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®!

San Diego Crew Impact Award Winner: Lynn C.

Meet Lynn C., our 2024 San Diego 3-Day Crew Impact Award Winner!

Since her first Susan G. Komen 3-Day® 17 years ago, Barbara has participated 28 times and has raised a lifetime total of over $70,000. For years she has served as Sweep and Shuttle Captain in Washington D.C., New England, Philadelphia, and San Diego, bringing her humor, pink hair and Boston accent wherever she goes!

“I first met Lynn 10 years ago when I was co-captain for the Philadelphia sweep team in 2014. She had that spunky attitude and was our go-to van during that event and ever since. I remember riding in a SAG [support and gear] bus with her and within five minutes she had both Mary and me laughing so hard we could hardly speak. She was a staple member of that Philly Sweep Team until they moved the event to New England. She even once tried her hand at being the captain, which of course she rocked, but her heart was to be with the walkers. Lynn has been doing two events a year since I’ve known her, one close to her home base, and the other she flies all the way across the country to go to, in San Diego. She certainly is one of the most valued members of the Sweep Team in both cities. She gives 100% to the team, shows up early to do special ops, stays out late to assist the last of the walkers into camp, drives through pouring rain, and gets lost in Sea World once in a while. To say she gives tired walkers a ride to the next pit stop is an understatement. What she really does is give them encouragement, a joke or two, an ear to hear their story and a lot of Pink Bubble love.” —Carolyn H.

What was your inspiration to do your first Komen 3-Day???

In 2006, my?sister-in-law was diagnosed with breast cancer. I wanted to do something big to help her and I saw the commercial for the New England 3-Day®. I signed up to do the 2007 event by myself even though my friends and family thought I was crazy. I believed in my heart it was a one and done event, but the love, support, stories and commitment to finding the cures was contagious. I wanted to make more friends, learn more about how I could help, and knew before the walk started on that early Friday morning, I was in it for life. I had been engulfed by the Pink Bubble and I didn’t want to leave.

What has brought you back to the 3-Day year after year?

I would meet more and more people going through treatment each year. I would look forward to seeing these friends year after year and sometimes those friends did not make it back for any more walks because of this disease. This would energize me to raise more money to find the cures. The longer I am involved, the more people I know have been diagnosed with breast cancer. This disease has infiltrated my family three times in the past few years. Sadly, it is my daughter’s generation on both sides of our family that have been affected. We lost one young, beautiful cousin who left a young family, and we now have two others who are fighting and thriving and beating this disease. How can I stop now? We are so close to the cures. I believe in my heart I will see the cures in my lifetime.

What is your favorite aspect of crewing the 3-Day?

I love supporting the walkers. Crewing is hard, days are long, sleep is fleeting, but knowing the walkers depend upon us to keep them fed, healthy and safe keeps me energized. Crew has one single goal each day; keep the walkers safe, keep them in a forward moving motion daily and get them safely to closing.

What is your best advice to anyone crewing the 3-Day?

It is hard, it is fun, and they could not walk without our help. We are the fuel that keeps the walk moving each day. We are like the elves behind the scenes making it all look easy.

What’s a fun fact about you?

For the next three years, my favorite sports team is the University of Vermont Women’s Hockey —#ILOVEMYHOCKEYPLAYER. I have had people request a translator when they hear me talking but I only speak one language, it’s called “The Boston Accent.” Yes, I have pahked my cah in Hahvahd Yahd to watch TB12 play football with Best Buddies!

What are the most important lessons you’ve learned on the 3-Day?

To be grateful for all my blessings and to give back and pay it forward.

November Pink Bubble Story of the Month: Lauren M.

“My mom was more than her diagnosis; she was a beacon of strength, love, and compassion to everyone who knew her.

“At just 34 years old, she discovered a small lump during a self-examination and was diagnosed with breast cancer. Despite the fear and uncertainty, she faced her mastectomy and six months of chemotherapy with courage, all while caring for my 6-year-old sister and me, a 2½-year-old, and supporting my dad. Her strength and resilience saw her through, and after treatment, she was declared cancer-free and entered remission.

“True to her giving nature, once she regained her strength, my mom began volunteering at Victory in the Valley in Wichita, Kansas, helping other women navigate their own battles with breast cancer. However, in her fourth year of remission, the devastating news came: her cancer had returned.

“For five more years, my mom faced this relentless disease with grace, undergoing six different treatment protocols. She lost her hair and nails, but never her spirit. Even as a nurse, fully aware of the uphill battle she faced, she focused on teaching my sister and me about life, ensuring that we felt as normal and loved as possible despite her struggle.

“On November 2, 2000, at just 44 years old, my mom passed away. While she is no longer with us physically, her legacy of strength, kindness, and unwavering love lives on through my sister and me. We strive every day to carry forward the values she instilled in us, honoring the extraordinary woman who taught us what it means to live fully, love deeply, and persevere through even the most difficult challenges.”

“My friend, Sonia, is a survivor. She asked me to join her in this experience and I couldn’t be more grateful to have walked alongside her and our incredible team, STEPS. Being surrounded by such inspirational people—men and women who have given years of their lives to this cause—was deeply moving. Walking alongside people who were on their 36th walk or were tackling all four events this year was remarkable. It left me feeling like I’ll never be able to let a year go by without being involved in some way. Whether walking, cheering, or volunteering, I know I want to be part of this incredible community. Seeing the strength and resilience of the survivors and hearing their stories made a profound impact on my heart. Their courage is something I’ll carry with me always.”