Tag Archives: Fundraising

3-Day Superheroes

We wanted to recognize those in the Pink Bubble who continue to show their outstanding commitment, support and care as part of each 3-Day they participate in. We asked our 3-Day coaches and staff to highlight someone, whether walker or crew, who goes above and beyond the call to action. That is what being a 3-Day superhero is all about.

Superhero Barbara:  

Barbara’s adventurous spirit is a gift to our 3-Day community. She has participated in 17 events and continues to be up for any opportunity of contributing to help make the event a success. Most recently, Barbara stepped in at the last minute and served on the San Diego Youth Corps Leadership Team. Barbara continues to sprinkle her love and make an impact on everyone she touches in our 3-Day community. I hope you get the chance to meet Barbara this season, she will brighten your day!  

What inspires you to go above and beyond for this cause?  
In 1971 at the age of 21, I lost my dear Aunt Judy. Back then it was a disease that no one spoke about or had the knowledge or resources that we have today to fight. I knew then that I wanted to do something to help bring awareness, but back in the ’70s it fell on deaf ears. After my diagnosis of breast cancer, 40 years later, I pledged that as long as I am alive and healthy, I will do whatever I can to support finding the cures. 

Superhero Karen: 

Karen is an inspiration in many ways, but her goal this year to secure a donation for every single day on the calendar is so far above and beyond that it is definitely superhero status! Karen’s outside-the-box thinking is helping her to fundraise for four 3-Day events this year. Besides walking a LOT, Karen keeps herself busy these days creating a beautiful handmade quilt, which she intends to gift in a drawing to her donors. Donors are invited to donate what they can, be it their coffee or lunch money for the day. And when someone donates $20 or more, they earn the right to have their name added to a day on her calendar. Many donate in honor of someone who is fighting breast cancer or someone who has passed. The goal is to have a name on each and every day of her calendar. Go Karen; you’ve got this! 

What is your connection to breast cancer? 

The year after my first 3-Day, my sister was diagnosed with breast cancer, so I continue to walk in her honor. Before my mom passed, she told me how very proud she was of me for making such a difference in the world. 

What inspires you to go above and beyond? 

I started walking in 2007 after a personal health scare that had me homebound for four months. Being stuck at home and feeling unwell was extremely hard and gave me renewed respect for those who undergo chemo. As soon as I was able, I began to walk — because I could. I had heard of the 3-Day and it became my goal. These days I keep myself motivated by signing up for a variety of walking challenges and the 3-Day has become my passion! Walking in San Diego in 2021 after missing my 3-Day family for more than a year, felt like my first 3-Day — the excitement, the friends, the love! 

As the saying goes, “not all superheroes wear capes.” Some wear pink. Thank you to all of you who show insurmountable support and commitment to finding the cures to breast cancer! 

Summer Fundraising Ideas

Summer is right around the corner which means plenty of opportunities to get up, get outside and have some fun—all for a good cause! Here are some fundraising ideas to get you closer to your goal.  

  1. Put in Miles on the Longest Day of the Year 

Take advantage of the longest day of the year and pledge to walk your longest training walk on Tuesday, June 21st. Because it’s a weekday, you may have to break it up into a few walks that day. Share your mileage on social media and encourage people in your network to sponsor each mile. Take it a step farther and choose a theme for your miles! Miles 1-3, superhero-themed. Miles 4-6, 90s-themed, and so on! Bonus: Go live on social media during your walk to thank donors for all their support! 

  1. Host a Garage or Book Sale  

Time for a summer refresh? Clear out your clutter and put it up for sale. You can host a sale by yourself or with a group of friends with all proceeds going towards your 3-Day fundraising efforts. Make signage and put out a donation bowl so attendees know you are raising money for a great cause!  

  1. Get Sporty 

Play ball! Turn your hobby into a fundraising event. Whether you play baseball (host a Home Run Derby), basketball (host a 3-on-3 tournament), tennis or pickleball (try a round robin tourney), or enjoy indoor sports like bowling (highest score wins), there’s an option for everyone. There are plenty of online resources to help you create and structure your event. Once planned, post on community boards like the Nextdoor app to spread the word.  

Not interested in team sports? Host a charity fitness class at a gym or studio! Cycling, dancing, or HIIT, the options are endless and oh so fun.  

  1. Ready, Set, Bake! 

Do people beg you for your chocolate chip cookie recipe? Or maybe your signature brownies? Share the love and offer to bake a treat for every donation you receive above $100. Take it a step further and let donors choose between 2-3 options as a thank you for donating to your fundraising efforts.  

  1. Share Thanks on Social Media 

Choose a period of time where every donor at $50 or above gets a special shout-out on your social media channels! Share a post about how much you love them, a funny photo of you together or a favorite memory you have. You can get even more creative and offer to make up a song or dance, or do a drawing for your biggest donors. You don’t have to be good at any of those things—it’s even funnier if you’re not! It’s a fun way to make your donors feel special!  

  1. Use our Social Fundraising Toolkit 

Are you looking for more ways to fundraise on social media, or maybe need some help finding the right ways to ask for donations? We’ve got you covered with this new social fundraising toolkit! You can find awesome tips, images and fill-in-the-blank prompts to get you at and above your fundraising goal, all right here: The Susan G. Komen 3-Day Social Fundraising Toolkit (the3day.org) 

Don’t see something that could work for you? Use these ideas as a starting point to help brainstorm how you could incorporate fundraising into your summer plans. Remember, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming! Every dollar adds up. As always, reach out to your 3-Day coach at any time for more support or take to your city’s Facebook group to get advice from your fellow participants!  

Themed Training Walk Ideas

With a rigorous and consistent training schedule, we know it can be hard to get motivated and get walking. We’ve compiled a list of themed training walk ideas to help put some fun into training and get the Pink Bubble hyped up for the 2022 3-Day Series! 

  1. Spice Girls 

Flash back to the 90s and “spice” up your training walks by having a Spice Girls-themed training walk! Encourage your friends and teammates to dress up as their favorite Spice Girl and blast their albums to get moving! 

  1. ’70s 

Get groovy with a 1970’s-themed training walk! Break out some (comfortable) bell bottoms, colored sunglasses and put together your favorite tunes from the ’70s to bust a move to out on your walk (maybe leave the platforms at home, though)! 

  1. Western 

Break out that cowboy hat (doubles as sun protection), play some George Strait out of your portable speaker and hit the road! Add some bolo ties and turquoise to your walking apparel for an extra flare, and maybe throw on a John Wayne movie when you get home. 

  1. Roaring 20’s 

Make 2022 your own version of the roaring 20’s with an awesome themed training walk! Choose which direction you’d like to take between Gatsby, prohibition, or wear some pearls and headbands as walking flapper girls! 

  1. Bubbles 

Have a bubble party while you’re out walking! Bring a small tube of bubbles and blowers for each person and spread some Pink Bubble love while you’re out putting in those miles! 

  1. Disney 

Dress up as your favorite Disney characters, play some Disney songs and get down to business with your training! Gather your team when you’re done and have a mad tea party. 

  1. Luau 

As summer approaches, get in gear with Hawaiian shirts, big straw hats and some calming ukulele tunes. Add some leis and puka shells for an extra flair and finish the walk with a nice cold beverage (put a tiny umbrella in your sports drink ?)! 

  1. Mardi Gras 

Get decked out in purple, green and gold for a Mardi-gras themed training walk and make sure to have everyone wear beads! Fuel up after the walk with some crawfish ? or beignets! 

  1. Star Wars 

Walk in style as your favorite Star Wars character! Pretend your water bottle is a light saber and use the force to help you get up some hills. 

  1. Pink Party 

Are you so excited that you just can’t wait to be on the 3-Day? Get decked out in 3-Day gear from Shop Komen and display your pink for the world to see! Complete the day with a carbo-load of a 3-Day favorite, the Mac & Cheese! 

Have you done any themed training walks? Share your ideas in the comments below, and let us know if you use any of our ideas by taking pictures and tagging us on social media.