Congratulations to our 2024 Denver 3-Day Top Fundraisers!

The 2024 Susan G. Komen Denver 3-Day had 700 walkers and 220 crew members who raised $2.3 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 $99,000 at the 2024 Denver 3-Day! Our Top Individual Crew Fundraiser, Alison G., raised over $3,700 this year at her 31^st event, with her lifetime total surpassing $75,000. 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! Next up, the incredible Hotel crew was recognized for the more than $10,000 raised by all 36 members captained by Clay R., making them the Top Crew Fundraising Team.

The Denver 3-Day Youth Corps showed us that it’s never too early to make a difference, surpassing an outstanding $13,000 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. Finnegan B. raised over $1,500 by the fundraising deadline (and at the time of publishing this blog , he’s surpassed $2,000!) at his first 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 Baily S. and Liora N. were also celebrated for raising over a commendable $1,400 and $760, respectively. We are constantly blown away by Youth Corps’ commitment to the breast cancer cause.

With our crew accounted for, we continued by celebrating our Rookie of the Year, Dawn S., a breast cancer survivor who entered the Pink Bubble with gusto, raising more than $5,300 for her first 3-Day®! Bank of America then gave her a head start on her 2025 fundraising with a $500 donation. The crowd applauded Dawn for her contributions and tenacity to raise such a tremendous amount of money at her first event. We hope to see her back in the Pink Bubble next year!

We then recognized our Top Individual Fundraiser, Laura P., for raising more than $57,000 who, in her four years walking the 3-Day, has single-handedly raised over $176,000 toward breast cancer research and treatment. This year, Laura formed a team, Miles for a Cure, co-captained by Mary Ann I., which was awarded our Small but Mighty Team Award and Top Fundraising Team Award as their trio raised more than $94,500 in their first year as a team.

Whatever your fundraising goals for the 2024 Denver 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!

Denver Milestone Award Winner: Rina W.

Meet Rina W., our 2024 Denver 3-Day Milestone Award Winner!

Since her first 3-Day 16 years ago, Rina has walked 18 times and has raised more than $177,000. The team that she captains, Angels 4 Angels, is part of the Lifetime Commitment Circle, having raised more than $1.6 million to date. Her Denver-based teammates have also been instrumental in the work they’ve done ensuring the success of the Susan G. Komen Denver 3-Day!

“Rina is my mentor and role model in determination, persistence, passion and kindness. Her youngest sister and my friend, Lori, died of breast cancer way too young. Through the tragedy of her loss, Angels 4 Angels was founded in 2007 and because of Rina, Angels 4 Angels continues to be a top fundraising team year after year, and she is always a top individual fundraiser. Her own battles with both uterine cancer and breast cancer have not stopped her from steadfastly working and walking to end breast cancer. I am proud to be her friend and thrilled to have Rina receive the Milestone Award in my adopted city of Denver.” —Sue R.

What was your inspiration to participate in your first Komen 3-Day???

In 2007, friends in our community decided to walk in memory of three young women who had recently lost their battles with breast cancer, one of whom was my fifty-year-old sister Lori. Our team is Angels 4 Angels, which includes all others as a fourth Angel.

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

I have not stopped participating. My mother, children, grandchildren, and nieces have walked and/or been on the Youth Corps.

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

Many people in my circle associate me with the 3-Day, so they continue supporting the walk financially. Additionally, I have organized Worship in Pink at my synagogue for a Shabbat program annually for 17 years. My teammates and congregants who are survivors participate and we remember those we have lost.

What’s a fun fact about you?

Things I enjoy doing are volunteering at the food bank, needle arts, travel, and spending time with my grandchildren and great-granddaughter.

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

I have learned from the 3-Day that one person can make an impact.

Denver Crew Impact Award Winner: Carolyn H.

Meet Carolyn H., our 2024 Denver Crew Impact Award Winner!

Since her first Susan G. Komen 3-Day® 14 years ago, Carolyn has participated 27 times and has raised a lifetime total of over $20,000. Not only is she one of the most selfless individuals you may ever meet, but she does it all as a thriver with the hope of creating a future without breast cancer.

“Within the Pink Bubble there lies a special glue which makes us shine a little brighter, lifts us up a bit higher, and brings grace to everything surrounding us; this glue is Carolyn. She is the best of the Komen 3-Day, and her compassion and kindness are legendary. She is there for all of us, all the time, and manages her teams with a savvy style and a unique, joy-filled spirit. Carolyn is a true asset to everyone here, especially me, and the world truly is a better place with her in it. We are a better event with her as a part of it, and I can’t imagine my world or the Pink Bubble without her.” —Kit L.

What was your inspiration to participate in your first 3-Day®???

I was asked by my friend Mary M. to co-captain a sweep team for the Denver event in 2010. I had no idea what the 3-Day was, let alone a sweep team, but I was game to learn and looking forward to spending time with Mary. That was it; I have been hooked on the Pink Bubble ever since. The people, the atmosphere, the stories of survival as well as the tributes for those who didn’t survive.

Although I am a thriver of breast cancer, I do not do this for me or that recognition; I do it so others, including my children and yours, won’t have to walk down that same breast cancer path. I have seen in the past 25 years great strides in the diagnosis, treatment and survival rate for breast cancer and how it trickles down to other cancers as well.

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

The people and the positive culture of the 3-Day; that Pink Bubble, as they say! I have the most incredible friendships with so many people I have met along the way including walkers, crew and staff. These people are my family, (especially my “Sistas” Mary & Janet) and if they need me for anything, I’m there at their beck and call and vice versa. I call the 3-Day the great equalizer; EVERYONE at the event is there to support, cheer, hug, and give love to everyone else. There is no distinction between our many differences. It’s how we want the world to be.

What is your favorite aspect of crewing the 3-Day?

I love helping walkers and my crew team to have the best experience of their life by giving them encouragement, understanding, and a lot of fun. Knowing I brought a smile or a sense of belonging to someone’s day is the best reward and I’m perfectly happy being behind the scenes.

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

Be you, let go, and remember you are in a safe place. Have fun, be silly, cry, cheer, hug, and make a new friend each day; I can guarantee they will be lifelong friendships. Again, everyone is there for you, and you are there for them. Also, keep a Sharpie in your pocket, wear closed-toed shoes and a wide mouth water bottle is your friend as well.

What’s a fun fact about you?

Anyone on my crew team knows that singing is not my hidden talent, but that doesn’t stop me. I also grew up on a farm/ranch in Nebraska, ergo I learned how to double clutch tractors, combines and grain trucks. Although I now live in Denver, my husband and I have ownership in a herd of bison in Nebraska.

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

I’ve learned a lot about leadership and teamwork including how to be flexible and handle unforeseen circumstances. I’ve learned that each person has their own individual journey they must travel, and I must be understanding, compassionate and accepting of that journey.

“At this moment, you are probably trying to slide into the background. But let the light shine on you for a few minutes just as your light has shined brightly for the 3-Day for many years.” —John H.

Congratulations, Carolyn! We are honored to have you as part of our Pink Bubble family.