Riley and Alexa Roll On

“On July 31, 2012, I lost my best friend, my sister, Kathi.”

Riley W is walking for her sister, a promise she made Kathi. “I intend on keeping those promises [to walk every year] for us until the day comes when we are together again,” says Riley. “I will talk about the importance of getting checked whenever and wherever I am.” Riley and Kathi had walked together in 2010 for their grandmother who they lost to breast cancer, for their cousin who is a survivor, for friends who have lost the battle, and for all those who carry on! Riley had no idea in those first years that she would be continuing her personal crusade for her sister.

Riley and Alexa prepare for the Philadelphia 3-Day

“After our 2010 3-Day walk, Kathi was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer. In 2012, I walked for her,” remembers Riley. Riley’s niece and Kathi’s daughter, Alexa, is also joining her on this Philadelphia 3-Day event, her third year on Youth Corps, that feisty group of yellow-shirted youngsters who keep the energy high and do some serious help along the route and in camp. Youth Corps members have to raise $500, and Alexa holds the title of Top Crew Fundraiser for the last two years. The Crew on a 3-Day event includes hundreds of adult volunteers who make the event run! (Riley and Alexa combined this year will top $29,000!)

Riley is attacked by Alexa, her niece, and friends at the Philadelphia 3-Day

Riley, in her pink cowboy boots, is attacked by Alexa, her niece, and friends at the Philadelphia 3-Day

Alexa and her aunt Riley have a special relationship, as evidenced by their greetings that Riley gets from her niece and her friends as we talk. Riley has tried hard to stay close to her niece. “I can never and don’t try to replace her mother,” says Riley, “but I try to do more than a good aunt would do. She knows she can call me about anything.” That often means that Alexa could call while Riley is on the road, playing at the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville (her current home), or on the road acting or working in the film and television industry. Riley’s talents have included more than acting and writing scripts, as she continues to be a singer-songwriter in the country scene around Nashville and the country.

Riley and Alexa pose for a picture with Youth Corps friends

The aunt-niece team is truly a pair of friends to behold. Riley was asked to delight the crowd at this year’s Philadelphia 3-Day, so she will share some songs while the walkers relax and eat dinner at camp. When I pushed her about some of her music, she mentioned that she did write a special song around the time her sister was doing poorly in her fight for breast cancer. “I was having this ‘why are doing this’ kind of moments, and I thought of the lines ‘We’ve been in a war . . . and I’m thinkin’ you won.’ My sister loved the being played to her for the first time in the hospital, well after visiting hours. She said, ‘Turn it up! Everyone has to hear this!’ She wanted it played at her funeral, but I had to record it as a backup in case I was too emotional to sing it.” I asked if there were other songs of hers that Kathi loved.

“One other one,” Riley smiled. “Surrender laughing.” Remembering Kathi has been at the center of the 3-Day events for them, but they are far from surrendering the fight to find a cure. Say hello to this powerhouse family in Philadelphia this weekend!

Alexa carries the flag “My Mother” at the 2013 Philadelphia Opening Ceremony

Celebrating Breast Cancer Awareness Month

It’s not just the leaves that are changing color this October. October also turns a brilliant pink as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month takes over. Our Susan G. Komen 3-Day community is definitely well outfitted to wear their pink pride!

In addition to continuing to share stories from the 3-Day, we will celebrate National Breast Cancer Awareness Month by featuring important news from the Susan G. Komen® website. Here are two great websites to check out:

I Am Susan G. Komen: Five contributors share how they were affected by breast cancer and the role that Komen funding has played in their journey. The 3-Day’s own Richard Perrine is one of those featured. Don’t miss the video clip at the end of his story.

Susan G. Komen® Blog: Breast cancer survivors, scientists and advocates share their stories on the Komen blog. Check it out for updates on Komen-funded research and their mission.

2013 San Francisco 3-Day Closing Ceremonies flag bearers

Seattle’s Pink Kilt

William K from Redmond, Washington, awaits the Opening Ceremony at the 2013 Seattle 3-Day

“Everyone recognizes the Backpack Guy,” mentions a pink-clad walker in the darkness of the Seattle Center. “He’s been doing this forever, and we even saw him in Tampa Bay last year!” The pink boas, the tutus, the extraordinary amount of pink necklaces that would make a rapper proud are the norm out here on the Susan G. Komen 3-Day^®. It’s usually also safe to say that most participants are either directly or indirectly affected by breast cancer, and it is common to find man cancer survivors and even those in treatment out braving the elements and pushing their physical limits for the cause.

William K from Redmond, Washington, had no ties.

William K greets Susan G. Komen walkers on Day 1 of the Seattle 3-Day

William K greets walkers on Day 1 of the Seattle 3-Day

In his 9th year of walking the Seattle 3-Day, he has donned a pink kilt (a ‘Utilikit’), some seriously sturdy leather boots, and an unmistakeable backpack. Not a small bag on his back or a fanny pack, mind you, but a full backpacking-style backpack. “It slows me down,” William mentioned in the pink light of the Opening Ceremony, with the Space Needle in the background. That and the large wrist weights that look like a superhero’s outfit. “Oh yes, the wrist weights,” adds William, noticing that I am staring at them. “They really help make your hands feel better.” That would make sense, since a lot of walkers notice the swollen hands that develop from swinging back and forth for 60 miles. After a good look at him, he appears something like a Scottish soldier with a serious penchant for pink. The overwhelmingly female crowd loves him, though, and he has become a staple to the annual event in Seattle.

William K in his pink kilt strides through the Ballard locks on his way to the Seattle Center and Closing Ceremony

“I’m a systems engineer in Redmond, but when I started, I had no connection to breast cancer. It was just a lot of fun,” says William between ‘hellos’ to people who recognize him as they pass. “Since I started though, I’ve had my mom and a sister diagnosed with breast cancer, so now it’s become very relevant.”

As a male with no initial connection to breast cancer, William still encourages other men and women to become involved, even if they don’t know someone directly. “I never worried about wearing the pink of the 3-Day, and it’s really easy to get involved! I would advise people to stand out, have fun, and make a strong statement!” Go William! He and 1,100 walkers and 300 crew members will wrap up the 60-mile route today that has raised $2.9 million to help end breast cancer!