New England Route Preview 2023

We’re kicking off the 3-Day season with our New England 3-Day on August 18 in the historic city of Boston! From its serene harbor and countless colonial monuments to some of America’s most iconic sports teams, Boston is jam-packed with sights to see. With its small-town charm, this New England hub contains a wealth of some of the country’s oldest treasures and offers a captivating glimpse into the past. We’re excited to share with you some incredible landmarks you’re sure to see on your 60-mile walk during the New England 3-Day.

Day 1

We’ll start the adventure in the beautiful suburbs of Brookline and Newton where you can enjoy the tree-lined streets and picturesque neighborhoods. As you make your way towards the heart of the city, embrace the history surrounding you! Then as you head over the Charles River, immerse yourself in the vibrant campus atmosphere of Boston University. This beautiful campus sits nestled by the stunning Charles River, providing a beautiful environment for students and walkers alike.

As you complete your venture across the river, you’ll find yourself in the center of the iconic Harvard Square in Cambridge. Here you’ll have the chance to marvel at one of the world’s most prestigious academic institutions, Harvard University. Take a moment to soak in the scholarly ambiance and admire the breathtaking architecture surrounding you.

While in Cambridge, you’ll witness a touch of urban artistry as you stroll past Graffiti Alley. Marvel at the vibrant murals and expressive street art that adorn the walls, showcasing the city’s creative spirit, making it a perfect backdrop for some pictures with your Pink Bubble family. Even if you’ve walked the New England 3-Day in years prior, the alley’s constantly evolving nature means that each visit offers a unique experience; kind of like your journey as a walker!

Day 2

Begin day 2 passing by The Old State House, one of the oldest public buildings in the United States that holds great significance in American history. Originally built in 1713 as the seat of colonial government in Massachusetts, this building played a crucial role in several key events leading up to the American Revolution. Take the spirit of the Pink Bubble over to the iconic bar Cheers, made famous by the hit TV show. Snap a picture and see why this classic American bar where everybody knows your name still holds up.

Get ready to dive into the world-class sporting culture of Boston! As you walk past Fenway Park, you’ll be transported to a world of cheering crowds, crackling bats, and the thrill of victory. Standing proudly since 1912 as home of the world-famous Boston Red Sox, this massive venue withstands the test of time as America’s oldest Major League Baseball park. Learn about the team’s storied history and get close and personal with the electric atmosphere of the legendary stadium.

As you continue your journey, you’ll soon pass by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute where Komen-funded research is conducted. Susan G. Komen Scholar, Dr. Sara M. Tolaney spends her days here focused on developing combination therapies for metastatic breast cancer subtypes that normally do not benefit from immunotherapy. She does so by determining the impact of including a novel antibody drug conjugate to enhance the immune response.

With inspiration in tow, continue your journey toward the beautiful Jamaica Pond, a picturesque, 68-acre freshwater pond surrounded by lush greenery. Bear witness to sailing, kayaking, and canoeing and breathe in fresh air surrounding the tranquil oasis. Still thirsty for cool Boston landmarks? Next up is a stroll past the Sam Adams Brewery where the renowned beer is brewed daily before wrapping up your day at Symphony Hall.

Day 3

On the final day of your 3-Day walk, you’ll visit the Boston Marathon Finish Line. Pay homage to the spirit of the marathon and the inspiring athletes who have crossed this hallowed mark. Much like your 60-mile journey, this landmark serves as a symbol of determination and resilience.

Make your way to the historic Boston Common and Frog Pond, a tranquil oasis in the heart of the city, and follow the footsteps of centuries past as you explore the storied Freedom Trail. Here, you’ll be able to admire the USS Constitution, the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world, and the Bunker Hill Monument, a tribute to the Revolutionary War. Marvel at the Paul Revere Statue and immerse yourself in the stories of the Boston Tea Party. Friendly reminder that if you’re interested in visiting the Public Garden, be sure to schedule a trip before the 3-Day begins as it is not accessible on event.

For a touch of whimsy, make a stop at the Hood Milk Bottle, a unique landmark that is sure to bring a smile to your face as you head toward the Finish Line Festival. Continue your walk through South Boston, affectionately known as “Southie”, and make a stop at the local favorite L Street Tavern made famous by the movie Good Will Hunting. Pass by the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library where you can learn about JFK’s inspiring leadership and steep yourself in the exhibits.

As you complete your New England 3-Day journey through Boston, you will have experienced the city’s historical charm, vibrant neighborhoods and notable attractions. From the cobbled streets of Harvard Square to the fabled Fenway Park, each step will reveal a new facet of this captivating city. Boston’s rich backstory and warm hospitality will leave you with memories that will last a lifetime. So, lace up your walking shoes and get ready for an unforgettable adventure through the heart of New England. While you’re out on the route this year, don’t forget to take plenty of pictures and post using the hashtag #NE3Day for a chance to be featured on our social media!

What are you looking forward to experiencing most at the 2023 New England 3-Day?

Take Your Training Walks to the Next Level with a Head Turning Theme!

First things first, we see all of you training (thank you for posting all your fun training walk pics on our Facebook groups!), and we are so proud of you! Every step you take both at the 3-Day and leading up to the event is pivotal in the fight against breast cancer. Not only are 3-Day training walks important to prepare your body for 60, 40 or 20 miles, but they also serve as a sneak peek into the beloved Pink Bubble! As you may know, in addition to the incredible community, one of the best parts of the Pink Bubble is the head-turning outfits that walkers put together for the event. The boundaries of Pink Bubble fashion are pushed every year and we can’t wait to see what you put together for 2023. That said, let’s kick things up a notch and add some fun themes and costumes to your training walks as you prepare for the 3-Day and spread awareness. Be sure to train in the clothing and equipment you plan to use at the event so you can get a feel for what it will be like walking in it. Keep reading for some of our favorite themes to truly transform your 2023 training walks.

Think Pink:?If 3-Day attire could be described in one word, that word would be PINK! Gather as much pink as you can find and remember that there’s no such thing as overdoing it. We’re envisioning a head-to-toe Barbie dream moment.
Tie-Dye:?Whether you already have a masterpiece in your closet or want to have some fun making a brand-new pink psychedelic swirl, tie dye is a simple way to level up any outfit. Try out some new shapes or stick with the classic tie-dye design; the sky’s the limit.

Pick a Decade:?Maybe you have a shirt from the 80’s sitting in your closet, or you just have a special appreciation for the 1920s. Regardless of what decade speaks to you, go all out and transform yourself to what you imagine a walker of that time would wear.
Crazy Hair:?Regardless of trends, one thing is always in style at the 3-Day and that’s fun hair! Wigs, hair paint, glitter, hair clips, wacky hairdos, and more are a pivotal part of the Pink Bubble. Rock some out-of-the-box locks on your next training walk and you’re sure to pull focus throughout your community.

Sparkle Away: Catch the light and attention as you walk in the most sparkly outfit you’ve got! Sequins, glitter, metallics, you name it! Get your friends to join in on the fun and shine bright like a diamond on your next walk.
Go Team:?Put on your favorite sports jersey and rep the team you’re always rooting for. Maybe it’s a professional basketball player or your old soccer jersey. Either way, it’ll give you that extra power you’ve been looking for.
Holiday Cheer: Pick your favorite holiday, no matter the season, and go all out. From reindeer antlers to spooky socks, gather up your favorite holiday gear and spread joy around your community with each step. Stick to one holiday or combine a bunch to create the most festive outfit you’ve got!

Mismatched Mayhem: Put together an outfit that you wouldn’t normally wear. Combine the boldest patterns and colors in your closet to really make a statement as you strut in style. Go for plaid, neon, polka dots, chevron, and anything else you that can find; the more striking the better!
Beloved Bras:?A group of walkers wearing bras atop their clothing is bound to capture the spotlight. Whether fastened over your shirt, as a hat or however else you can think to fashion it, have fun with a bra-themed training walk and spark conversation wherever you wander.

With the 3-Day just around the corner, a themed training walk is a fantastic way to spread joy throughout your community. Whether you rock a pink wig or jingle all the way around town, the opportunities for a statement outfit are endless. Whatever theme you may choose, we know you’ll look great strutting in style. You may even encourage interactions with unsuspecting supporters. Each new curious passerby could become one of your new donors. Be sure to print out a bunch of fundraising and information cards (grab yours at The3Day.org/Cards) to hand out to people who ask about your amazing ensemble.

Do you have a go-to training walk theme or something you have been itching to try? Share it with us in the comments below.

PLEASE NOTE: THE HEALTH, SAFETY AND TRAINING INFORMATION PROVIDED TO YOU IN CONNECTION WITH YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THE 3-DAYIS NOT INTENDED TO REPLACE OR BE CONSTRUED AS MEDICAL ADVICE AND ANY SUCH INFORMATION IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR SEEKING MEDICAL ADVICE OR TREATMENT FROM YOUR MEDICAL PROVIDER. BEFORE STARTING ANY EXERCISE PROGRAM OR FOLLOWING ANY RECOMMENDATIONS, ADVICE OR OTHER INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING TRAINING FOR THE KOMEN 3-DAY OR ANY ATHLETIC EVENT, YOU SHOULD FIRST CONSULT A PHYSICIAN AND HAVE A PHYSICAL EXAMINATION.

July Pink Bubble Story of the Month — Emily W.

Year in and year out, the Pink Bubble takes over cities from coast to coast, forming a sea of pink wigs, bras, smiles, and hope. Everyone gathers with the same goal— to raise funds in the fight against breast cancer. Amid the army of pink comradery, however, are thousands of individuals with unique stories depicting why they decided to commit to the Susan G. Komen 3-Day. Today, we get to share with you the story of Emily W., a member of the Komen 3-Day Advisory Council who is taking on all five 3-Day walks this year Emily first learned about the 3-Day in 2017 while reading Nancy Brinker’s book Promise Me, which depicts the true story of Nancy’s commitment to her sister Susan G. Komen to lift the stigmatized silence that surrounded breast cancer. “I recall listening to a story about a mother and daughter walking in San Diego after the mother’s fight with breast cancer,” Emily commented. “I thought walking in honor of my mother-in-law Lori would be a great way to show my support for her survivorship.” With her motivation clear, Emily went on to walk her first 3-Day in Michigan that same year. She arrived as a solo walker but quickly met her current team at the Opening Ceremony, recalling that she “did not spend a moment alone the rest of the weekend!” From that moment on, Emily was a member of the Pink Bubble for the long haul. The next year, she walked with her new team, the BC Babes, in Michigan where her mother-in-law Lori and Lori’s daughter, Heather, walked by her side. In 2019, Emily walked again in Michigan with her best friend Rachelle, now a triple-negative breast cancer survivor! In 2021, Emily herself received a stage 3 breast cancer diagnosis. However, this only motivated her to push further in her advocacy and participate in 3-Day Nation that same year. She went on to receive 16 rounds of chemotherapy treatment, a double mastectomy, 33 radiation treatments, and two explant surgeries due to breast implant illness. In 2022, Emily continued walking, where she fiercely took on the 3-Day in both Chicago and San Diego, for a total of 120 miles completed as a breast cancer survivor.

As she awaits her final reconstructive surgery, Emily looks forward to walking in all five 3-Day events in 2023. “I didn’t know how to limit my passion for finding a cure, so I decided to take on the ultimate challenge,” she declared. Joining her will be her daughter Ava, a member of the Youth Corps in both Chicago and Dallas, as well as her friends and teammates, first-time walkers Rachel (San Diego) and Katie (Dallas), and two-time walkers Mary Beth (Dallas) and Kodi (Denver).

In addition to walking 300 miles across five cities this year, Emily serves as a member of the Advisory Council to ensure her voice is heard during important exchanges regarding the future of the 3-Day. As the needs of breast cancer patients change, she says it is crucial that survivors and advocates of breast cancer be on the forefront of these conversations. As a member of the Advisory Council, Emily attends virtual meetings each month to discuss 3-Day planning, fundraising challenges, and how we can all ensure the 3-Day is the best it can be.

When asked about the fundraising portion of the 3-Day, Emily emphasized the groundbreaking research being done every day by Susan G. Komen, and how each dollar raised contributes to life-changing clinical trials. She even shared a story of the time she met a man whose father’s lung cancer was treated by a trial drug funded by Susan G. Komen breast cancer research. For anyone who is interested in joining the 3-Day, Emily provided us with some words of encouragement and wisdom. “You will meet humans like no one else on earth. You will hear stories of grief and stories of victory. You will share your why and hear the why’s of others. And it’s okay if your why is, ‘I’m not sure why.’” She acknowledged that there is time away from work and family, that raising $2,300 can be a challenge, and that walking 60 miles is a lot, but that breast cancer is harder. “And if you’re not signing up because you are not sure you can walk 60 miles, sign up! It’s supposed to be a challenge.” Now is as good a time as any to get started!

Finally, Emily shared with us an insightful description of the Pink Bubble. “Are we a whole bunch of people dressed in pink dancing down the street? Heck yes! But we are also passionate, hardworking, far-walking, money-raising cancer crushers!” With her courage and tenacity, Emily truly embodies what it means to be a 3-Dayer. Whether you are like Emily in 2017, walking your first 3-Day just to do some good in the world, or if you’re a breast cancer survivor like Emily today, the Pink Bubble always welcomes you with open arms. And remember to say hi to Emily if you see her walking this year in New England, Denver, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, or San Diego!

See previous Pink Bubble Story of the Month blog posts here.