Introducing the 3-Day Series Walkers – Part 3

Anyone who steps up to the challenge of participating in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® is making an incredible commitment. The months spent on fundraising strategy and execution, training plans and schedules, prepping, packing and traveling almost make it feel like the Komen 3-Day is your second job (good thing it’s a job you love!).

That’s why it’s especially remarkable when we meet a walker who makes the extraordinary decision to walk in every 3-Day® event in one year. In the past, there have been one or two walkers each year who dedicate themselves to walking the “full series,” but in 2014, we are honored to have eight amazing people taking on the full series and walking in all seven 3-Day events.

We’ve already introduced you to Nicole H. and Melissa, and Jim and William. Today, we present Stephanie and Karen Kay, and tomorrow we’ll acquaint you with the last (but not least!) two.

Stephanie K.

San Diego Padres mascot the Swinging Friar welcome a smiling Stephanie across the finish line

What’s your name and where are you from? – My name is: Stephanie Kohatsu (stephiek) and I live in Escondido CA (just outside of San Diego).
What is your 3-Day history (how many events have you walked/crewed)? – To date, I have walked 16 events (11 in San Diego) and in SF, DC, Seattle, Philly and Boston and crewed 9 events.
How/why did you first get involved with the 3-Day? – I had always wanted to do the 3-Day as friends were being diagnosed (and my sister-in-law was diagnosed in 1998), but got the courage to take the first step in 2003 and have been forever changed by this event and the people who I have met throughout this journey.
Are you part of any teams in 2014? – Not really….I just walk, talk and meet people along the way!
What made you decide to do all 7 events this year? – Always wanted to do the ‘cycle’ as I met both Jim (Hillman) and Glen DeKeyser who have both done all 14 in one year, and with the elimination of 7 in 2014, this became manageable as I am using my vacation time to do all of the walks.
What are your go-to fundraising strategies? – ASK! Also have been selling my caramels that have become pretty famous on the 3-Day circuit!
What are you looking forward to the most with your walks this year? – To re-unite with my fellow walkers, crew and staff.
Is there anything that you’re nervous about? – Missing the plane to the event cities!
What 3 words would you use to describe the 3-Day? – Best journey EVER!

Karen Kay R.

Karen Kay, still perky and pink after 60 miles

What’s your name and where are you from? – Karen Kay Rush. Born in South Carolina, Air Force brat, spent all my adult life in Phoenix, Arizona.
What is your 3-Day history (how many events have you walked/crewed)? – 2014 Michigan will be my 32nd walk. I have not crewed yet but maybe one day!
How/why did you first get involved with the 3-Day? – When the 3-Day first came to Arizona in 2004, two of my friends and I decided to join in the experience. I have been hooked ever since!
Are you part of any teams in 2014? – My “team” consists of me and my Arizona walking buddy Samantha DeZonia, but even when I walk alone I call myself Lump Busters, which is a name my daughter came up with in 2004 (a take-off of Ghost Busters).
What made you decide to do all 7 events this year? – I had planned on working my way up to walking the entire 3-Day Series, so back in 2008 I added a city each year and I have been adding ever since. I walked 7 last year too!
What are your go-to fundraising strategies? – I primarily rely on my golf tournament (x 6 years now) for most of Sam’s and my fundraising. In addition, I volunteer my time for all of our state’s hockey and football games, as well as some spring training games and concerts. Once a year, a local race track donates $1 for every ticket sold (and they have been doing that for 8 years now).
What are you looking forward to the most with your walks this year? – Meeting new people and hearing their stories and enjoying the sights!
Is there anything that you’re nervous about? – No.
What 3 words would you use to describe the 3-Day? – Inspirational, fun, motivational

Tomorrow, we’ll share introductions to the final two full series walkers! Don’t miss it!

June 2014 Meet-up Round-up!

It’s hard to believe that 2014 is halfway over! Here in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® world, this means that we’re even closer to the start of the event season, and Komen 3-Day walkers and crew members are busy preparing with training walks, meet-ups and clinics. The 3-Day® will be here before we know it! Take a look at some of our local events from June.

Michigan

Members of two of Michigan’s largest teams, The BC Babes and the Hines Pink Pathers, joined forces to get to know each other a little better on a beautiful June training walk.

Twin Cities

Twin Cities walkers came out on June 28th to attend a Packing Workshop held at TC Running Co. in Eden Prairie. They learned some tips to make their 3-Day camping experience easy, comfortable and fun! New friendships were made, tenting partners were found and all enjoyed some delightful discounts off clothing and gear. They are ready to go!

Seattle

The Komen Puget Sound Race for the Cure took place on Sunday, June 1 at Seattle Center. There were over 7,000 participants this year, and 3-Day coaches Aubrey and Jon saw lots of 3-Day faces there. The weather held out and we had a beautiful event with lots of sunshine and plenty of friends.

Atlanta

Stone Mountain Park – the site of the Atlanta 3-Day Opening Ceremony – was the setting for a beautiful morning training walk. Coach Tara enjoyed some company with a great group of motivated ladies who walk there almost every weekend.

We discovered a new Walk & Talk path and some wonderful new walkers to join us. It was a very humid night, but we all made it and even enjoyed getting some training in on the hills.

Dallas/Fort Worth

Coach Gayla rocks her signature selfie at this Walk & Talk in Richardson.

Eight walkers showed up for a Get Prepped Clinic in Rockwell, hosted by our friends at New Balance.

Nothing could dampen the spirits of Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day team Pink Soles in Motion, who trained right through the North Texas flooding rains on June 22^nd. On their walk, they met a young woman who was holding a rummage sale to raise money for her friend who was recently diagnosed. It was a poignant reminder of why they walk.

We had a great casual meet-up with new and veteran walkers at The Londoner in Frisco.

San Diego

Thirty-five wonderful walkers attended a Walk & Talk with Cliff’s Crew and friends in Fullerton.

San Diego 3-Day coach Kim hopped in on a training walk in Daley Ranch. As Kim put it, “Sometimes we just want some dirt under our feet!”

We had a great Walk & Talk in Encinitas – gorgeous day, 6 amazing miles and 15 fabulous people.

Bonus Meet-ups!

Chicagoland – As a special thank you for their dedication to the Susan G. Komen 3-Day, coaches Jennifer and Eileen hosted a Chicagoland 3-Day gathering on Thursday, June 5th in Park Ridge, IL. It was a night of fun, friendship and laughs. We had a wonderful time celebrating with our Chicagoland 3-Day community.

Tampa – Atlanta coach Tara ventured further south to the Sunshine State for a Walk & Talk with some Tampa Bay walkers, including members of Team 211. It was a morning walk along the Bayshore with 20 amazing women, and the morning included a beautiful sunrise, muffins, stingray sightings and a surprise birthday party for Team 211’s captain Sylvia—cake included, of course! Tara shared, “This team really is family, and I was so honored to be welcomed in and even invited back. They are working hard to keep the Tampa walkers engaged and excited to make their travels to other 3-Day cities.”

Looking to find a meet-up in your area? Check out the 3-Day calendar of events here.

The Dallas-Fort Worth 3-Day

Even with a chill in the air, the Texas sun rose on a beautiful Opening Ceremony at the Collin Creek Mall on Friday morning for the start of the 2013 Susan G. Komen Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day. Crew members gathered even earlier than the walkers (in the dark!) to set up and ready themselves for over 1,200 participants who took to the streets, pounding 60 miles of the pavement to raise $3.3 million for breast cancer research and prevention. Participants walked 20.6 miles on the first day with Aldridge Elementary children packing the sidewalks to cheer them on. Richardson’s Fire Department and Police Department were particularly supportive, stopping along the way to cheer and help with street crossings.

Bank of America gathered up a great group of employees to pump up the walkers at Pit Stop 3, which was staffed by local Susan G. Komen affiliate employees. Beautiful weather continued throughout the day as walkers moved from Plano, Richardson, Dallas, and onto to Brookhaven College in Farmers Ranch, the site of camp. The Camp Show at night is a time to be entertained, to recognize those who have gone above and beyond in fundraising and overall commitment to finding a cure, and to hear inspirational messages from survivors. Friday night did not disappoint as Delese Hill-Range gave a touching address, and Cathy Hite was recognized with the Milestone Award for her serious commitment to the cause of fighting breast cancer.

Day 2 started out chilly but exciting as walkers lined up for the opening of the route and the 19.8 miles that awaited them. The New Balance-sponsored cheerleaders from Bishop Lynch Friars cheered the walkers into Pit Stop 2, and participants were greeted with some great trail walking and a huge cheering station sponsored by Susan G. Komen North Texas Affiliate just before some well deserved lunch. A big ‘Thank You’ to the city of Addison for its hospitality on Day 2! On return to camp, walkers retreated to the Bank of America massage chairs and, if needed, to the help of our great Medical Crew. At the Camp Show, co-survivor Burt Lipshie and young survivor Cara Welsh gave fresh perspective on why we continue to fight against breast cancer.

Day 3 started out with big smiles knowing that it would be the final miles before the finish of the event. The Crew helped facilitate a bus drop to the Ursuline Academy where the route opened onto the 16.8-mile course that would take participants through some of the beautiful parks of Dallas and into the city. An anticipatory excitement awaited so many first-time walkers as they neared the finish line in Centennial Park. The cheers of family and friends brought many tears to the walkers who had come so far. An emotional Closing Ceremony outside in great weather at the Fair Park reminded us of the loved ones we have lost. With one shoe held high, participants gave tribute to those breast cancer survivors with us today on the Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day. The crowd danced to “We Are Family” as the Susan G. Komen Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day wrapped up. See you next year in Texas!