Tag Archives: breast cancer research

Top Fundraisers for Tampa Bay 3-Day

The Susan G. Komen 3-Day® opened up in great weather this morning at Sand Key Park where walkers were treated to beautiful views of Clearwater, Largo and Indian Shores. After 19.5 miles, everyone was ready for a break, and dinner and a camp show seemed to be just the thing. The top fundraisers for the Tampa Bay 3-Day were announced this evening, and some congratulations are in order for their hard work.

Top Crew Fundraiser: Sandra Alekson, $4,600; Lunch Crew

Sandra Akeson receives the award for Top Crew Fundraiser

Sandra Alekson receives the award for Top Crew Fundraiser

Top Fundraising Team: Team ‘Thanks for the Mammories,’ $103,949; Sheila Porter (Captain)

Carol Lynch accepts the award for her team as Sheila Porter was not present

Top Individual Fundraiser: Rob Imparato, $10,750; (from Team ‘HOORAY BOOBS!’)

Rob Imparato accepts the award for Top Individual Fundraiser at the 2013 Tampa Bay 3-Day

Everyone should be proud of their tremendous efforts in fundraising. Good luck out there on Day 2 in Tampa Bay!

The Virgin Walkers of Atlanta

“I was just hearing about breast cancer all the time as a stylist,” said Sandy, a hair stylist in Mobile, Alabama. She called up her best friend Elizabeth to propose walking the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® to raise money for breast cancer research.

“I said ‘no’ at first!” recalled Elizabeth, while they both rested at lunch in the suburbs north of Atlanta on Day 2. They laughed despite some aches and pains, but seemed to be enjoying the walk, having finished more than 30 miles total. “I am doing the walk for my grandmother who passed away: today would have been 94 years old!”

Elizabeth and Sandy on the last day of the Atlanta 3-Day

The two women are among a large contingent of first-time Komen 3-Day walkers here in Atlanta, Georgia. They walk a total of 60 miles over three days and have each raised over $2300 for breast cancer research and awareness. In the 3-Day community, they are often playfully dubbed “Virgin Walkers.” After a full 21 miles on Day 1, and 19.3 miles on Day 2, they are ‘newbies’ no more. Elizabeth and Sandy are lucky to have someone else to walk with, but many show up to walk the challenging course without knowing anyone. ‘Riding solo,’ these brave souls often meet other teams and individuals to walk with.

Kathryn and Gloriela get ready for Day 2 on the Atlanta 3-Day

Gloriela, originally from Panama and living now in Atlanta, met up with another first-time walker, Kathryn, on the route on Day 1. “Opening Ceremony was so inspirational,” mentioned Gloriela at breakfast at the start of Day 2 in Atlanta. “I love the organization of the whole process, and I love the motorcycles and bikers who help keep us safe. They dance, turn on music, and cheer for us.” Kathryn remembered her sweet friend who passed away from breast cancer about the same time her son was born. They felt better having met each other and found someone to walk with!

Jasmin, Brailey, Alex, and Krista stop in Piedmont Park (with unidentified photobomber-walker)

Some first-time walkers are initiated into teams that have been walking for awhile. “Oh, he’s hurting. He’s hurting real bad,” laughed Krista, Jasmin, and Brailey about their new recruit Alex. Their team, Project Perk, was founded four years ago by Jasmin who started walking to honor her grandmother. Krista then got Alex to join the team who had made the comment, “It’s just walking!” On Day 3 in Piedmont Park, he laughed, agreeing that he was hurting. The team was in good spirits, though, and looked to finish the 60-mile route strong.

Jennifer and Lorie, two first-time walkers on the Atlanta 3-Day, stopped long enough to sum up the event: “Twelve girls, eight blisters, three days, two trips to the medical tent, and one great event.” Their supportive team was decked out in pink wigs on the last day of the event and were cruising along.

Jennifer and Lorie are first-time walkers embedded in their supportive team

First-time walkers are well loved on the 3-Day, and even if they are alone when they start, they are soon swept up by a team and made one of their one. The spirit of the 3-Day is that everyone wins and that everyone does the best they can! See you at Closing Ceremony at Turner Field!

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!