How the Youth Corps Led Kim C. to a Career in Ministry

Kim and Jennifer C. at the Komen 3-Day with angel wings on their headbands.

For many participants, the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® is more than just a walk—it’s the start of something bigger. For Kim C., it was the beginning of a lifelong journey dedicated to service.

“I love working with youth and watching them grow through life,” Kim said. “And a big part of that is because of where I started.”

Kim’s 3-Day story began in 2012, when she joined the Youth Corps at the age of 12. The Youth Corps is a special group of young volunteers, ages 10 to 16, who support walkers during the 3-Day by offering a helping hand, cheering them on and lifting their spirits every step of the way.

Kim first learned about the Youth Corps from her mother, Jennifer, who attended an informational meeting for the Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day and thought the program could be a great opportunity for her daughter.

Kim at the age of 12 with her mom in her Youth Corps sweater. “She was very shy and unsure of herself at that time,” Jennifer recalled. “But when she started on the Youth Corps, I watched her transformation begin right away.”

Kim volunteered for three years with the Youth Corps, and it became a defining part of her teenage years.

“We would go up to the walkers and ask if we could walk with them for a minute,” Kim said. “It was always mid-day, right before lunch. We got to hear their stories and connect with them, and we would encourage them to keep going because at that time of the day they’d usually be exhausted.”

Kim says those meaningful conversations left a last impression on her, not just because of what she gave but also because of what she received.

“There is something really powerful about getting outside of your own lived experiences and talking with people who’ve been through different struggles,” she said. “That’s a really formational part of life.”

Kim and her mom, Jennifer, at the 3-Day in pink hats.

Now 25, Kim has been involved in the 3-Day for more than half her life. In that time, she supported countless walkers and raised over $38,000 to help end breast cancer.

Today, Kim has dedicated her life to supporting young people. She recently earned a Master of Arts in ministry from Southern Methodist University, graduating summa cum laude. Today, she works full-time as a youth ministry associate at a Texas church, leading mission trips where youth repair houses and serve at food banks.

“For the past 13 years, I have watched Kim blossom from being a Youth Corps member to a 3-Day walker and now as a Youth Corps leader,” Jennifer said. “With each event she participates in, she grows stronger, more confident and realizes how much she enjoys helping people.”

Kim and Jennifer’s dedication to the 3-Day is also deeply personal. Kim was named after her mother’s best friend, lovingly known as, “Big Kim,” who was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 39 and died when Kim was just 5 months old.

“Breast cancer has always been close to home for us, and it always will,” Jennifer added.

This fall, Jennifer will walk in the San Diego 3-Day, while Kim will be leading the Youth Corps in Dallas/Fort Worth. They said they look forward to continuing a shared 3-Day journey they began together more than a decade ago.

Kim and her mom, Jennifer, at the 3-Day holding hands wearing angel wings.

Friendship, Survivorship and the 3-Day

Lesleigh & Jamie at the San Diego 3-Day camping in their pink tent.

When Lesleigh H. signed up for the Susan G. Komen San Diego 3-Day® in 2009, she never expected it would lead to a lasting friendship. Looking for training partners, she reached out to fellow walkers in her area and that’s when she met Jamie R.

“Jamie showed up. Some other people showed up, too,” Lesleigh recalled. “But Jamie and I walked the same pace, we both have long legs, we lived in the same neighborhood. We just hit it off.”

That first training walk sparked more than just preparation for the 60-mile 3-Day. It marked the beginning of a friendship that would help carry them through some of the hardest moments of their lives.

Lesleigh and Jamie met at a training walk in 2009 for the Susan G. Komen San Deiego 3-Day.

Lesleigh and Jamie walked together in the 2009 and 2011 San Diego 3-Days, bonding over shared stories, laughter and a mutual drive to support breast cancer awareness and research. But as life got busy, they took a break from the 3-Day, never imagining that one day they’d return, not just as walkers but as having experienced breast cancer up close and personal.

A Shocking Diagnosis

In 2017, Lesleigh was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer after discovering a painful lump in her breast.

“It’s like the ground disappears from underneath you. It’s shocking,” Lesleigh said. “When the doctor told me it was just going to be a bump in the road and I wasn’t going to die, I cried because I was so thankful.”

Lesleigh underwent a lumpectomy, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. In 2019, she returned to the 3-Day, this time walking with Jamie by her side, in her honor.

Lesleigh and Jamie at the halfway point of the Susan G. Komen San Diego 3-Day.

But then, in 2022, Jamie received her own diagnosis.

“Because of COVID, I put off my mammogram for a year,” Jamie explained. “They found a lump that was the size of a Tic Tac, so it was very small. I was very fortunate.”

Jamie’s treatment included a lumpectomy, radiation therapy and ongoing estrogen blockers to treat her hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative invasive ductal carcinoma.

Return to the 3-Day

This November, Lesleigh and Jamie are returning to the San Diego 3-Day once again. This time, with even deeper meaning.

“Lesleigh is turning 60, it’s my third year of survivorship,” Jamie said. “So, we’re walking 60 miles for her 60 years and three days for my three years.”

Their bond has only grown stronger over time, not just through their breast cancer journeys, but through the unwavering support they’ve given each other.

“She lifts me up. She challenges me and she shows me the way, not just the fight for cancer but for other things, too,” Lesleigh said, fighting back tears. “She’s just the best person ever.”

More Than a Walk

Lesleigh and Jamie walking near the beach at the Susan G. Komen San Diego 3-Day.

For both Lesleigh and Jamie, the 3-Day is about so much more than walking.

“It’s challenging, but also so energetic and special,” Lesleigh said. “The Pink Bubble is like a bubble of joy, beauty and camaraderie. It just energizes you. The walking is hard, but the love and support around you keep you going.”

Outside of training or walking in the 3-Day, Jamie and Lesleigh have shared other special memories together including Bunco nights, voter outreach events and birthday parties.

“When Lesleigh and I were diagnosed, I was upset,” Jamie admitted. “But I realized this is why we’ve been doing the 3-Day all along. This is what we’ve been training for. I firmly believe that what we’ve helped raise over the years has helped us become survivors.”

Lesleigh and Jamie crossing the finish line at the Susan G. Komen San Diego 3-Day.

To learn more about the San Diego 3-Day, visit the3day.org.

12 Days of Hope: Creative Ways to Support Breast Cancer Awareness This Holiday Season

From delicious treats and family traditions to twinkly lights and falling snow, the holidays are a great time to kick back and enjoy the small things in life. As we gather around the fireplace and cozy up to our favorite films, we must always remember that we can take small actions each day in the fight against breast cancer. We must continue to advocate, raise awareness, and garner donations to aid in treatment and advance research until we finally create the ultimate holiday present: a world without breast cancer. That being said, it’s no easy feat to blend holiday spirit with support for breast cancer awareness. To help, follow along on our Twelve Days of Hope which are full of creative ways to support the Susan G. Komen® mission this holiday season.

Day 1 — Share a Survivor’s Story: Encourage your supporters to share an inspiring story of a breast cancer survivor on social media or in their holiday newsletters to spread hope and awareness.

Day 2 — Organize a Holiday Walk: Host a two-mile holiday themed walk either in person or virtually and invite those around you to remind them why we walk while repping their favorite holiday apparel.

Day 3 — Donate in Honor of a Loved One: Suggest giving the gift of a donation in someone’s name and provide customizable e-cards for that special acknowledgment.

Day 4 — Pink Holiday Sweater Day: Have fun with a virtual “Ugly Pink Sweater” contest. Encourage participants to post pictures in their pink sweaters to help spread awareness.

Day 5 — Raise Awareness with Holiday Cards: Share your holiday greetings and include a short note about the importance of early detection or research and include a blurb about the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® to encourage donations during the season of giving.

Day 6 — Breast Cancer Awareness Gift Wrapping Service: Organize a gift-wrapping service at your local mall, home, or a holiday market and collect donations for your services.

Day 7 — Pink-Themed Cookie Exchange: Host a virtual or in-person pink cookie exchange. Make a contest for the best breast cookie to spread awareness and encourage donations in a fun, seasonal way.

Day 8 — Sponsor a Thriver’s Holiday: Share stories of breast cancer survivors, encouraging supporters to send thoughtful holiday messages or care packages to someone actively going through treatment.

Day 9 — Decorate for the Cures: Grab a gingerbread house and some pink icing to create the ultimate Komen 3-Day gingerbread house. Share photos on social media to spread awareness.

Day 10 — Share the Pink Bubble: As we all know, the Pink Bubble goes far beyond those 60 miles. From a quick smile to a grand act of kindness, spread positivity and community in any way you can.

Day 11 — Pink Tree of Hope: Encourage supporters to create their own pink “Tree of Hope” at home or online, decorating it with messages of hope, awareness facts, and ribbons in honor of loved ones.

Day 12 — New Year’s Resolutions for Awareness: Inspire readers to set a resolution to promote breast cancer awareness throughout the year. Offer ideas like hosting educational events or encouraging friends and family to get screened.

As we soak up the last bit of 2024, remember all you have accomplished and the difference that you are making in the fight against breast cancer. We can’t wait to see you next year at the 2025 3-Day®!