Tag Archives: Fundraising

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 31st 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. 

Fundraising During Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Throughout October, an outpouring of attention is brought to breast cancer, survivors, thrivers, and ongoing research efforts. From media outlets to football games and everything in between, communities are rocking pink in support of the cause all month long. Breast Cancer Awareness Month brings people together with shared stories, pink ribbon campaigns, and community events, making it easier to garner support. While the magnifying glass is on the fight against breast cancer, it’s the ideal time to rally to raise both awareness and funds to create a future free from this disease.  

People are more likely to engage in charitable activities and donate when they see others around them participating and notice an emphasis on the cause. To maximize your contributions in the fight against breast cancer, we highly recommend joining the pink wave this fall whether you’re fundraising for the 3-Day in 2024 or 2025.  

Start by clearly identifying why you participate in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day®. Did you or someone you love battle breast cancer? Has Susan G. Komen had a personal impact on your life? Regardless of your reasoning, clearly communicating why you walk will significantly impact your donors’ contributions. From here, understand how Susan G. Komen uses these dollars and show your donors how their donation could help, the Komen 3-Day’s impact since 2003, and why Komen. Together, this knowledge can help someone finalize their donation to your walk and the breast cancer cause.  

Next, choose your fundraising format. Will you be hosting a donation-based workout class on the weekends, or a pink-ribbon bake sale after school hours? Will you utilize social media or dress up in all pink and trick-or-treat for donations? There are countless opportunities to raise money, and, during the month of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, people are more likely to give. Reach out to local companies, as many participate in Breast Cancer Awareness Month by donating a portion of sales, providing items for auctions, or sponsoring events. Their involvement can significantly boost your fundraising efforts and increase your visibility. Regardless of how you choose to fundraise, it’s helpful to have a team of close friends or family to share responsibilities with who will support you along the way.  

Finally, plan your timeline to ensure your hard work pays off! Begin your outreach and preparation early in the month and host events midway through. Throughout the month, consider offering a small incentive like a wearable pink ribbon or social media shout-out to thank your donors for their contributions. Use a countdown to build a sense of urgency amongst donors and, at the end of the month, individually thank each donor and report on your progress toward your fundraising goal. If not for their contributions, we wouldn’t be able to make the strides we do in the fight against breast cancer. 

No matter how many donations you bring in, utilize Breast Cancer Awareness Month to share the impact that breast cancer continues to have on people throughout the world. Encourage your friends and family to get a mammogram, share their personal stories, and spread awareness whenever possible. With advocacy and fundraising, we can end breast cancer together.