Explore the Chicago Route before the 3-Day

The 3-Day is coming to the Windy City! Known for its stunning architecture, cultural landmarks, and vibrant neighborhoods, Chicago offers an endless array of experiences to explore on foot. Together, we’ll get to explore the city’s iconic attractions, beautiful suburbs, and hidden gems. Lace up your walking shoes and let’s embark on an unforgettable journey through the heart of Chicago.

Day 1

To kick off the 3-Day, we’ll delve into the heart of downtown Chicago and take in its stunning skyline, lakefront trails, and cultural landmarks. From the hotel, we’ll begin at the renowned Shedd Aquarium, where you can immerse yourself in the wonders of the underwater world. Make your way to the picturesque Lakefront Trail which offers breathtaking views of Lake Michigan, for the perfect opportunity to enjoy the refreshing breeze and admire the city skyline. It’s a perfect spot for a selfie!

Cross the Chicago River and bear witness to the city’s famous bridges and the lively activity on the Riverwalk. Capture stunning photos and embrace the energy of the city as you head north to the Magnificent Mile, a shopper’s paradise featuring upscale boutiques and department stores. Marvel at the architectural splendor as you walk along this bustling stretch of Michigan Avenue.

Venture north to Lincoln Park, a sprawling urban oasis offering lush greenery, beautiful gardens, and the Lincoln Park Zoo. Take a moment to relax and recharge in this serene environment before continuing onward; this is what it’s all about! End your day at Wrigley Field, the beloved home of the Chicago Cubs. Even if it’s not a game day, soak in the atmosphere and snap a photo in front of this historic ballpark before resting up for Day 2.

Day 2

With the 3-Day in full swing, we’ll explore a never-before-seen route on Day 2! Step outside the bustling city center and start your day with a short bus ride to the quaint residential area of Highland Park. Filled with boutiques, restaurants, and local shops, you can browse through the unique offerings and savor the small-town charm. From here, make your way to Glencoe where you’ll see Skokie Lagoon, a hidden gem nestled within the forest preserves. This sanctuary provides an opportunity to reconnect with nature and enjoy the peaceful surroundings despite being just steps outside of the busy city.

Continue through the picturesque suburb of Winnetka, where you’ll marvel at the historic homes and serene ambiance on the shores of Lake Michigan. In fact, one home in particular may bring a bit of nostalgia to movie fanatics. Standing proudly in this quintessential community is the notable house from the film Home Alone. This is the perfect chance to steep yourself in the magic of the film and capture memorable photos with this beloved cinematic landmark. Be sure that you don’t accidentally leave behind any of your teammates!

Wrap up your day at the architectural masterpiece that is the Bahai House of Worship in Wilmette. Known as the “Temple of Light,” this spiritual hub boasts stunning gardens and intricate designs. Visitors from all walks of life are welcome at this breathtaking temple, where you can absorb the principles of unity, harmony, and the advancement of social progress. What an enlightening way to finish Day 2!

Day 3

To wrap up our 3-Day journey in Chicago, we’ll explore some of the Midwest’s most eclectic neighborhoods which offer a blend of history, culture, and vibrant energy. We’ll start in the trendy West Loop neighborhood, known for its culinary delights and artistic flair. Full of art galleries and renowned eateries, these lively streets are sure to inspire you on your final stretch to 60 miles. With motivation in tow, continue your trek to Wicker Park, a hotspot of creativity and hipster culture. This trendy neighborhood offers a diverse mix of independent shops, street art, and cozy cafes.

Soon, you’ll find yourself back at the Chicago River where you can absorb the picturesque views of Chi-Town once more. Take a final moment to appreciate the city’s architectural marvels, the dynamic atmosphere surrounding the waterway, and reminisce on the incredible journey you’ve partaken in. Finally, no visit to Chicago is complete without a stop at Millennium Park where you can admire the famous Cloud Gate sculpture, affectionately known as “The Bean.” Capture some incredible pictures in front of this landmark and take in all of the charm that this city has to offer before heading to the Finish Line Festival.

All in all, Chicago is an incredibly captivating city to explore on foot! These 3-Day walking routes allow you to experience the best of downtown Chicago, its beautiful suburbs, and high-spirited neighborhoods, ensuring an unforgettable journey through the Windy City. So put on your walking shoes, embrace the urban charm, and create lasting memories in the dynamic city of Chicago.

Let’s Keep It Going! Beginning Your Fundraising Journey for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day

Welcome to part two of our fundraising how-two series!

This week, we’ll be talking about how to start your fundraising. By the time you’re reading this, the New England 3-Day, our very first of the 2023 season, is exactly 64 days away, with Denver and Chicago close on its heels. Although that may seem like plenty of time, it’ll be here before you know it. That said, a sense of urgency is your best friend as you work to meet or exceed your fundraising goals. But where to begin?

Spotlight: Check out this handy guide on Raising $2,300 in 2 Months!

Whether this is your first walk or your 101^st, The3Day.org can serve as your central hub for help. The fundraising page hosts a wide range of invaluable resources to help orient you on this journey. Trying to utilize social media for your campaign and want to know what to post? Check the Fundraising page. Need 101 different appeal ideas, or are you attempting to meet your $2,300 goal in one month? Fundraising page. Searching for sample solicitation letters to get in touch with a local business? Fundraising page. From outreach templates to thank you notes and everything in between, the 3-Day fundraising page serves as a comprehensive online resource, along with all of the tools in your Participant Center.

If you’re like some participants, fundraising for the 3-Day could be the first time you’ve ever raised money for an event. Not to fear! Taking care of things early means you can free up mental space and energy to focus all of your attention on training. Approaching your fundraising with strategy and careful planning can make all the difference. For example, rather than asking a potential donor, “Hey, I’m walking the Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day in October, would you like to donate?”, be as specific as possible! “I’m aiming to raise $3,000 [or whatever your fundraising goal is — name a specific amount] by the end of July. Can I count on you to make a donation of $60 today?” Do you have 23 family members that you can ask for $100? Are there 46 friends who could support you with $50 each? Asking for a specific amount, and asking big, is the best way to get you to your goals faster. Whatever the denomination and whomever the patron base is, thinking critically about how to best navigate the landscape can be just the move to put the winds in your sails.

Regardless of your preferred methods or how you choose to space out different milestones, the biggest stride you can take toward success is simply getting started. Go for that initial ask, make your first donation follow up, and don’t be afraid to tap into your network. While there are many people just waiting to support you, life can get busy! Even with the best intentions, your donors can forget to revisit Facebook fundraisers, or lose track of email requests. You will have to ask more than once or twice. Be brave in how you approach family, friends, and community members, and just as you push your body to cover more and more ground each week during training, you can push yourself more and more to march toward your fundraising target.

The money we raise is invaluable to the individuals and their loved ones supported by Susan G. Komen. Your efforts are instrumental in the funding of research, as well as patient care and advocacy, all of which help us in the fight against breast cancer. These real efforts impact real people and are fueled by the fundraising dollars you raise!

Stay tuned for our July post as we dive into part three of our series and, in the meantime, check out part one. As always, feel free to share your thoughts and drop a comment below!

To recap:

Tip #1 — Check out the fundraising page. If you’re in search of creative ideas or need a bit of structure, this resource is sure to act as your starting point and guide you in the right direction.

Tip #2 — Stick to your plan. The equation for donations is pretty simple: your solicitations + support from your community = you hitting your goal! Take a moment to map out the time you have, the people you know, and the dollars you need. If you do your math correctly, your solution will come that much easier.

Tip #3 — The best way to build momentum is by moving! If you don’t know who to start with, consider your last call or text message. Chances are, you were just speaking with someone who’d love to help you on your quest.

Let 3-Day walker Heidi S. put a little JOY in your heart this December

For the final entry in our “Word of the Year” series, we give the blog over to Heidi S., who has found JOY amidst profoundly difficult circumstances.

Hi. My name is Clear’ly Nuts, and I’m a 3-Day Addict. My journey with the 3-Day started in 2001 when my best friend Jennifer Clear was diagnosed with breast cancer about two weeks after her daughter was born. After a mastectomy, radiation, and too many brutal rounds of chemotherapy, she was pronounced cancer-free in 2002. Almost exactly five years after that pronouncement, she contracted metastatic breast cancer in her liver and passed away at 39.

I. Was. Angry. I wanted to do something. I NEEDED to do something, and it had to be something BIG. So in 2009, I signed up to walk in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day. In order for me to sign up, I had to enlist the help of my family. I was a single mom, you see, of an orange-haired phenom named Noah. He, as my niece puts it, was “especially needed,” and he could not stay at home by himself (no matter how much he thought he could). With their help, I raised the funds and embarked on a 3-Day journey in Chicago, what I thought at the time was a one-and-done experience.

IT WAS HARD. IT WAS HOT, I was UNDERTRAINED, my feet were ACHING, and I VOWED TO THE DEPTH OF MY VERY SOUL that I would never, ever, EVER do it AGAIN. And then, in the very last mile of these 60 arduous miles [MS1] , it clicked. I walked—well, limped—whimpering, into the participant finish area, where hundreds of walkers, crew, staff, families and friends were screaming and cheering and celebrating. This tremendous outpouring of JOY, love, and celebration reached out and grabbed me by the heart (and the eyeballs, I was ugly crying, not going to lie) and dragged me over that finish line, screaming “YES! YOU DID IT! Now, sign up to do it again.”

So, I did. But this time? I got smart. I wised up. I found the leader of the ONE training walk I had gone on (yes, one, because who would need to train?) and begged her to let me join her team, the Coconutter Strutters. Well, not just me—us. Remember the orange-haired phenom? We came as a boxed set. He was my sidekick in all things, my wingman, my Little Biscuit. Anyway, she, possibly to her dismay, welcomed the two of us. And we became Coconuts.

So, I did it again. And again, and again and again. Noah and I, we trained, we raised funds, we walked in the Race for the Cure, and he became the Coconuts’ biggest fan. We became a part of the Coconutter Strutter family, and we began to make plans. When he turned 18, he would honor his “Aunt” Jenny’s memory by walking the Michigan 3-Day with his beloved Coconuts.

By that time, epilepsy had come. The constant seizures stole his walk, his voice, and his independence. But it did NOT steal his joy and laughter, love and light, and it did NOT steal his love for his Coconuts and for doing big things. I was scared. He used a wheelchair by then, and not independently. How was I going to do it? How was I going to push this Rollin’ Coconut all 60 miles? I was worried, but I had forgotten about one thing. The Coconuts. It was a forgone conclusion that, whatever Rollin’ wanted, Rollin’ got, and if he wanted to take the 60-mile journey, then by God, he would do so. So we signed up. And we fundraised, we plotted, we planned, we got excited, we became hopeful, and we started to get ready.

But Episucky had other plans for our Orange-Haired Teen, and in February 2016, the year he would have gone 60 miles with us, he left this Earth for bigger and better things. When he was sick and so very tired, I read the book “Waterbugs and Dragonflies,” written by an angel named Doris Stickney. This book explained to him what was happening, why he was getting so very tired, giving him permission to let go and become the Dragonfly, heading off to bigger and better things than what was here for him on Earth. He was comforted, and he stopped being scared and tired, and with the same sweetness, joy and laughter, love and light that he lived with, he winged off into the bright world of sun and air.

Being Rollin’ Coconut’s mom taught me so many things, but one of the biggest lessons is this: every day, no matter how hard it is, you get brave, you get up, and you get on with it. And you do it with joy and laughter, love and light. So, that’s what we, who were left here on Earth, have chosen to do. We took him in our hearts on our walk that year in Michigan, handing out the story and dragonflies to everyone we could, merging his joy with theirs.

Every year since then, we see those dragonflies on walkers’ packs and lanyards, and it warms our hearts. We have Dragonfly Moments on every walk—moments when we are tired, we *might* be a little cranky and sick of walking—and then we see a dragonfly. Hovering around us, bouncing off of our heads, dive bombing our faces, or resting on our hands, as if to say, “Get it together ladies! You got this! Find your joy! Get brave, get up and get on with it!” And we laugh, we find our joy, and we do exactly that.

Noah would have been 21 in 2018. In his honor, and in Jenny’s memory, I decided to step WAY out of my comfort zone and do a big thing. I decided to walk in all seven 3-Day cities that year. And my team, my amazing, glorious family of Coconuts? They plotted, planned, and they made it so.

On that seven-city journey, I learned that, while cancer sucks, there are thousands of people out there determined to make a difference in the fight. They have dedicated their lives, their time, talent and treasure to beating this unacceptable disease. They walk tirelessly, they fundraise relentlessly, and they have formed a joyful community—strangers who are family.

So, if you’ve read all that, you might have guessed that my word for 2021 is Joy. A tiny little word that packs a huge punch. Joy is a gift that should be given and received freely, with no reservation, and it binds us all together. Joy is contagious; it costs nothing, and once it is sparked within your heart, it will warm you to your very fingertips and toes.

My 3-Day community has brought sparks of joy to me in my darkest days, it has fanned its flames, and it has celebrated with me when it has raged like an inferno. My advice to all who are reading this in 2021: find your joy. It might be a spark in your darkest days, or an inferno in your brightest. Find it, share it, and it will be returned to you.

What brings you JOY in your dark days? How has the 3-Day community supported you when you needed it?Thank you for joining us for our “Word of the Year” series.