring people I know. She always puts everyone in front of herself.”

Join us in congratulating and thanking Joanne for her extraordinary commitment to the Philadelphia 3-Day. And thanks, as always, to the entire Philadelphia 3-Day family for another spectacular year.

Catching Up With the Atlanta 3-Day Coaches

Before last year’s Susan G. Komen 3-Day® series, we introduced the local coaches from each Komen 3-Day. These are the staff members who support the walkers and crew members all year round, answering phone calls and emails, hosting community events, assigning crew captains and juggling dozens of other tasks to make sure that the 3-Day® participants make it to their events excited and well prepared.

Since we gave you the coaches’ full profiles last year, we’ll delight you with just a fun update before each event this year. This week, we catch up with the Atlanta 3-Day coaches (you can read last year’s “Meet the Atlanta Coaches” here)!

What was your favorite memory from the 2014 Atlanta 3-Day?

Susan (Atlanta Participant Coach) – It’s really hard to pick just one, but this stands out: I registered a gentleman early in the year last year who called in. He and I spoke forever, and I was so excited to meet him in person at one of our Training Kick-Off Events. He was walking for his wife who passed away from breast cancer. I caught him before Opening Ceremony, and told him how happy I was to see him, and how glad I was that he called me. He told me then that making that call was the hardest thing he had ever done. It was so great to see his journey right from the start, and to know the kind of impact it had on him.

Tara (Atlanta Local Events Coach) – I loved seeing so many of the walkers I had been working with all season make it across that finish line, with a hobble to their step and a smile on their face, telling me that it was indeed the most amazing weekend, like I said it would be!

Libby (Atlanta Crew & Volunteer Coordinator) – My favorite memory was watching the crew members cheer for the walkers as they entered camp. Camping indoors can be tricky, and the crew always goes out of their way to make the walkers feel special.

Fun facts about the Atlanta 3-Day Coaches – Can you guess which fun fact is true about which coach? (There are 3 facts about each coach; answers will be at the end of the Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day coaches’ check-in later in October!)

There is nothing I love more than being at the beach.
I frequent Target AT LEAST once a week. I find it calming to just browse the aisles and of course the end caps to see the clearance items.
After a trip to wine country in Napa last year, I very much want to learn how to become a winemaker.
I love roller coasters but have a huge fear of falling…figure that one out!
If I didn’t have my current awesome job I have always wanted to be a radio DJ.
I am a new mom and I am experiencing how quickly your wants and needs change once you have a child. Baby clothes are just so much cuter to shop for!
I’m currently in love with all things almond. Almond butter, almond milk, chocolate covered- you name it.
I crave change and adventure and love all of the amazing places my job has taken me and the fabulous people I have met along the way.
I love shopping. And I’m pretty sure that I was the original workout wear queen. You can’t have too many sneakers!

Looking for the answers from the Philadelphia Coaches’ Fun Facts post? Here they are!

1) Melanie; 2) Joanne; 3) Jen; 4) Joanne; 5) Jen; 6) Melanie; 7) Jen; 8) Melanie; 9) Joanne

2015 Philadelphia 3-Day Wrap-up

When talking about the 2015 Philadelphia 3-Day walkers and crew members, one thing is certain: these are not people who back down when faced with adversity. Not even the threat of a hurricane, and the full Friday of pouring rainfall that accompanied it, could dampen these amazing people’s spirits. They arrived on the cold Friday morning, when the sky was still only drizzling, ready and motivated for the day to come. Rarely have you seen such a well-prepared bunch of individuals, decked out in duct-taped shoes, rain jackets and pants and plastic ponchos galore. No mere rainstorm was going to stop these folks!

Even with the rainy atmosphere, the Opening Ceremony–hosted by our wonderful 3-Day spokesperson Dr. Sheri Prentiss and Chrissy Mathews from Susan G. Komen®, along with Joanne Harrington, the Philadelphia local events coach–was both exciting and touching. Walkers were wished good luck and sent on their way out of Willow Grove and through the suburbs north of Philadelphia, as the rain began falling more steadily. Pit stops at local parks in Ardsley and Oreland fueled walkers on, as they continued passing through beautiful residential areas. The rain didn’t stop people, including dozens of enthusiastic school children and a cheering station in Chestnut Hill, from coming out and cheering for the 3-Day as it passed.

Walkers got a much needed break from the now-torrential rains at the lunch stop, where they were fortunate enough to be able to eat indoors. Who knew that the floor of a gymnasium would be such a welcome place to relax? At lunch, many walkers enjoyed being able to shed their rain gear for a bit, and if necessary, replace their feet coverings for the second soggy half of the day.

After lunch, walkers trekked on the tree-covered Wissahickon Trail and through the Historic Rittenhouse Town before turning along the Schuylkill River, past Boathouse Row on approach to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. There, after a brief stop at pit stop 4, walkers got another nice little span of indoor walking, as the route actually took them through the museum instead of around it, as in past years. When they emerged on the front side, walkers got a scenic (though cloudy) peek at the downtown Philly skyline, and a trip down the “Rocky” steps to the final stretch to camp at the Pennsylvania Convention Center (hooray for being indoors!).

The camp show on Friday brought back the hosts from the morning’s Opening Ceremony, Dr. Sheri and Chrissy, as well as an inspirational speech by 6-time 3-Day walker Jodi, who is a very recent breast cancer survivor, having just been diagnosed earlier this year. We also recognized Philadelphia’s top training walk leader, top fundraisers and Milestone Award Winner.

The rain worked its way through Philly (for the most part) on Friday, and Saturday brought chilly, but mercifully drier conditions. Walkers left the downtown area for points west, including Bala Cynwyd and it’s packed and enthusiastic cheering station, and the communities of Narberth and Ardmore. The route criss-crossed Montgomery Ave., past beautiful historic homes, making its way to the lunch stop at Haverford College, amidst brick and stone buildings and a quaint and picturesque duck pond. After lunch, walkers began making their way back toward downtown, and passed through JFK Square, where the fountain was dyed a brilliant pink in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and many walkers stopped to snap pics in front of the famous LOVE statue. Another quick half-mile, and it was home sweet home again at 3-Day camp.

Saturday’s camp show had 3-Dayers laughing (wasn’t the costume relay race a kick?) and crying, with a powerful speech from co-survivor Jaime—a 7-time walker who does the 3-Day in honor of her mom, aunt and cousin, who are all survivors—and moving messages from the Philadelphia 3-Day Youth Corps. We also recognized Philadelphia’s Local Impact Award winner. After that, it was the always fun and crazy Saturday night dance party.

Walkers headed out on Day 3 for a breezy 15 miles. Within a few miles, they had a stroll through some of Philly’s historical hot spots, including Elfreth’s Alley, the oldest continuously occupied street in America, as well as Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. Pit stop 1 at The Porch allowed weary walkers the chance to relax in some whimsical swings before moving on. The route continued through South Philadelphia, and when it passed by Geno’s and Pat’s, rival proprietors (they’re literally right across the street from each other) of Philly’s most famous culinary delight, the cheesesteak, many walkers took the opportunity for an early lunch. After the official 3-Day lunch stop at South Philadelphia High School, it was a short few miles to the finish line at the Navy Yard, where hundreds of friends and family members awaited their returning walkers with hugs and tears. And with spectacular timing, the sun began peeking through and clouds made way for blue skies right as the final walkers were coming home. Even though the temperatures warmed a bit with the sunshine, the beauty of it was enough to give you chills.

The Philadelphia 3-Day Closing Ceremony was once again hosted by Dr. Sheri, Chrissy and Joanne, who kept the crowd pumped up through a small technical glitch, before carrying on with an extremely touching and inspiring Ceremony. We thanked our many wonderful supporters, sponsors and local jurisdictions, and we shared an especially joyful moment when Chrissy shared that an amazing $2.7 million was raised by Philadelphia’s 1,000 walkers and 300 crew members. Amidst hugs and tears, the 2015 Philadelphia 3-Day family stood united in the City of Brotherly Love, sharing our renewed promise to never give up on the way to our goal of a world without breast cancer.

Don’t forget to view a sneak peek of photos from the Philadelphia 3-Day here, and watch our Facebook page for a full album you can download and share later this week!

The 3-Day Blog

Tag Archives: 2015 3-Day

Congratulations to the 2015 Philadelphia 3-Day Award Winners!

Catching Up With the Atlanta 3-Day Coaches

2015 Philadelphia 3-Day Wrap-up