Tag Archives: Boston 3-Day

Carl B.’s Journey to His 40th 3-Day

Carl B. and his fellow 3-Day walkers in Dallas.

When Carl B. first signed up for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® in 2006, he had a deeply personal reason for participating. Nearly two decades later, he’s still showing up, even though the circumstances that first brought him to the event have changed. 

“I did my first 3-Day in Boston two years after my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer, but when we separated, I questioned if this was still my mission,” Carl said.  

As he thought about that question, he found out that Teresa, a friend he had met through the 3-Day community, had passed away. Seeing her last Facebook post felt like a sign. 

“She left this poignant last Facebook post. I still go back and look at it for inspiration every so often. It’s still there, 12 years later,” Carl said. “She told her friends and family about hospice and about trying to keep her comfortable, and she ended it with, ‘I pray for better treatments.’” 

Carl B. also creates art inspired by his 3-Day journey.

Carl’s artwork inspired by the 3-Day.

Carl said Teresa’s words reminded him that the mission was bigger than his own story. 

“I haven’t looked back since,” he said.  

Over the years, his connection with the 3-Day community has only grown stronger. 

“After I got divorced, I had a whole new social circle enter my life. And Lord, probably 15% of them are affected by breast cancer and a few of them have died,” Carl said.  “It’s such a huge factor in my life, and some of my best friends in the world are people I’ve met on the 3-Day. I just can’t imagine not doing it.” 

To honor his friends who have died from breast cancer, many of whom he met through the 3-Day, Carl has a band of pink ribbons tattooed around his arm.  

Carl B. with his pink beard at the Boston 3-Day.

Now in his early 60s, Carl is looking forward to walking his 40th 3-Day at the Tampa Bay event in 2027. 

“I think that everybody needs to do something to make the world a better place,” Carl said. “So, I’ve been doing this for the past 20 plus years and I really enjoy it.”

Carl said being immersed in the Pink Bubble has also encouraged him to keep a closer eye on his own health. 

“I do check myself and I try to be aware of everything going on with my body,” he said. “I think that’s really the best way to detect something early.”

Carl B. and members of the Pink Bubble at the San Diego 3-Day halfway mark.

Raising Awareness for Male Breast Cancer at the 3-Day

Jake Messier is living with metastatic breast cancer and is seen at chemotherapy.

Jake M.,54, is preparing to walk his first Susan G. Komen Boston 3-Day® with one goal in mind: to raise awareness that men can get breast cancer, too. 

In 2023, Jake discovered a lump in his armpit while putting on deodorant. 

“In the moment, I thought it was weird, but I went on with my day,” Jake said. “Guys aren’t taught that when we find a lump, we should tell somebody.” 

He didn’t mention it until a routine physical months later. 

“My primary care physician listed off about 10 things that it could be and none of them were breast cancer,” Jake recalled. “But I’m thankful he wanted to be ultra sure and sent me for an ultrasound and mammogram, and then that snowballed to a biopsy.” 

Jake was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer—but he believes it was likely more advanced. 

Jake Messier and his wife are preparing to walk in the Susan G. Komen Boston 3-Day.

“I know I was likely misdiagnosed stage 2 and was actually stage 3,” Jake explained. “Then about a year later when it traveled to my hip, that’s when it metastasized.” 

Since then, he has undergone chemotherapy, a mastectomy, two additional surgeries and 10 weeks of radiation therapy. He also recently spent six weeks in a wheelchair after a hip biopsy.  

From Diagnosis to Advocacy 

Over the last two and a half years, Jake has turned his metastatic breast cancer (MBC) diagnosis into a personal mission.  

“Breast cancer is still seen as the pink disease—a woman’s disease,” Jake said. “I’m hoping to try and change that through the advocacy I do and by walking in the Komen 3-Day.” 

Through his TikTok account @theguywithstage4breastcancer, Jake shares his story to raise awareness and remind men to listen to their bodies and speak up when something doesn’t seem right.  

“If I can make an impact with whatever time I left have,” he said. “I want it to be this: men can get breast cancer.”  

Jake Messier takin a selfie at his chemotherapy appointment.

Putting the MEN in KOMEN 

That mission is what’s driving Jake to walk in the Boston 3-Day this summer. With his team, Putting the MEN in KOMEN, he hopes to raise $10,000 and bring greater visibility to male breast cancer. 

“The Boston 3-Day is a big event,” he said. “If people see me, a man, holding a sign that says men can get breast cancer too, and they remember that—that matters and that is huge.” 

To register for the 3-Day, visit the3day.org. 

Statements and opinions expressed are those of the individual and do not express the views or opinions of Susan G. Komen. This information is being provided for educational purposes only and is not to be construed as medical advice. Persons with breast cancer should consult their health care provider with specific questions or concerns about their treatment.
 

The 3-Day and the “Bravest Scared Mom”: Heather’s Story

Heather B. at the 2025 Susan G. Komen Boston 3-Day.

The 2025 Susan G. Komen Boston 3-Day® was Heather B.’s first breast cancer event, and it was unlike anything she had ever experienced. Over the course of three days, she pushed herself physically and mentally, formed new friendships and discovered just how strong she had become. 

But just a few years earlier, Heather’s life looked very different. 

She was 39, living at home on lockdown with two young children during the coronavirus pandemic, when she received a phone call that changed everything: “Heather, you have breast cancer.” 

There’s no way to prepare for that kind of news. Heather was terrified, but through that fear, she made a promise to herself. 

“I was going to be the bravest scared mom ever,” she said. 

Connecting to Others During Treatment 

Heather went through 16 rounds of chemotherapy, 28 sessions of radiation therapy, a double mastectomy and a full hysterectomy. She wanted to be as proactive as possible in her treatment. Just six months earlier, her children had lost their grandmother to cancer. 

“I was determined they would not lose their mom, too,” she said. 

The pandemic made an already overwhelming journey even harder. Heather’s care team required her to come alone for her medical appointments and treatments. No visitors. No hand to hold. No comfort of familiar faces. At times, she felt isolated, so she turned to online communities for connection.  

“I found others going through the same thing—and those relationships quickly became my lifeline,” she said. 

Heather B. and her friends at the 2025 Susan G. Komen Boston 3-Day.

Finding Purpose 

Somewhere in the middle of all the chaos that comes with a life-altering diagnosis, Heather found something unexpected: purpose. By supporting others diagnosed with breast cancer, sharing what she learned through her diagnosis and “simply listening,” she found healing in unexpected ways. 

In June, Heather celebrated five years as a survivor. She said people often question why she remains involved with the breast cancer community since she has already “beaten” cancer.  Heather said it’s simply because, “the journey doesn’t end when treatment does.” It carries lifelong impacts including physical and emotional side effects, scars, surgeries, anxiety, hormonal changes, fear and fatigue.  

“So, until there’s a cure, I’ll keep showing up— for myself, for my kids and for everyone sitting in a chemo chair feeling scared and uncertain, just like I did,” Heather added.  

For Heather, showing up began at her first 3-Day walk in Boston, and will continue at the 2027 Tampa Bay 3-Day, where she has plans to walk with her sister. For this “brave” mom, the strength that once carried her through breast cancer now carries her forward to offer hope to others.