November Pink Bubble Story of the Month – Debra E.

Every year, thousands of philanthropic individuals come together in cities across the country to walk 20, 40, or 60 miles, united by a common goal—making a significant impact in the fight against breast cancer. Amongst those in the ocean of pink this year was Debra E., a breast cancer survivor who participated in her first ever 3-Day this year in Denver, both as a crew member and 1-Day walker. We met with Debra who shared her personal journey, reflecting on how this experience deeply touched her heart.

Last year, Debra heard about the 3-Day on a Facebook post which prompted her to become involved with Susan G. Komen both locally and with the 3-Day. Inspired by her own survivorship, her grandmother and several close friends who have battled breast cancer, she decided to participate in the 2022 Susan G. Komen Denver More Than Pink Walk. Having loved her experience at that event, she signed up for the 3-Day to further contribute to the cause.

As a first-time 3-Dayer and combination crew member and walker, Debra was unsure of what to expect, but was blown away by her experience. She was able to make friends with both crew and walkers, so while walking on Day 3, crew members that she met in days prior were cheering her on along the route and at the finish line. Recounting her first-time laying eyes on the sea of people who were all there to support survivors, thrivers, and those walking for loved ones that could not, the feeling was indescribable. “Everyone had a smile and supportive words, and it was so infectious,” she shared. “Walking was a very supportive experience. Even when I struggled because I had a knee injury, I was still getting encouragement and support from everyone in the Pink Bubble!”

Participating in the 3-Day necessitates both physical and mental preparation. To adequately prepare for the monumental event, Debra took advice that veteran walkers shared on the Facebook pages and during the online Social Hours. She went on training walks and fundraised through social media and by emailing everyone she could think of.

Debra recalls her favorite moments of the Denver 3-Day meeting the incredible walkers and crew members, and that seeing her loved ones as she crossed the finish line was particularly humbling. Her advice to anyone who is hesitant to sign up is “Just do it! It may sound very daunting, but I expect that you will get caught up in the excitement and won’t even notice the miles go by.” Having loved her experience at the 3-Day, Debra has signed up to crew/walk the 2024 Denver and crew San Diego 3-Day.

It’s people like Debra who make the 3-Day possible and such a rewarding experience. It is about so much more than walking, but coming together to do something challenging as we raise funds to advance breast cancer research, treatment, and awareness. In Debra’s very own words, “We [walk to] raise money so that we can eradicate breast cancer FOREVER!”

See previous Pink Bubble Story of the Month blog posts here.

Thank You to Our Top Fundraisers of the 2023 Denver 3-Day!

The 2023 Susan G. Komen Denver 3-Day boasted 700 walkers and 250 crew members who collectively contributed $1.9 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 ceremony by recognizing our Rookie of the Year, Terry W., who raised $13,997.60 for her first ever 3-Day! The crowd applauded her for her contributions as she posed for a picture with Bank of America’s very own Kim Hamstead and Cynthia Solis who delivered Terry a $500 donation to kick off her 2024 fundraising where we hope to see her on her second 3-Day!

Julie C. was then recognized as our Top Individual Fundraiser for raising $26,331.37 and was also rewarded by Bank of America with a $500 donation for her 2024 3-Day fundraising. For the past eighteen years, she has walked and raised a collective $336,985.51 to fund breast cancer research and treatment. Julie is also captain of The Keepers, our Small but Mighty Team award winner whose team raised $33,847.70 this year with just three team members. Bank of America awarded Julie with an additional $500 donation and her teammates received $60 to kick-start their 2024 fundraising.

The Top Fundraising Team was our largest team, The AwareWolves, who raised $63,661.80 amongst their 21 members. The whole crowd gave a celebratory wolf howl as team captain Linda L. accepted her $500 donation courtesy of Bank of America and her 20 teammates were awarded with $60 toward their 2024 fundraising. In their eleven years as a team, the AwareWolves have raised a roaring $503,711.10 toward finding the cures for breast cancer.

With our walkers accounted for, it was time to congratulate our crew who raised $75,403.55 in the Mile High City! Our Top Individual Crew Fundraiser from Pit Stop 2, Mark N., was honored for the $5,001.40 he raised this year on his 21^st event, with a lifetime contribution of $82,742.18. Speaking of crew teams, our Top Fundraising Crew Team captained by Julie S. and Michele O. raised $12,885.32!

We then honored our youngest fundraisers from the Denver 3-Day Youth Corps who collectively raised $13,958.74! Mollee M. participated in her fourth 3-Day and raised $1,862.80 this year, making her this event’s Top Youth Corps Fundraiser. We are so grateful for and proud of our Youth Corps who continually remind us of the future we’re striving to improve.

Whether you were a top fundraiser or hit your own fundraising goals for the 2023 Denver 3-Day, the work that you do and the funds that you raise are ever important. On behalf of Bank of America and Susan G. Komen, thank you for all that you do to help fight breast cancer.

Meet the 2023 Denver 3-Day Crew Impact Award Winner, Amy N.!

Meet Amy N., our Denver Crew Impact Award Winner!

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

In 2006, a few months after completing my treatment for breast cancer, I was starting to look for a way to be a part of finding the cures. I saw a commercial for the 3-Day on TV, dragged my husband, Mark, to an info meeting, and we were both hooked! Now we can’t imagine not being on event.

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

We keep coming back because the fight continues, and we must be a part of it. But equally important, it’s the people who bring us back. The first-time walkers who drag themselves into the Closing Ceremony, the young kids cheering on their loved ones, the crew going above and beyond (mostly behind the scenes) to make this an experience the walkers will never forget, and the survivors giving their all (often while still undergoing treatment themselves), so that someday others won’t have to go through this fight.

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

My favorite part is being able to give back to this community whose efforts helped make it possible for me to beat this monster. Crewing is my way to say thank you to the walkers! I love being able to interact with so many people from different walks of life who are all working toward one goal.

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

Take time to soak it all in! The nature of the event is that there are a lot of “hurry up and wait” situations, but when it is go-time, the minutes and hours will fly by before you know it! At some point you will probably wonder why you got yourself into this, but then you’ll get a chance to make a difference for someone and it will all be worth it. Also, be prepared to start early in the morning.

What’s a fun fact about you?

My heart will always bleed green for Michigan State, but I live in the University of Michigan Wolverine territory, and I still proudly fly my Spartan flag! Also, I often say that I have one purpose on this earth: to make everyone around me feel tall! And I do it really, really well.

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

I’ve learned that friendships made on the 3-Day will last a lifetime. People you never would have encountered in your normal life become so important to you. You may only see them once a year, but you will pick up right where you left off last time. Obviously, this event is about beating breast cancer, but it is also about people coming together to create a community. We don’t call it the pink bubble for nothing!