Cliff’s Crew: 20 Years of Family, Hope and the Quest to End Breast Cancer

Cliff M. and his team, Cliff's Crew, at the San Diego 3-Day.

Cliff M. has been an inspiration to many in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® community, leading his team, Cliff’s Crew, in the journey to end breast cancer. His passion and unwavering dedication to the 3-Day began in 2002, after the heartbreaking loss of his dear friend, Betty Lou, to breast cancer. The following year, while watching a TV commercial about the 3-Day in Santa Barbara, Cliff said to his wife, “I want to do this in memory of Betty Lou.” And so, his journey began—and continues to this day.

A 20-Year Legacy of Hope

This year marks Cliff’s Crew’s 20th anniversary of participating in the 3-Day. Since 2005, the team has raised more than $1 million dollars for breast cancer research and is recognized as a Lifetime Fundraising Commitment Team. Their heartfelt motto: “Our journey will end when a cure is found,” reflects their profound commitment to finding a cure.

Cliff’s Crew has become a symbol of hope, inspiring not just strangers, but family and friends alike. Over the years, Cliff has trained more than 100 women and men for the 3-Day and has walked alongside his wife, his son, Brian, his daughter-in-law, and even his two granddaughters.

His granddaughter, Taylor, now 29, was so deeply moved by the 3-Day community that she decided to pursue a career in medical physics. She specializes in childhood cancer survivorship and treatment-related breast cancer risk at MD Anderson Cancer Center.

“We didn’t realize the 3-Day would make such an impact on Taylor’s life choices, but it did, and we are so proud of her,” Cliff said.

The Strength of Family

Cliff and his beloved wife, Karen.

When you speak to Cliff about his team and his journey, you immediately sense his genuine love, excitement and passion for the Pink Bubble—the unforgettable community surrounding the 3-Day. But Cliff’s story also includes personal hardships too, like many in the 3-Day community.

A few years ago, his beloved wife, Karen, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and Cliff was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Despite these personal trials, Cliff has continued with his family’s quest to end breast cancer.

“We joked about it when she was first diagnosed,” Cliff recalled. “She said to me, ‘Here you are walking for breast cancer since 2002, and you ended up with prostate cancer, and me with pancreatic cancer.’ She fought for a year and a half, then passed away in 2022 with a smile on her face, the same year we would have celebrated our 50th anniversary.”

Before Karen passed away, she had one final wish. “I remember her telling me, ‘Make sure you go down to San Diego,” he said. And two weeks later, he did, continuing the walk she had encouraged him to finish.

Supporting From the Sidelines

At 76, Cliff no longer walks in the 3-Day, but he remains a fixture at the San Diego 3-Day, supporting his team year-round and raising at least the annual minimum of $2,300. Cliff’s Crew is now managed by his son, Brian, and friend, Jana Armendariz.

“I am not as strong as I used to be, but I am still here supporting the team, cheering them on, going to San Diego and raising money not just for a cure for breast cancer, but hopefully for all cancers,” Cliff said.

For Cliff, the 3-Day is not just an event—it’s been a life-changing journey he will always cherish. “When people ask me questions about the 3-Day, I always tell them, ‘Come join me and I promise you it will change your life like it did mine,” Cliff said.

Visit the 3-Day to register and learn more.

From 3-Day Supporter to Breast Cancer Survivor

Nicole S. and her family at the 2024 Susan G. Komen 3-Day in San Diego.

Nicole with her husband and sons at the San Diego 3-Day in 2024.

In 2009, Nicole S. walked in her first Susan G. Komen 3-Day® with her mom and sorority sisters in San Diego, unaware of how deeply breast cancer would one day affect her life. By 2024, she was walking again—this time as a two-year breast cancer survivor.

“Both 3-Day walks were meaningful, but being a survivor this time around made it extra special and emotional,” Nicole said.

In 2022, Nicole was a mom to two little boys and a busy orthodontist when she noticed a change in her left breast around the time she stopped breastfeeding her youngest. Her husband urged her to reach out to her doctor, and things moved fast. After an ultrasound and diagnostic mammogram, Nicole was diagnosed with stage 3, HER2-positive, hormone receptor-negative invasive ductal carcinoma with a subcategory of inflammatory breast cancer.

During one of her chemotherapy sessions, Nicole texted her mom and friend: “When I beat this disease, I want to walk a 3-Day with you guys again.” And they held her to it.

Nicole’s treatment was intense—six rounds of chemotherapy every three weeks, a non-nipple-sparing double mastectomy, axillary lymph node dissection and 33 rounds of radiation therapy. Through it all, she stayed determined.

Nicole and her team, Breasties Against Breast Cancer, in San Diego at the 2024 3-Day.

In November 2024, Nicole completed her second San Diego 3-Day with her mom and seven friends. “My favorite part of the 3-Day was walking alongside the women who prayed and supported me throughout my treatment,” Nicole said. “And the support from the San Diego community is unmatched.”

This year, Nicole said her team, “Breasties Against Breast Cancer,” will return bigger and stronger than ever.

Nicole and her parents at the San Diego 3-Day in 2024.

Visit the 3-Day to register and learn more.

Statements and opinions expressed are that of the individual and do not express the views or opinions of Susan G. Komen. This information is being provided for educational purposes only and is not to be construed as medical advice. Persons with breast cancer should consult their health care provider with specific questions or concerns about their treatment.

How the MORE THAN PINK Walk Led Me to the 3-Day

Nisha Jaime and her team, The Fight Club, at the MORE THAN PINK Walk in Los Angeles October 2023.

When I was diagnosed with HER2-positive invasive ductal carcinoma in 2022, I couldn’t help but cry—a lot. At 42, I was a busy mama of three, including twin boys, age 7, and a 4-year-old little girl recovering from her third open-heart surgery. The shock and sadness were overwhelming, but once I started to process my diagnosis I turned to social media for support. I wanted to find others who had been through what I was about to face, and who I could draw strength from. That’s when I found Susan G. Komen®.

Through social media posts, I found information about Komen’s MORE THAN PINK Walk® in Los Angeles, happening that fall, just months after my diagnosis. I remember telling myself: “Once I get better, I am going to do it.” And that’s exactly what I did.

The following year, I signed up, recruited a team of more than 50 members (made up of my family and closest friends) and we raised more than $5,100. The walk was inspiring and beautiful. But when it ended, I wished it could have been longer. I felt like there was more to experience, more to give. I felt such a connection with the Komen community, that I wanted to do more. I signed up for the MORE THAN PINK Walk again last year as a participant and a volunteer. It was as rewarding as my first walk, but again I wanted more time to meet more people and hear more inspiring stories of hope and resilience.

Then, last fall, I found out about the Susan G. Komen 3-Day®. I saw posts from participants on social media who walked the 60-mile journey, and I found their online videos of the Pink Bubble to be so full of support and strength. I was inspired. I knew right away that the 3-Day was exactly what I had been searching for. The 3-Day would give me more time with others who understand this journey, and it would give me an opportunity to do my part in helping end breast cancer.

So, this year, I signed up for the San Diego 3-Day. My fundraising and training are just getting started, but I’m committed. I currently walk two miles a day and I’ve been sharing my story on social media to help me reach my fundraising goal. I also have plans to host some garage sales in the spring and a lemonade stand with my children to get closer to my goal while spending time with my family.

While I plan to walk the entire 60 miles, I will be giving myself some grace at the 3-Day. I’m in my first year of survivorship and for me, every step is a win. I am so excited to experience the Pink Bubble firsthand and meet more survivors like me. The fear that comes after a breast cancer diagnosis has been overwhelming at times, but I know the 3-Day will be a safe, supportive space and I can’t wait for November to be here so I can head out to San Diego.

A lot of my friends have asked me why I want to take on such a big challenge so soon after being diagnosed. This is what I tell them: “I want to remind myself of everything I have overcome with chemotherapy, surgeries and radiation. I want to honor my loved ones I have lost to breast cancer. And I want to do whatever I can to help minimize the impact of breast cancer.”