Dallas/Fort Worth Milestone Award Winner: Kriste R.

Kriste R. receiving the Milestone Award at the 2025 Dallas/Fort Worth Celebration of Champions.

At this season’s Susan G. Komen Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day®, Kriste R. was honored with the 2025 Milestone Award, recognizing her many years of fundraising, walking and commitment to the Pink Bubble community.

The Milestone Award celebrates legendary 3-Day participants who demonstrate unwavering dedication to raising game-changing funds in support of Komen’s vision to end breast cancer forever.

Kriste’s story is one of courage and perseverance. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006 while eight months pregnant with her son. Since then, she has participated in the 3-Day 10 times and raised more than $175,000.

She received her award during the Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day Celebration of Champions ceremony, where her best friend and teammate, Kennita, delivered a heartwarming speech.

“Kriste is the strongest person I know. She faced every challenge with courage, grace and a smile that never faded. She didn’t just survive—she inspired,” Kennita shared.

Kriste’s commitment to the 3-Day is rooted in personal loss and family history.

“I have lost my father and sister, who were both carriers of the BRCA2 gene mutation. I walk in memory of them,” Kriste shared. “I’ve learned from the Pink Bubble community that no one wants to be a part of the breast cancer community, but everyone has to be until we find the cures.”

Her fierce determination is nothing short of extraordinary. Just two years ago, Kriste walked the 3-Day with a broken back, undergoing surgery less than a week later— a true testament to her unstoppable grit.

Congratulations, Kriste! Your strength and dedication continue to inspire us all.

Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day: A Little Rain, a Lot of Heart

Women in pink cowboy hats at the 2025 Dallas/Fort Worth Komen 3-Day

The Susan G. Komen 3-Day® filled the streets of Dallas and Fort Worth this past weekend. Even when the rain rolled in and led to some minor scheduling adjustments, the Pink Bubble’s spirit remained strong. Together, 800 walkers and crew celebrated raising $2.1 million to support Komen’s vision to end breast cancer forever.

Day 1

Bud C. spoke at the Opening Ceremony at the 2025 Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day.

At the Opening Ceremony at the Hyatt Regency Dallas, participants shared deeply personal stories and their connection to the Pink Bubble community. Bud C. spoke about his wife Julie’s journey with triple negative breast cancer. “Now, five years cancer-free, Julie and I decided there was no better way to celebrate than in the Pink Bubble.”

In a touching moment, Nelia S., who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, rang the bell for her first time. “When I finished treatment, I never rang the bell,” she said. “But today, I ring the bell for everyone who been impacted by breast cancer.”

Nelia rang the bell at the 2025 Susan G. Komen Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day.

The Promise Flag was raised in memory of Jess, who died from breast cancer in 2021, just before her 48th birthday. Her teenage son walked the 3-Day for his first time. “Jess believed deeply in Susan G. Komen’s commitment to research. She understood that new treatments meant more time, and Komen-funded research gave her some of that precious time,” said her friend Kim. G. “For that, we’re forever grateful.”

Survivors and those living with metastatic breast cancer then led walkers out to the route, spreading Pink Bubble magic through the Government District, Deep Ellum and the Hollywood/Santa Monica neighborhood of east Dallas.

Pink Bubble walkers were cheered on by Bank of America employees at the Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day.

That evening, the Celebration of Champions, sponsored by national presenting sponsor Bank of America, recognized top fundraisers and teams, along with the youngest crew members and fundraisers from the Youth Corps.

Day 2

Pink Bubble walkers at Fort Worth Gardens during the 2025 Susan G. Komen 3-Day.

Saturday brought stormy weather and a few route adjustments to ensure the safety of walkers, crew and volunteers. Buses took walkers to the beautiful city of Fort Worth, where they explored the vibrant Fort Worth Water Gardens, the JFK Tribute and Veteran’s Memorial Park, which is dedicated to the heroes of World Wars I and II. Some walkers even got a little wet.

Although the route closed early due to rain, participants’ enthusiasm never wavered.

Selfies at the 2025 Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day

Cecilia, a 3-Day walker and breast cancer survivor, walked 11 miles and said the day was awesome: “Everyone loved walking Fort Worth, even with the shortened route.”

Back at the hotel, walkers had the chance to visit the beloved Memorial Mile, honoring loved ones who lost their lives to breast cancer.

Memorial Mile at the 2025 Dallas/Fort Worth Komen 3-Day.

At the Honor Ceremony that evening, Patti R. spoke about her sister, Kathryn, who had breast cancer twice and passed away in May. “She went through so much in her lifetime, but she never let it define her,” Patti shared. “Most of the time, she faced it with a smile. When I think of Kathryn, three words come to mind: love, strength, and courage.”

Kamilah G. paid tribute to her mom, Zetta, who was diagnosed with breast cancer three times. “My mom was a teacher by trade, a nurturer by heart, and a fighter by necessity,” she said. “Her love was bold, her wisdom sweet like honey, her faith unshakable.”

After the heartfelt speeches, participants lit a candle as a sign of hope and recited together: “We will never give up.”

Participants lit candles at the 2025 Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day Honor Ceremony.

Day 3

By Sunday, the rain had passed making way for walkers to enjoy a full final day of the Pink Bubble journey. Walkers enjoyed a scenic walk through Turtle Creek Park, by the Dallas Museum of Art and some even paused for puppy cuddles and photos at Pit Stop 3, which featured adoptable pit bulls. Members of the Dallas Police Department even walked the last mile of the route to show their support for Susan G. Komen®.

Members of the Dallas Police Department at the 2025 Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day.

At the Closing Ceremony, 11 people were welcomed into the Lifetime Commitment Club after raising over $100,000 each to benefit the 3-Day. The Last Walker Flag was raised, and walkers and their families celebrated through tears and lifted their shoes in honor of every survivor and thriver who made the 3-Day journey unforgettable.

On the final day of the 3-Day in Dallas, walkers lift their shoes in solidarity.

As the weekend came to a close, the streets of Dallas were filled with gratitude and hope. Each dollar raised and each story shared moves the 3-Day community one step closer to a world without breast cancer.

How the Youth Corps Led Kim C. to a Career in Ministry

Kim and Jennifer C. at the Komen 3-Day with angel wings on their headbands.

For many participants, the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® is more than just a walk—it’s the start of something bigger. For Kim C., it was the beginning of a lifelong journey dedicated to service.

“I love working with youth and watching them grow through life,” Kim said. “And a big part of that is because of where I started.”

Kim’s 3-Day story began in 2012, when she joined the Youth Corps at the age of 12. The Youth Corps is a special group of young volunteers, ages 10 to 16, who support walkers during the 3-Day by offering a helping hand, cheering them on and lifting their spirits every step of the way.

Kim first learned about the Youth Corps from her mother, Jennifer, who attended an informational meeting for the Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day and thought the program could be a great opportunity for her daughter.

Kim at the age of 12 with her mom in her Youth Corps sweater. “She was very shy and unsure of herself at that time,” Jennifer recalled. “But when she started on the Youth Corps, I watched her transformation begin right away.”

Kim volunteered for three years with the Youth Corps, and it became a defining part of her teenage years.

“We would go up to the walkers and ask if we could walk with them for a minute,” Kim said. “It was always mid-day, right before lunch. We got to hear their stories and connect with them, and we would encourage them to keep going because at that time of the day they’d usually be exhausted.”

Kim says those meaningful conversations left a last impression on her, not just because of what she gave but also because of what she received.

“There is something really powerful about getting outside of your own lived experiences and talking with people who’ve been through different struggles,” she said. “That’s a really formational part of life.”

Kim and her mom, Jennifer, at the 3-Day in pink hats.

Now 25, Kim has been involved in the 3-Day for more than half her life. In that time, she supported countless walkers and raised over $38,000 to help end breast cancer.

Today, Kim has dedicated her life to supporting young people. She recently earned a Master of Arts in ministry from Southern Methodist University, graduating summa cum laude. Today, she works full-time as a youth ministry associate at a Texas church, leading mission trips where youth repair houses and serve at food banks.

“For the past 13 years, I have watched Kim blossom from being a Youth Corps member to a 3-Day walker and now as a Youth Corps leader,” Jennifer said. “With each event she participates in, she grows stronger, more confident and realizes how much she enjoys helping people.”

Kim and Jennifer’s dedication to the 3-Day is also deeply personal. Kim was named after her mother’s best friend, lovingly known as, “Big Kim,” who was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 39 and died when Kim was just 5 months old.

“Breast cancer has always been close to home for us, and it always will,” Jennifer added.

This fall, Jennifer will walk in the San Diego 3-Day, while Kim will be leading the Youth Corps in Dallas/Fort Worth. They said they look forward to continuing a shared 3-Day journey they began together more than a decade ago.

Kim and her mom, Jennifer, at the 3-Day holding hands wearing angel wings.