Tag Archives: Fundraising

Robyn B.’s 3-Day Journey

1 in 8 women in the US are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime, and it hits even closer to home when your friends, family or members of your community are diagnosed with breast cancer. Black women in the U.S. are about 40 percent more likely to die from breast cancer than white women. Susan G. Komen® is focused on reducing those inequities. Susan G. Komen is focused on achieving health equity in the black community. Statements and opinions expressed are that of the individual and do not express the views or opinions of Susan G. Komen. This information is being provided for educational purposes only and is not to be construed as medical advice. Persons with breast cancer should consult their health care provider with specific questions or concerns about their treatment. 

What is your connection to breast cancer?  

I have several friends who either had breast cancer or passed away from breast cancer. I also have a friend who worked on breast cancer research at Morehouse College; ironically, as she began this work, her sister was diagnosed with breast cancer. That was over 40 years ago, and she is still here with us today. 

Why are you choosing to participate in the 3-Day?  

I believe that too many women, especially African American women, are not diagnosed early enough or have enough information about breast cancer. Regular screening tests (along with follow-up tests and treatment, if diagnosed) reduce the chance of dying from breast cancer. 

I heard you raised $3,000 in only a week! How did you manage to do this? 

I am surprised but it really did not take long. I requested permission from a friend’s husband (she passed away in 2019) to walk in her honor. Her daughter wrote a passionate blurb about what kind of person her mom was, and I included this statement in my pleas for donations. I sent emails to EVERYONE that I had an email address for and I sent follow-up text messages to assure that they looked for an email from me about the 3-Day. I also emphasized that I am trying to complete my fundraising as soon as possible so I can concentrate on the training. I encouraged them to donate while it was on their mind because this may not be on their priority list, and they may forget. Maybe it’s the phase of life we are in (retirement), but it was FAR easier to get people to respond and send in a donation. Also, many people that I know have been touched in some way by breast cancer ? either in their family or among their friends and neighbors. I pointed out how their donation will be used and that it is tax deductible. 

What are you most looking forward to about the 3-Day?  

I’m looking forward to walking with survivors and other participants. The common goals and camaraderie that we experience are great motivators. I am also looking forward to the fitness benefits for me and experiencing the beauty of San Diego. 

Do you have a favorite moment from the 3-Day that you’ll always remember?  

The excitement and constant smiles that are shown by the crew members, the survivors, other walkers, and the observers along the sidelines are moments I will always remember.   

What was your experience like the first time you participated in the 3-Day? How did your experience change when you came back to walk it again?  

The first time I did the 3-Day, the hardest part was raising funds and meeting the minimum requirement to participate. Maybe it was the phase of life me and my donors were in, (still raising children, making mortgage payments, etc.) but it was much easier this time. I raised the minimum amount in record time. Also, the walk was different between the first time I walked in Atlanta and the second time I walked in San Diego because San Diego has a lot more hills than Atlanta, and thus, much harder. For some odd reason, I did not expect that. 

Are you a part of a team or do you walk solo?  

I walk solo. I do live in Georgia, not California, so I have no one to walk with. I did recently go to the Spring Into the 3-Day event in Atlanta though, and I met many other walkers from Georgia who will be walking in San Diego, so I hope to stay in touch with them and meet up with them in San Diego! 

What advice are you seeking from veteran walkers? 

I’d love advice on other fundraising ideas! I am also seeking encouragement to walk again.   

Do you have any words of encouragement or great fundraising tactics you’d like to share with Robyn? Leave a comment below! And don’t forget to register for a 2022 3-Day at The3Day.org. 

Three Easy Fundraising Ideas

With less than six months until the first 2022 Susan G. Komen 3-Day®, time is flying by to reach your fundraising goals. Here are three easy fundraising ideas to either help get you started or push you past your goal! 

  1. Ask Everyone 

Though it may seem obvious, asking everyone is the key. Donors give simply because they were asked. Start with friends and family! Tell everyone your story, why you’re participating in the 3-Day and what this cause means to you. When people understand why something is important to you, it may become important to them, too, and a donation is an easy way for them to make a difference. They want to support you. Once you’ve asked everyone you know, try asking those you don’t know as well. If you’re going on a training walk, wear pink and try to spark conversation with people along your route. Tell them what you’re training for and the impact that Susan G. Komen® is making. Then ask for a donation! It may seem uncomfortable, but the worst anyone can say is “no.” 

  1. Facebook Fundraiser 

Creating a Facebook Fundraiser is one of the quickest and easiest ways to bring in donations. So many 3-Day participants have met and exceeded their fundraising goal just by creating and sharing their Facebook Fundraiser! By creating one, you can reach all your friends on Facebook without having to necessarily reach out to them all individually. And then they can share your fundraiser with their friends, to expand your circle of potential donors. Take the time to personalize your Facebook Fundraiser with a message about why you’re walking, what this cause means to you, and the importance of these lifesaving funds. Put that message above the Facebook Fundraiser when you post and share it, so it adds a personal touch. If you have created a fundraiser and have noticed the donations slowing down, don’t be afraid to reshare it multiple times! People may have forgotten about it, and when they see it pop up on their timeline again, it will remind them to donate. You may even get a second donation from someone who donated to you before! 

  1. Create a QR Code 

QR codes are a great way to provide easy access to your personal fundraising page. Create your own personalized QR code and link it to your personal page! This way, when someone scans your QR code, they’re directed straight to your page and can make a donation. This makes it very easy to gather donations no matter where you are! You can also create another QR code that links to your Facebook Fundraiser. Create a business card and put your QR code on it with any other information you’d like to add and make a bunch of copies. This way, when you’re out on training walks or out in public, you can hand out these cards to people you may not have been able to reach via email, letter or social media! 

You can get a QR code that links directly to your personal page at The3Day.org/QR. And you can create other QR codes that can link to anything ? your Facebook fundraiser or any other URL ? at a free site like https://www.qrcode-monkey.com. 

Fundraising can be intimidating or overwhelming, but there are a lot of tools to help. Try one of the ideas above or reach out to your 3-Day coach at any time for more support. 

The Youth Corps Experience

If you’ve participated in a Susan G. Komen 3-Day ® before, you know how impactful the Youth Corps is to the entire 3-Day experience. Getting involved in the fight against breast cancer from a young age helps secure futures for this generation and the next. We asked top 2021 Youth Corps fundraiser, Gianna K., to tell her story and what the Youth Corps means to her. 

What is your connection to breast cancer? 

Unfortunately, I’ve had a lot of family members affected by breast cancer. My mom, my three aunts, my grandma, and my two great grandmas were all diagnosed and all survived breast cancer. I want to raise money so no one else has to deal with what they went through, and so no other family has to go through what my family and so many other families had to. 

How and when did you get involved with the Susan G. Komen 3-Day ®? 

After my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018, she walked her first Susan G. Komen 3-Day in San Diego to help raise money for the cause. I was there to support her when she walked in 2018 and in 2019. In 2019 I cheered her on along the route, and the atmosphere inspired me to join the Youth Corps. I wanted to be a part of the 3-Day in any way that I could. I was too young to register as a walker, but I found out that I could be part of the Youth Corps to help with this amazing cause. Everyone had so much energy and spirit and I wanted to be a part of it. I wanted to help motivate and support the walkers on their 60-mile journey. 

You raised $3,547 for the 2021 3-Day. What inspired you to raise so much more than the minimum fundraising requirement? [Youth Corps members commit to raising at least $500 as part of their participation.] 

What inspired me to raise more than the minimum requirement is that I know this money helps so many people and goes towards ending breast cancer forever. Raising money is one way I can help to find the cures for breast cancer, so I want to help as much as I can. 

If someone is considering joining the Youth Corps, what words of encouragement or advice would you give them? 

If anyone is thinking about being involved with the 3-Day Youth Corps, I would 100% encourage them to join. I had so much fun and met so many new, amazing people over the three days I was there. I made lifelong friends and memories that I will never forget. It is so much fun to cheer everyone on because the walkers need our encouragement and motivation to keep them going. While cheering the walkers on, seeing their faces light up when they saw us made me realize what an impact we are having. All the walkers joined in our cheers and were so enthusiastic with us. It is an experience I will never forget, and I will never forget the feeling of making all those people so happy. 

What is your favorite part of the Youth Corps? 

My favorite part of Youth Corps was meeting new people and being able to have fun with them. We had the best time dancing to music while cheering on the walkers. We would sing, jump around and be enthusiastic together. I loved seeing how happy my friends and I made the walkers, and I know that we experienced this amazing feeling together. 

Do you plan to walk the 3-Day some day? 

I will be eligible to walk in the 2022 3-Day and I do plan on walking. Again, the atmosphere is incredible and so fun to be a part of! 

Are you interested in learning more about the Youth Corps? Do you know someone between ages 10-16 who might be interested in applying? Visit The3Day.org/youthcorps to learn more about involving the next generation in the 3-Day experience. There are a limited number of spots on the Youth Corps and we always have more interested candidates than we can accommodate, so we have an application process. Youth Corps applications are now open.