From Walker to Medical Crew: Kirstin B.’s Inspiring 3-Day Journey

Kirstin B. began her journey with the medical crew in 2016 as an emergency medical technician at the Philadelphia 3-Day.

Kirstin B. first participated in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® when she was just 15, walking in memory of her godmother who passed away from breast cancer when Kirstin was a child. Today, as a registered nurse, Kirstin plays a vital role on the 3-Day medical crew.  

She began her journey with the medical crew in 2016 as an emergency medical technician at the Philadelphia 3-Day. After becoming a registered nurse, she volunteered at all 3-Day events starting in 2022, except for San Diego, where she still walks as a participant. 

“When I started the 3-Day, I did it for my godmother, now I do it for everyone who is here walking,” Kirstin said. “I am so grateful to use my skills to help encourage and assist participants in achieving their walking goals.” 

Kirstin and her parents at the Komen 3-Day.

The medical crew is an essential part of the 3-Day, offering support to walkers in need of medical assistance. These dedicated volunteers, who are licensed health care providers, staff the medical tents at each 3-Day location. They are available daily from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., ready to treat everything from blisters and knee pain to dehydration and bee stings. The crew also provides medical support at the pit stops, along the route and at camp. 

“We’ve seen some serious medical problems like stroke and choking,” Kirstin explained. “In those situations, we immediately call 911 and make sure the person gets to the hospital.” 

While the days are long for 3-Day medical crew members, the reward is more than worth it for Kirstin. 

“It’s so fulfilling to listen to someone’s story of why they walk while I patch up their blisters or help them with their medical issue,” she said. “It’s even more rewarding to see them out the next day, continuing their journey, and to encourage them throughout the event.” 

One memorable moment for Kirstin took place at the 2022 Boston 3-Day, when she met a couple whose daughter, Ashley, died at the age of 36 from breast cancer.  

“I was helping them with their blisters, and they told me about Ashley. She was a mother of four, and her youngest was only 18 months old when she passed away,” Kirstin recalled. “I felt privileged to help them fulfill their commitment to walk 60 miles in memory of their daughter.” 

Kirstin had the honor of walking across the 3-Day finish line with Ashley’s parents. “Moments like that keep me coming back to the medical crew every year,” she added. 

In 2023, Kirstin served as a medical crew captain in Chicago, and this year, she will do the same in Boston. 

In 2025, Kirstin Brown will be the captain for the New England 3-Day.  

Are you interested in joining Kirstin on the medical crew? If so, send us an email at: 

2025crew@the3day.org or visit the 3-Day for more information. 

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. 

April Pink Bubble Story of the Month: Sherrylyn R.  

In 2019, Sherrylyn was 41 years old, her career was at an all-time high, and she and her partner were ready to expand their family. Eager to enter this new chapter of her life, she met with a fertility doctor who advised her to get testing done, including a mammogram. Thinking this was just another routine measure, one mammogram turned into another mammogram which led to a few ultrasounds, and eventually a mammogram biopsy. This resulted in Sherrylyn’s initial diagnosis of ADH deficiency, a hormone that regulates water balance in your body, with associated calcifications on her right breast. Her oncologist suggested an excisional biopsy, but with the holidays quickly approaching, she figured that ADH was nothing to get too worried about and scheduled the outpatient procedure for late January 2020. In the meantime, Sherrylyn’s doctor ordered an MRI for the excisional biopsy, ultimately revealing another growth on her right breast. What she originally thought was non-urgent turned into a diagnosis of stage 0 breast cancer with associated calcifications and ductal carcinoma in situ.  

With this new diagnosis, Sherrylyn’s January 2020 surgery for ADH was canceled, and she was instead scheduled to consult a geneticist for genetic testing and a plastic surgeon for reconstruction. The genetic testing was negative for the BRCA gene which frustrated Sherrylyn as she thought it would be easier to decide on a bilateral mastectomy if she had the BRCA gene. With the help of her oncologist, plastic surgeon, and the support from her family Sherrylyn decided on a bilateral mastectomy for peace of mind, and reconstruction to make her feel whole again. With efficiency in mind, Sherrylyn and her oncologist agreed to schedule the surgery for April 2020 before a 10-day vacation with her partner to ensure ample time off for rest and recovery. Though her doctor agreed on her chosen date for the procedure, they insisted she not wait any longer than that. They scheduled her April surgery consisting of a biopsy and lumpectomy on her right breast followed by radiation and an antihormonal endocrine treatment versus a bilateral mastectomy.  

We all know what happened in April 2020, as states shut down due to COVID-19. Sherrylyn was assured that her surgery would be performed as scheduled since it was essential, but she didn’t receive any other face-to-face time with her surgeons until the day of procedure. To make matters more complicated, her major surgery would now have to be outpatient to lessen any possible COVID-19 exposure in the hospital while recovering. She felt helpless, secluded, changed and unsure if she had made the right decisions. Some doubts would occasionally arise such as if any of her life choices would have prevented this or if she should have changed her priorities. Throughout recovery, Sherrylyn gained weight and was swollen for quite some time. To combat this, her surgeon suggested that she take more walks to heal faster and lessen swelling. With lockdown measures in full swing, she began walking around the neighborhood one block at a time until she found herself clocking three miles. She would spend this time discovering podcasts, listening to music, and searching for a community of breast cancer survivors. She eventually stumbled upon the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® and decided to commit as a 1-Day Walker in the 2021 San Diego 3-Day. 

With her avid walking schedule, Sherrylyn felt prepared and secure that even if she couldn’t do the full 20 miles in one day, she would still make a difference with fundraising and advance her physical progress. At her first Komen 3-Day, she lost one big toenail because of the hills and wrong shoe choice, but she felt revived. This encouraged her to walk all three days in Chicago 2022, but after the second day, she had many blisters and changed some practices along the route for Day 3. So, when a 2-Day Walker option was offered for the 2023 Denver 3-Day, she didn’t think twice. It was the city where her best friends live and since she works on the weekends, it was much more convenient to get two days off instead of three. With three 3-Days under her belt as a 1-Day, 2-Day and 3-Day Walker, Sherrylyn advises everyone to keep walking no matter how long or short each walk is. Know your body and listen to every ache and pain; it is not giving up if you must take a break or ask for help or a ride. As far as fundraising, don’t be shy to just ask people and share why it is important for you. Her favorite way to fundraise is to give people a card with a QR code to her fundraising account and to consistently remember why we raise this money. “Breast cancer has affected many like me. But unlike me not all of them have the financial means, resources or support to beat the disease. I also believe our donations fund organizations that lead change in government policies that affect healthcare and insurance” she shared. 

Each year has been a vastly different experience for Sherrylyn. In San Diego, she had a tremendous amount of fun since every street was full of support and her whole family and best friend’s family were there to meet her at the finish line. Chicago was special because of the walk along the lake, seeing Frank Gehry homes, having a walker stalker from her high school in the Philippines, and a couple of friends flew in as well. In Denver, she enjoyed walking through the beautiful neighborhoods and was supported by two of her friends from California who met with two Denver-based friends. Though each event is a different experience, it is the feelings of accomplishment and purpose that bring her back time and time again. It is a time for her to cry, laugh out loud, and reflect on the trials that she has faced brought on by breast cancer. Sherrylyn defines the Pink Bubble as “an aura of positivity from an unfortunate event that brought us together. The experience gives me space to reflect on the journey I’ve been on and the road ahead.” 

Sherrylyn looks forward to walking in the 2024 Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day with an official team, For the Love of ChiChi. 

Congratulations to our Top Fundraisers from the 2023 Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day! 

The 2023 Susan G. Komen Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day boasted 600 walkers and 200 crew members who collectively raised $2 million in the fight against breast cancer. To wrap up Day 1, our top fundraisers were recognized Friday evening at the Bank of America Celebration of Champions. This year, Bank of America is celebrating the accomplishments of our 3-Dayers by donating a collective $42,000 to the top fundraisers to jump start their 2024 fundraising efforts. Join us in congratulating these teams and individuals for their incredible achievements and contributions! 

We kicked off the celebration by recognizing our Rookie of the Year, Nicole A., who raised $17,284 for her first ever 3-Day! The crowd applauded her incredible contributions as she posed for a picture with Bank of America’s very own Kim Hamstead who delivered a $500 donation to kick off her 2024 fundraising.  

Bouncin’ Buckeyes was then awarded our Small but Mighty Team award after their two-person team raised a whopping $80,234, demonstrating that anything is possible with enough perseverance. Team Captain Rachel B. was awarded a $500 donation and her fellow teammate received $60 to kick-start their 2024 fundraising. Rachel individually contributed an astounding $75,111, making her this weekend’s Top Individual Fundraiser for which she was awarded another $500 donation courtesy of Bank of America. Speaking of tenacity in fundraising, our Top Fundraising 20-Mile Walker, Barbara B., raised $15,389 for her very first 3-Day! 

Our Top Fundraising Team, STEPS, was recognized for the $172,014 that all 73 members came together to raise. Team Captains Sheryl C. and Dana B. humbly accepted their $500 donation from Bank of America and their 71 teammates were each awarded $60 toward their 2024 fundraising. In their fourteen years as a team, STEPS has raised a tremendous $1,598,641 to help find the cures for breast cancer. With 73 members strong, you’d think that STEPS is the largest team, but Pink Soles in Motion boasted 97 members. Together, they raised $155,890, making them the second highest fundraising team at the 2023 Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day. Thank you, teams! 

We can’t forget about our crew members who collectively raised $61,245 in the Lonestar State! From Sweep & Shuttle, our Top Individual Crew Fundraiser, Fee P., was honored for the $5,139 she raised this year at her 18th event. The Sweep & Shuttle Crew Team not only brought our Top Individual Crew Fundraiser, but also rang in as the Top Fundraising Crew Team with 20 members who came together to raise $18,160!  

We then honored our youngest fundraisers from the Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day Youth Corps, who altogether raised $7,641! Chance J. participated in his very first 3-Day and raised $1,189, making him this event’s Top Youth Corps Fundraiser. Chance will be receiving a customized Hydro Flask courtesy of Bank of America which he can use with pride. We are so grateful for and proud of our Youth Corps who continually remind us of the future we fundraise to improve. 

Whether you were a top fundraiser or hit your own fundraising goals for the 2023 Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day, the work that you do and the funds that you raise are ever important. We are so grateful to each and every one of you for making the Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day so memorable and impactful. On behalf of Bank of America and Susan G. Komen, thank you for all that you do to help fight breast cancer.