Tag Archives: breast cancer awareness

The Wide Arms of the 3-Day

Debbie’s team “Pink Truckin’ for Barbara and Kate” stops at Pit Stop 1 on Day 1 of the 2013 Atlanta 3-Day

Debbie decided nine years ago that she wanted to do something “BIG” in her parent’s memory, who both died of cancer. “I have five sisters, so doing the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® seemed like the biggest thing I could do,” said Debbie. She signed up alone and was planning on walking the 60-mile course just one time. Little did she know of her future connections with the Komen 3-Day.

Three generations together on Day 1 at Pit Stop 1 on the Atlanta 3-Day

“That first year, I met a new friend, Kathy Lee, who was a breast cancer survivor,” explained Debbie. “Kathy Lee and I became dear friends and we have walked together for the past eight years. My sister, Janie, then joined our team and has walked with me for the past seven years. Then my daughter Staci walked with me. My grandson has been cheering me on for the past eight years.  He just turned 16, so he is eligible to walk this year!” He has been making and selling bracelets to family and friends so that he could raise money to walk. “He made it and we are so proud of him!” Debbie is more than excited to have a group of four sisters on the team this year in Atlanta and 11 members total.

Grandmother and grandson walk the Atlanta 3-Day in 2013 together, hanging out at lunch on Day 2.

While most stories of 3-Day fundraising would end there, Debbie’s story continues. “It’s a bit difficult to describe all the details, but while cheering at the Atlanta 3-Day in 2011 for friends, I met another supporter with the same 3-Day style T-shirt on. Esther joined us throughout the day, and cheered on the walkers during the event. At one point, Esther noticed that my sign read ‘Janie’ for my sister, and she mentioned that she also had a sister of the same name.” There seemed to be too many coincidences, and Janie needed a kidney for her own medical condition. “Right then and there, I decided that I would donate one for this woman’s sister,” said Debbie. “Esther was shocked, but we completed the process in Connecticut in 2012.”

The arms of the 3-Day family often stretch wide, and Debbie is a great example of the selfless attitude of those who become wrapped up in the service of others. Say hello to Debbie and her team this weekend!

Bras, Tutus, and Harleys

Most of the motorcycle-riding contingent of the Route Safety Crew pose for a photograph at the Opening Ceremony on the Atlanta 3-Day (bicycle riders not shown)

No one will argue that Harley Davidson owners form some of the most closely-knit communities in America (and abroad!), but the Harley Davidson owners who decorate their prized motorcycles in pink bras form an even tighter and more colorful subset of the riders of the open road. And where exactly do you spot such an elusive group? It’s definitely not at Sturgis.

This weekend, it’s in Atlanta at the Susan G. Komen 3-Day®.

Robin awaits for the Komen 3-Day to get under way in Atlanta

Robin awaits for the Komen 3-Day to get under way in Atlanta

All over the country, however, riders like Robin Davis, a policeman from Virginia, suit up in the wildest of pink attire, pimp out their rides in bras, beads, and tutus, and take to the routes of the 3-Day walkers to provide road safety for the hundreds and hundreds who are walking to help end breast cancer. “Years ago, my friend asked me to do the walk. After seeing that I could volunteer on my bike, I was hooked,” said Robin, gearing up for this week’s Atlanta 3-Day, which started this morning. “I have two aunts who are breast cancer survivors, my wife walks the fundraiser, and my son is involved in Youth Corps [youth volunteer group].” And as every Harley is unique, Robin has the names of his friends, fallen law enforcement officers, detailed on his front panel. Around the sides and front are the corresponding views of the Police National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial.

Paula, a Harley-riding route safety crew member, preps her ride with its customary pink outfit for the Atlanta 3-Day

The full Route Safety Crew is also made up of dedicated cyclists who cover the entire course and especially areas on trails and backroads where motorcycles and cars cannot go. They deserve some special attention in their own article. The entire Route Safety Crew does a remarkable job on both motorcycle and bicycle in keeping 1,000 walkers safe over 60 miles. What a feat!

And while I used to think most of the breast cancer survivors were walkers, that is not the case. They make up a large contingent of the “crew,” the machinery of volunteers who make the event run. A pink SURVIVOR patch emblazoned on one Harley rider affirmed this. “I actually signed up to help with the 3-Day® before I got breast cancer,” said Paula from Atlanta. “I lost my mom to breast cancer, and I am a two-time survivor!” Paula and her husband Lyle have provided route safety for nine events, eight of which have been in Atlanta. Paula carefully decorates her Harley with pink tutus, explaining to a novice like me that her “Softtail” just refers to the soft leather saddle bags.  Lyle’s are hard saddlebags, perfect for writing “Chemo Sucks!” in pink tape and derogatory terms, appropriate for both a solid biker and for someone who hates breast cancer.

Susan G. Komen 3-Day walkers cross the street that is guarded by a bra-wrapped motorcycle

Sam, the crew captain of this helpful group of riders, has been protecting  3-Day walkers for some time. Sam’s mother is a 15-year breast cancer survivor, and she walked the 60 miles several years ago: “When I found out I could volunteer with my Harley, I couldn’t stop! This is my 17th event.” The walkers should feel safe this weekend with this motley group of professionals. Besides Robin, there are two Atlanta-area policemen on the crew, and not all with Harley’s. To be fair, they are very accepting of other bikes: BMWs, Triumphs, and Hondas all have a place in this lineup, “but we still give them a hard time” says one Harley owner.

Earl throws down his own style on his Honda, complete with fresh decals with pink running ribbon of the breast cancer fight

“It’s OK if you don’t have a Harley,” quips Danny. “They’re known for leaking some, but the ‘sport’ bikes have batteries that die.” The joking among the group is similar everywhere in the world among bikers, but it’s all in good fun. By the time they have enough bras on them, you can’t really tell anyway.

(Thanks to all of the Route Safety Crew on the Atlanta 3-Day: Christopher, Gene, Kerri, Michael B, Krystal, Jerry, Barbara, Grant, Theresa, Paula C, Gary C, Andy, Glenn, Richard, Danny, Earl, Albert, Michael K, Kirk, Laure, Sam, Lisa, Leslie, Charles, Lyle, Paula, Gary W, Pamela W)

ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHS 

Atlanta 3-Day Day 1 Atlanta 3-Day Day 1 Atlanta 3-Day Day 1 Atlanta 3-Day Day 1 Atlanta 3-Day Day 1 Atlanta 3-Day Day 1 Atlanta 3-Day Day 1

Atlanta 3-Day Day 1 Atlanta 3-Day Day 1

Team Girlapalooza: Welcoming Walkers Since 2008

Washington DC 3-Day Day 1

What do you get when you have a party of merry-going women from around the country away from kids, husbands and with few inhibitions? “Well, we call it ‘Girlapalooza,’ but you also get someone at the party suggesting you do the Susan G. Komen 3-Day®!” said Kathleen Butler, the team captain of the largest team of 60-mile walker/fundraisers this year on the Washington, D.C. 3-Day. “We weren’t quite sure who suggested it in 2007, but off we went, from a gathering of college friends and friends of friends, we became a team with a cause.”

Cynthia from Alabama is a first time walker and joined Team Girlapalooza as she celebrates her 31st anniversary of surviving breast cancer

Cynthia from Alabama is a first-time walker and joined Team Girlapalooza as she celebrates her 31st anniversary of surviving breast cancer

Teams of walkers form for the 60-mile, 3-Day walk to help each other train, raise at least $2,300 each and support each other over the grueling course. Fashion is, of course, of the highest priority for Komen 3-Day teams and the creativity and liberal use of pink together dominate the teams’ attire. Fundraising can also be tough, but Team Girlapalooza with its 56 members this year, managed to pull in $86,566, putting them as the number four out of five of the top team fundraisers. “Our success in fundraising simply comes from having members who step out of their comfort zones and ask!” said Kathleen. “And yes, we welcome walkers onto our team from all over the country. We all meet for a dinner the night before the walk and really get to know the newcomers.”

Dawn from Kentucky is walking for her friend and co-worker who died from breast cancer last year and is a new arrival to Team Girlapalooza

Among the newcomers are Dawn from Kentucky who found Team Girlapalooza on The3Day.org message board. “They were very accepting,” said Dawn after Pit Stop 2 today. “I’m walking for a friend of mine, a teacher from back home who died from breast cancer last year.” Cynthia from Huntsville, Alabama is a first-time walker and is celebrating her 31st anniversary of being cancer free!

Among the veteran members, Julie Lobdell is receiving a special award this weekend for her 10 years of effort on the Susan G. Komen 3-Day with $126,980 raised to date. What an accomplishment! This award, known as the Milestone Award, is given to one participant in each city each year, and Julie is more than deserving of this recognition.

Julie Lobdell with Team Girlapalooza cruises onto the route on Day 3 of the Washington, D.C. 3-Day

Julie Lobdell with Team Girlapalooza cruises onto the route on Day 3 of the Washington, D.C. 3-Day

“I joined up with Team Girlapalooza because I needed to be on a team here in Washington, D.C.” said Cynthia on the chilly morning before the event started Friday. She seemed a bit nervous about the start of such a long walk but mentioned, “I’ve got my Tasheia, my daughter, with me from West Virginia, so we’re going to do this.”

Although Kathleen is the captain of Team Girlapalooza, she alternates years where she walks the 60-miles and serves as a volunteer crew member. Kathleen will be the captain of the Lunch Crew this year, so watch out for their highly original, themed lunch stops each day.

Kathleen Butler is team captain of "Girlapalooza" a large group of Susan G. Komen 3-Day® walkers that claims members all over the country

Kathleen Butler is team captain of “Girlapalooza” a large group of Susan G. Komen 3-Day walkers that claims members all over the country

A large percentage of participants in the 3-Day have direct and indirect connections to breast cancer and Kathleen is no different. “I have the family connections, but I also teach First Grade Sunday School, and two out of three years teaching I’ve had six year old girls who have lost their moms to breast cancer,” said Kathleen, turning over her credentials on her lanyard to show a family portrait of the girls from church. It’s hard not to tear up when she talks about them. “I just can’t believe that such wonderful little girls have to go to bed without hugging their mommy,” Kathleen affirms. “That’s why we do it.”

Say hello to Team Girlapalooza this weekend!