The 2024 Susan G. Komen Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day had 625 walkers and 220 crew members who raised $2.2 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 donating $33,000 to the top fundraisers to jump start their 2025 fundraising efforts. Join us in congratulating these teams and individuals for their incredible achievements and contributions!
We kicked off the celebration by recognizing our crew, who raised a combined total of $78,000 at the 2024 Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day! Our Top Individual Crew Fundraiser, Fee P., raised over $5,200 this year at her 21st event in 10 years, with her lifetime total surpassing $50,000. She was rewarded with a $500 donation toward her 2025 Susan G. Komen 3-Day® fundraising thanks to our National Presenting Sponsor, Bank of America!
The Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day Youth Corps showed us that it’s never too early to make a difference, surpassing an outstanding $11,500 in the fight against breast cancer. Our Top Three Youth Corps Fundraisers demonstrated their commitment to spreading awareness and raising funds to end this disease once and for all. Chance J. raised over $1,500 for his second event and will receive a Komen 3-Day branded Hydro Flask as a token of our appreciation and to spread awareness wherever he brings it. First timers Bella D. and Emma G. were also celebrated for raising over $1,400 and $1,000, respectively. We are constantly blown away by Youth Corps’ commitment to the breast cancer cause.
Next up, the incredible Sweep & Shuttle crew was recognized for the more than $14,400 raised by all 24 members captained by Sandra J., making them the Top Crew Fundraising Team.
With our crew accounted for, we continued by celebrating our Rookie of the Year, Vicki E., who entered the Pink Bubble with gusto, raising more than $15,400 for her first 3-Day®! Bank of America gave her a head start on her 2025 fundraising with a $500 donation where we eagerly await seeing her next year! The crowd applauded Vicki for her contributions and tenacity to raise such a tremendous amount of money at her first event. What a way to kick off her Pink Bubble experience!
We then recognized our Top Individual Fundraiser, Stephanie C., for raising more than $67,000. In her sixteen years walking the 3-Day, she has single-handedly raised over $406,000 toward breast cancer research and treatment. This year, Stephanie’s team of two, Tulips for Tatas, was also awarded our Small but Mighty Team Award for raising an incredible $69,700.
We celebrated STEPS, our Top Fundraising Team, whoraised more than $170,000 amongst their 84 team members captained by Sheryl C. and Dana B. In their fifteen years as a team, STEPS has raised an unbelievable $1.9 million at the 3-Day and team captain Sheryl leads every training walk by saying “Let’s go save lives and cure diseases!”
Whatever your fundraising goals for the 2024 Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day, the effort you put in and the funds you raise are essential to ending this disease. On behalf of Bank of America and Susan G. Komen®, thank you for all that you do to help fight breast cancer!
“My mom was more than her diagnosis; she was a beacon of strength, love, and compassion to everyone who knew her.
“At just 34 years old, she discovered a small lump during a self-examination and was diagnosed with breast cancer. Despite the fear and uncertainty, she faced her mastectomy and six months of chemotherapy with courage, all while caring for my 6-year-old sister and me, a 2½-year-old, and supporting my dad. Her strength and resilience saw her through, and after treatment, she was declared cancer-free and entered remission.
“True to her giving nature, once she regained her strength, my mom began volunteering at Victory in the Valley in Wichita, Kansas, helping other women navigate their own battles with breast cancer. However, in her fourth year of remission, the devastating news came: her cancer had returned.
“For five more years, my mom faced this relentless disease with grace, undergoing six different treatment protocols. She lost her hair and nails, but never her spirit. Even as a nurse, fully aware of the uphill battle she faced, she focused on teaching my sister and me about life, ensuring that we felt as normal and loved as possible despite her struggle.
“On November 2, 2000, at just 44 years old, my mom passed away. While she is no longer with us physically, her legacy of strength, kindness, and unwavering love lives on through my sister and me. We strive every day to carry forward the values she instilled in us, honoring the extraordinary woman who taught us what it means to live fully, love deeply, and persevere through even the most difficult challenges.”
“My friend, Sonia, is a survivor. She asked me to join her in this experience and I couldn’t be more grateful to have walked alongside her and our incredible team, STEPS. Being surrounded by such inspirational people—men and women who have given years of their lives to this cause—was deeply moving. Walking alongside people who were on their 36th walk or were tackling all four events this year was remarkable. It left me feeling like I’ll never be able to let a year go by without being involved in some way. Whether walking, cheering, or volunteering, I know I want to be part of this incredible community. Seeing the strength and resilience of the survivors and hearing their stories made a profound impact on my heart. Their courage is something I’ll carry with me always.”
The Pink Bubble traded their cowboy boots for walking shoes as we headed to the Lone Star State for the Susan G. Komen Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day. From November 1-3,625 walkers and 220 crew members raised a total of $2.2 million for breast cancer research, community health, patient care and advocacy.
Day 1
Walkers began at the Opening Ceremony where we welcomed our new Susan G. Komen 3-Day® host, Beverly Kruse, a breast cancer survivor. Karen D. shared her incredible story as a 44-year-old breast cancer survivor following her diagnosis in April 2024. She is walking in honor of herself, her aunt who passed away from the disease, her friend who is a six-year thriver, and in hope that her stepdaughters and niece never have to hear those four daunting words “you have breast cancer.” “It’s the least I can do for all women and girls,” she shared. Following, Kelley H. shared that in 2004 her best friend Kim was diagnosed with breast cancer, saying, “I remember her son asked one time ‘Why do you have to have cancer?’ and she said ‘Why not? Why not me?’” So, when Kim asked Kelley to walk in 2007, she quickly said yes, walking every year since. In 2014, Kim was diagnosed again, this time with metastatic breast cancer and with her grit and determination she underwent rigorous treatments and participated in countless clinical trials. Ten years later, at the 2024 Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day, Kim walked as a thriver hand-in-hand with her best friend Kelley, who sported a stunning bedazzled cane. Both Karen and Kim joined the sea of survivors and thrivers to lead the way out on the route across the Mohawk Flooring Pink Carpet.
Throughout the day, walkers got to experience an abundance of what the city has to offer as they passed by the JFK Memorial, the Giant Eyeball sculpture, and T. Boone Pickins Cancer Center, a prominent cancer treatment and research center where groundbreaking medical advancements are achieved. Pit stops were decked out with themes from Ducks to Toy Story, where walkers were greeted with all of Andy’s favorite toys, a photo booth, and music reminding us that we’ve all got a friend in the Pink Bubble! As they continued their journey, walkers got to pass by the stunning White Rock Lake and Cattle Drive Sculptures, before returning to camp to rest their feet and enjoy all that Bank of America brings to the Komen 3-Day!
The beloved Bank of America massage chairs were a hit as we geared up for the Celebration of Champions where our National Presenting Sponsor awarded our Top Fundraisers, Milestone Award Winner, and Crew Impact Award Winners with donations of up to $500 for their 2025 3-Day® fundraising. They also hosted a raffle where five Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day participants won $250 toward their 2025 fundraising efforts; talk about generous! To wrap up the evening our 3-Day hosts Beverly and Lori taught a dance before walkers and crew rested up for the next day!
Day 2
After enjoying a delicious breakfast and welcoming our 2-Day Walkers, the Pink Bubble went mobile as we hopped aboard buses to Fort Worth. Our Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day Ultimate Event Experience winner, Jessica M., led the way, accompanied by her 17-year-old daughter Gianna, who reminds us of the next generation we walk for. During the qualifying period, Jessica raised over $7,000 with a good old fashioned bake sale!
Once in Fort Worth, walkers were able to enjoy the Meg and May Mural, Fort Worth Water Gardens, and Sundance Square Plaza before being greeted by a large cheering station outside of Paddock Park. Here, walkers were welcomed by 4-year-old Aspen who was working hard to draw in chalk and hand out lollipops to walkers who passed by. With a sweet treat in hand, they could play a bit of hopscotch and receive a rating from one of our supporters; everyone seemed to get a perfect 10/10! Another supportive family had flown in from all over the country to cheer on walkers, including their loved ones. Walkers continued toward the Museum District where, outside of the National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame, the beloved father/son duo of Moose and Dan cheered on every single walker. With big smiles on their faces, walkers made their way toward the Raining Tacos Mural and TCU Campus before hopping aboard a 3-Day bus back to camp.
Once returned to camp, walkers were greeted by Youth Corps, crew, and supporters who cheered them straight to the buffet where they could get a hearty helping of mac ’n’ cheese. We welcomed back our last walker before Youth Corps kicked off the Honor Ceremony by sharing their reason for participating. After speeches from two participants, the entire room lit candles and wrote on luminaria bags to honor those who they walk for, placing each reason for walking in front of the stage. With a sea of light shimmering in the dark, we remembered that this is why we walk; because we must.
Day 3
After departing the hotel, walkers passed through Dealey Plaza, known as the “birthplace of Dallas,” the unassuming brick-paved square that has borne witness to many pivotal moments in Dallas and American history. From here, walkers were able to get a glimpse of the House of Blues, Oak Lawn Rainbow Gateway Sign and Legacy of Love Monument, and Pay It No Mind mural. We met with an XPO employee, Turstacy, who was a 1-Day Walker walking in honor of her mother, a breast cancer survivor, and for everyone else. Though she arrived alone for her very first 3-Day, she quickly made friends in true Pink Bubble fashion!
As walkers continued along the route, the skies opened up and participants were instructed to shelter in place for their safety for a bit until the storm passed. As the sun began poking back out, walkers passed through the AT&T Discovery District as they made their final strides into the Finish Line Festival at Reunion Lawn, boasting a stunning view of the Dallas skyline. As we welcomed in all of our walkers, everyone was able to enjoy the festivities including a photo at the Nature’s Bounty wings, free samples, and a chance to meet Marnie, the artist who designed the booth and bags gifted to the participants.
As our last walkers came in, the Pink Bubble gathered to cheer them on until the Last Walker Flag was raised. The Closing Ceremony began and we welcomed our incredible crew before raising our shoes to celebrate and honor the survivors and thrivers who joined us over the last few days. United in spirit, it was revealed that the 2024 Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day raised an outstanding $2.2 million in the fight against breast cancer, prompting a well-deserved dance party to close out the tremendous event.
Thank you to everyone who made the 2024 Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day what it was, and we can’t wait to see you back next year!
