Congratulations to the 2019 Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day Local Impact Award Winner, Mary Tengra

For the 2019 Susan G. Komen 3-Day® season, we’re pleased to be continuing the Local Impact Award. This award is being given to participants who have been instrumental in strengthening the 3-Day® community throughout the year. Local Impact Award honorees have gone above and beyond in their efforts leading training walks, attending 3-Day community events, supporting the 3-Day staff year-round at meet-ups and workshops, and in general, making a difference by building lasting relationships and showing commitment to the 3-Day in all they do.

Please join us in congratulating the 2019 Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day Local Impact Award Winner, Mary Tengra!

Mary’s teammates can’t say enough good things about her! They raved, “When someone asks Mary how much further, she will always say, “7 more minutes” – no matter how much further. When asked how far the training walk will be, she’ll also always estimates with “-ish” after the mileage (like “12-ish miles”).

She works hard to find fundraising opportunities for the team, always encourages single walkers to join her team and is literally available for her teammates, no matter what they need. What you see is what you get with Mary and that’s why we love her.”

And we love her too! That’s why we had to hear about Mary’s 3-Day in her own words! When she answered these questions, Mary didn’t yet know she’d be our Local Impact Award Winner…

What was your inspiration to do your first 3-Day?

Of course, to find a cure, but also to meet new people! To have a purpose since my children had all left the nest and we had moved to a new house.

What has brought you back to the 3-Day year after year?

Friends – the joy of walking – and being outside!

What is the secret to your 3-Day fundraising success?

I am lucky in the fundraising department: I married a rich man haha ?

What is your best advice to anyone walking the 3-Day?

Train with a group, it’s much more fun! You will make lasting friendships.

What’s a fun fact about you?

I don’t have hidden talents – but I will tell you I enjoy sitting on the couch eating French fries and watching TV after a long walk!

What are the most important lessons you’ve learned on the 3-Day?

Dress in light layers for cool weather. You don’t want to carry extra clothes for 20 miles. But, with that said, wearing something decorative is a lot of fun. I wear yellow on Sunday at the 3-Day!

Congratulations to the 2019 Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day Milestone Award Winner, Pat Spring

Please join us in congratulating our 2019 Dallas/Fort Worth Milestone Award Winner; Pat Spring! The Susan G. Komen 3-Day® Milestone Award is given at each event to a walker or crew member who has an outstanding history of participation in the Komen 3-Day. At the Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day camp show, we presented Pat with this special honor.

It is certainly well-deserved! Pat is a much loved member of our family, and her dedication to the 3-Day in unparalleled. Her friends say she loves Chardonnay, the outdoors and her dogs. She also “will run circles around everyone” during her 3-Day training.

We learned more about her 3-Day story, and the secrets to her fundraising success, from Pat herself. When she answered these questions, she didn’t know she’d soon be our Milestone Award Winner!

What was your inspiration to do your first 3-Day?

In 2006, I was an 11-year survivor, having been diagnosed in 1995 at the age of 49. My good friend, Kay, was diagnosed and underwent a mastectomy in May of ’06. I kept seeing the 3-Day promotion on TV and every time, I would tear up! I talked Kay into signing up and then had no choice except to sign up myself! We walked in Dallas that year and then in Boston in 2008. I was hooked!

What has brought you back to the 3-Day year after year?

This year will be my 14th walk and I will turn 73 shortly after the Dallas/Fort Worth event – that’s not really old compared to some of the other folks, right? I have two daughters, three granddaughters and a daughter-in-law whom I love dearly. I am determined to do what I can to change the future for them if at all possible! I am the fourth generation in my family to have had breast cancer, and my daughter-in-law’s mom is also a survivor, so you can understand my motivation! The fabulous results of the Susan G. Komen Foundation work is what brings me back year after year. The advances in treatment and early discovery have been so encouraging! There is absolutely no possibility that I can stop as long as I am able!

What is the secret to your 3-Day fundraising success?

My fundraising success comes from a fabulous network of friends and family! Just ask! Facebook Fundraising has been phenomenally successful, and I am blessed to have several teachers in the family who sponsor PINK OUT WEEK at their schools, with the fundraising results being contributed to the 3-Day in my name. I live in a small community, so we don’t have a lot of businesses to call upon for donations, so these alternatives have worked well for me. I send out letters every year and have at least a 90% response! Old school – snail mail! You have to appeal to the targeted age-group. E-mails work better with the younger crowd!

What is your best advice to anyone walking the 3-Day?

Train, train, train! I use the training app and follow the schedule as closely as possible! Get fitted for shoes at a running shop and buy the best shoes you can afford! Got to take care of those feet!

What’s a fun fact about you?

I love to water ski, and my dream is to hike the Appalachian Trail – soon! LOL! Running out of time!

What are the most important lessons you’ve learned on the 3-Day?

The most important lesson the 3-Day has taught me is that we are stronger than we realize, and we are capable of helping so many others. By our dedication to the cause of eradicating breast cancer we can give women hope and the knowledge that others care deeply for them! We CAN make a difference when we come together! I love that we can!

Meet Your 2019 Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day Coaches

The Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day is this week…can you believe it?! We are so excited to head to the Lone Star State, the home of Susan G. Komen, for an amazing weekend.

No one is more excited than your Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day team! Your coaches Gayla and Liz, plus your amazing Crew Coordinators Gina and Kiki, as well as Event Planner Eileen have all been counting down the days to this weekend for a whole year. They’re ready to welcome you with open arms!

But, before we officially kick off the weekend, they are here to get you pumped for your 60-mile journey with their favorite spots along the route and why they look forward to this weekend all year. They are truly a team full of love for each other, and for each of their 3-Day participants. That’s because they are all one big family…

“The 3-Day to me is a family, a family bound together by their passion, enthusiasm and drive to make a difference in the fight against breast cancer,” says Coach Gina.

And that includes this coaching team. They have so much love for each other!

Gina says that “Liz and Gayla are not only the faces of the DFW 3-Day, but the heart as well! Their love and passion for this event are incredible. I am constantly in awe of them. Everyone should be sure to give them both a high-five and a hug!”

They love Coach Gina as well, with Coach Liz calling her “the sweetest kindest person I know,” and Gayla saying that Gina “really appreciates the work all of the crew members put forth all season long. I am so honored to have her as a co-worker and friend. It makes my job that much more meaningful.”

The whole team also raves about Coach Kiki, who Liz calls “hilarious and oh so productive,” and Eileen, who has created an amazing 3-Days of route that everyone will be sure to love.

What are some highlights that the coaches especially love?

The Sculpture Garden right after Opening Ceremony
The Cattle Drive bronze statures
Walking through the Roughrider Stadium in Frisco and seeing everyone’s pictures on the big screen in centerfield
The energy and emotion at the Honor Ceremony at camp Saturday night
The brand spankin’ new route on Day 3
Experiencing the new Finish Line Festival at Tostitos Championship Plaza at The Star

Aside from the route itself, there are so many wonderful places in the Dallas/Fort Worth area that you can take advantage of if you arrive early or take a few days to stay after you complete your journey. Gayla and Liz recommend…

The Lone Star State has so much to offer, and our coaches know it’s going to be an amazing few days together.

“Savor the moments, every step, each interaction, all the 3-Day love you feel,” says Gina. “Because as the saying goes, ‘It’s the little moments that make life big.’”

But don’t forget to stop and give your coaches a hug ?. They can’t wait to see you all!

A Note About Saturday:

Due to the recent tornadoes in the North Dallas area, we are making changes to the second half of Saturday’s route and do not have the route cards to share with you just yet. We will give you a route card at the Opening Ceremony with the latest route information and the map of your journey will be updated as soon as possible. Please be flexible with staff, crew and city jurisdictions and understand these changes are being made for the safety of our participants as well as out of respect for the communities where homes, businesses and property have been destroyed.