The Center of the Pink Bubble: The 3-Day Crew

The Susan G. Komen 3-Day®?Crew is an integral part of what makes the Pink Bubble possible! Whether you’re in a cozy massage chair at camp or miles into the route, these participants are at the core of your Komen 3-Day experience. They are the backbone of the 3-Day® and serve up delicious food, ensure your safety, provide medical attention, and much more throughout the weekend. Whether you’re walking or are thinking of being a crew member, you may be wondering what the different positions entail and how it all comes together. We’re going to cover all sixteen positions which fall under the categories of camp teams, road teams, medical teams, and others.

CAMP TEAMS

SUPPORT SERVICES — Works closely with the Command Center Support Services team to transport non-emergency injured participants to/from Quick Care, the hospital or back to camp, as well as executing various support services responsibilities.

HOTEL OPERATIONS?(Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver and New England 3-Days only) — Supports all facets of hotel operations such as driving hotel shuttle vans, staffing the information table, serving in the 3-Day Lounge, luggage collection, transport and/or retrieval, scanning walkers in/out each day, managing hydration tables and managing participant traffic.

“I love working with the amazing Hotel Operations crew because it is so much fun getting to create an amazing experience for all the walkers and crew members on event. Whether it is staffing a table on Main Street or cheering people on at walk-in/walk-out, my crew and I bring the party and hope that everyone enjoys the comforts of their 3-Day home.” —Kevin Y.

CAMP SERVICES?(San Diego 3-Day only) — Set up, manage and break down the service areas in camp including the 3-Day Lounge, check-in, Pink Information tent, shower area, and traffic stations.

CAMP OPERATIONS?(San Diego 3-Day only) —Work behind the scenes to create a great experience for others and is central to building and maintaining camp and producing a warm, cozy and clean atmosphere during the event.

FOOD SERVICE?(San Diego 3-Day only) — Serves a hot breakfast and dinner to all participants.

GEAR & TENT?(San Diego 3-Day only) — Transports gear and tents to camp and provides protection of the participants’ gear, campsite and vehicles.

ROAD TEAMS

EVENT SUPPORT — This team consists of experienced 3-Day Crew who are ready to step in wherever needed. They may assist with pit stop support, ceremonies, managing shuttle transport, relocation, and serve as extra route safety.

PIT STOP, GRAB & GO, LUNCH — Sets up and runs one of the many pit stops along the route, which provides water, sports drinks and snacks or a Grab & Go which only includes a hydration tent.

“I’ve been part of the lunch crew in three cities and the one thing that doesn’t change from city to city is the joy we receive from walkers as they eat lunch and enjoy whatever decorations or fun we have come up with. I’ve met people and built relationships that have changed my perspective and brightened my days well beyond the 3-Day. At lunch, we work hard and play harder!” —Deena D.

ROUTE MARKING — Marks the route with directional signage, picks up signage after the route has closed each day, and repairs signage as needed.

“There is so much I enjoy about crewing at the 3-Day; the camaraderie and talking with everyone because we all have different stories as to why we crew, so I enjoy learning about them. I enjoy being a part of the backbone of the walk itself, because the crews together make up the foundation of each 3-Day. It is knowing I’m one person amongst many who provides services and support to assist the walkers in being able to do their part; to walk, to fundraise, to help Komen be a leader in cancer research and medical advancements.” —Vivian O.

ROUTE SAFETY — Patrols the route on bicycle or motorcycle to ensure safety while stationed at intersections or where traffic may be an issue.

ROUTE SUPPORT —?Drives from pit stop to pit stop loading and delivering snacks, hydration, and ice, packs up route supplies and removes all waste materials from each route site.

SWEEP & SHUTTLE?— Drives passenger vans and picks up walkers between pit stops with fatigue or medical issues and transports them to the nearest pit stop.

“Being a member of the Susan G Komen 3-Day Sweep and Shuttle crew team is an honor and privilege. Though we have long days, this crew job is still one of the most popular because of the interaction we have with walkers. Each van is staffed with two crew members, usually trading off as driver and navigator. Our goal is to pick up walkers wanting a ride and lift their spirits while moving them forward along the route. We create a theme to decorate our van and wear costumes and often have some sort of giveaway for the walkers who ride with us. Being part of the 3-Day Sweep and Shuttle team is a highlight of my year!” —Janet K.

PARKING SIGNAGE?(San Diego 3-Day only) — Removes “no parking” signage from each day’s route and sets up/removes event equipment as needed and corrects any no parking signage issues that may arise.

MEDICAL TEAMS

MEDICAL — Doctors, PAs, NPs, RNs, LVNs/LPNs and EMTs (basic and paramedic) provide medical assistance and evaluation for minor injuries.

SPORTS MEDICINE — Athletic trainers, physical therapists and chiropractors that provide services related to the prevention, evaluation, and management of minor injuries.

OTHER TEAMS

YOUTH CORPS LEADER?— Works closely with the Youth Corps Captain to ensure the team’s guidance in the months leading up to the event and directly oversees this youth team during the event weekend.

“The cool thing about being a Youth Corps captain is that the kids help you grow too. Where else do you get to be silly, goofy, and let your inner child run free without judgement? No one faults you for messing up the Wobble ten times in a row. Instead, they giggle with you until you all have a side ache! When you cry at the Closing Ceremony, you end up in the middle of a giant, yellow-shirted group hug. Being a Youth Corps captain allows you to see the 3-Day from a different perspective—that of the next generation.” —Missy G.

If you’re not on your ideal crew team because the team was full when you selected your assignment, fill out a Crew Wish List Form (2024 Crew Wish List Form) to let us know which crew teams you are interested in being a part of this year.

A Guide to the Route: Pit Stop vs Grab & Go

The Susan G. Komen 3-Day® is filled with experiences and information that may seem foreign to first-time participants or even veterans. To ensure that you show up to the event as prepared as possible, we’re kicking off A Guide to the Route, a three-part series giving you a behind-the-scenes glance at what you’ll see while inside the Pink Bubble. Today we’ll be covering the differences between a pit stop and a grab & go. Future posts will talk about sweep vans and ceremonies, providing insightful information from those who create the event from the ground up.

When you arrive at the Komen 3-Day you’ll be handed a route card each day which provides information regarding the day’s mileage and schedule. You’ll probably notice a plethora of pit stops and the occasional grab & go along the route and may wonder exactly what these are. While similar in their purpose to provide you with a place to rest and fuel up, there is a difference between the two types of stops. It’s important to know what makes these two route stops unique, so that when you begin each day of the 3-Day®, you can plan accordingly and in a way that will help you safely reach the finish line. To ensure that you’re successful along the route, we’ve gone ahead and noted all the frequently asked questions and misconceptions about pit stops vs grab & gos.

What is a pit stop?

A pit stop is a rest opportunity for walkers that occurs every 3–4 miles as allowed. Pit stops have snacks, drinks, portable toilets and medical. They are a chance for walkers to take a load off, refresh their water bottles or seek medical attention if necessary.

What is a grab & go?

A grab & go is a mini rest stop and is used to fill in gaps in mileage where a pit stop either doesn’t fit or where there is too much mileage between stops. A grab and go only offers drinks and portable toilets for walkers. A grab & go does not have snacks or medical services.

What are the similarities and differences between the two?

Like a pit stop, a grab and go has a scheduled opening and closing time to ensure participants keep on pace. Both are staffed with wonderful crew who are ready to add a little pep and energy back into your step.

While both are available to all walkers, ONLY a pit stop has medical crew present and is staffed to help ALL walkers. Without Medical onsite at a grab & go, walkers who need medical help are brought to the next available pit stop. Sweep vans, vehicles that pick up participants along the route and bring them to the next stop, do NOT drop or pick up from a grab & go (except in extreme situations).

When can a walker expect to see a pit stop vs. a grab & go?

Pit stops are approximately every 3–4 miles. A grab & go is used to fill in gaps when mileage between pit stops is more than four miles, to help whenever participants are bussed out to the route, or whenever a site is not large enough for a pit stop.

How many grab & gos are on the route each day?

The number will vary depending on the needs of the route each day. Typically, there is one grab & go each day but sometimes there are none and in very rare cases there are two.

What are the need-to-knows when planning your day along the route?

Since your safety is of our utmost importance, sweep vans are NOT allowed to drop off participants at grab & go locations as the onsite crew is not equipped to assist walkers in need. A grab & go is staffed with a smaller crew than a pit stop and it does not have the resources or space for medical crew or to provide sweep van access. If after arriving at a grab & go you decide that you need to utilize a sweep van, you will need to walk out on the route and signal for a sweep van like you typically would.

If you have any more questions regarding pit stops vs grab & gos, please contact your 3-Day coach for more information. Happy walking!

November Pink Bubble Story of the Month – Debra E.

Every year, thousands of philanthropic individuals come together in cities across the country to walk 20, 40, or 60 miles, united by a common goal—making a significant impact in the fight against breast cancer. Amongst those in the ocean of pink this year was Debra E., a breast cancer survivor who participated in her first ever 3-Day this year in Denver, both as a crew member and 1-Day walker. We met with Debra who shared her personal journey, reflecting on how this experience deeply touched her heart.

Last year, Debra heard about the 3-Day on a Facebook post which prompted her to become involved with Susan G. Komen both locally and with the 3-Day. Inspired by her own survivorship, her grandmother and several close friends who have battled breast cancer, she decided to participate in the 2022 Susan G. Komen Denver More Than Pink Walk. Having loved her experience at that event, she signed up for the 3-Day to further contribute to the cause.

As a first-time 3-Dayer and combination crew member and walker, Debra was unsure of what to expect, but was blown away by her experience. She was able to make friends with both crew and walkers, so while walking on Day 3, crew members that she met in days prior were cheering her on along the route and at the finish line. Recounting her first-time laying eyes on the sea of people who were all there to support survivors, thrivers, and those walking for loved ones that could not, the feeling was indescribable. “Everyone had a smile and supportive words, and it was so infectious,” she shared. “Walking was a very supportive experience. Even when I struggled because I had a knee injury, I was still getting encouragement and support from everyone in the Pink Bubble!”

Participating in the 3-Day necessitates both physical and mental preparation. To adequately prepare for the monumental event, Debra took advice that veteran walkers shared on the Facebook pages and during the online Social Hours. She went on training walks and fundraised through social media and by emailing everyone she could think of.

Debra recalls her favorite moments of the Denver 3-Day meeting the incredible walkers and crew members, and that seeing her loved ones as she crossed the finish line was particularly humbling. Her advice to anyone who is hesitant to sign up is “Just do it! It may sound very daunting, but I expect that you will get caught up in the excitement and won’t even notice the miles go by.” Having loved her experience at the 3-Day, Debra has signed up to crew/walk the 2024 Denver and crew San Diego 3-Day.

It’s people like Debra who make the 3-Day possible and such a rewarding experience. It is about so much more than walking, but coming together to do something challenging as we raise funds to advance breast cancer research, treatment, and awareness. In Debra’s very own words, “We [walk to] raise money so that we can eradicate breast cancer FOREVER!”

See previous Pink Bubble Story of the Month blog posts here.