Brad is flanked by flag bearers at the Opening Ceremony of the Philadelphia 3-Day
‘Are you comfortable with a walkie talkie?’ read the first email. Brad T replied, ‘Yes’ to that email. ‘Can you drive a large box truck?’ Again he replied ‘Yes.’ He realized that the first two emails were blanket emails to his volunteer ‘Crew’ on the Susan G. Komen Philadelphia 3-Day in 2012. The next email was only to him: ‘Would you be the Captain of your crew?’
He laughed and accepted. “I was on the ‘I’ll Help Anywhere’ Crew and ended up on Grab and Go B, a small pit stop supporting over a thousand Susan G. Komen 3-Day® walkers on their 60-mile journey to raise research money for breast cancer. Brad, a tax guy by day, dons a pink shirt and a pink baseball cap for the event, hardly the attire of his usual working life. Brad’s story, however, is personal and can bring tears in a moment.
Brad T carries the flag “My Wife” in honor of Sabrina, who passed away from breast cancer
His wife and mother of his four children, Sabrina, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007. “We were married for 32 years,” said Brad at Pit Stop 1 on Saturday. “We met in southern California in 1979; both of us were there for work. We were married in the church we met in!” Brad first was a volunteer at the breast cancer fundraising event in 2010, helping on the Sunday when the walkers and regular crew members celebrate at the end of their 60-mile journey. “I wanted to walk in 2011, but Sabrina was just too sick,” mentions Brad. Sabrina passed away in May of 2012. “I’m excited to walk this year for the first time and carry the flag in her honor.” Several individuals are asked to represent their loved ones in the Opening and Closing Ceremonies with flags. Brad is carrying one that reads: “My Wife.”
Brad T honors his wife Sabrina at the Opening Ceremony of the Philadelphia 3-Day
Amazingly, this has been a banner for the entire family. His older daughter and his youngest son are walking with him. His younger daughter joined the Young Women Walking (YW2) group, which supports girls and guys 16-23 in one day of a Komen 3-Day®. They still raise at least $750, and they walk the entire 20+ miles on Day 2 of the route. “In all, our goal was well over $6900,” says Brad, “but we raised over $10,000 together.” This dedication and commitment to the cause is always inspiring. What a team! Give a shoutout to Brad and his family this weekend on their first 3-Day as walkers!
Brad, family, and friends celebrate the end of Day 1 on the Philadelphia 3-Day
