Tag Archives: Fundraising

Congratulations to the 2022 Chicago 3-Day Milestone Award Winner!

We’d like to congratulate Rachel B. on being our 2022 Chicago 3-Day Milestone Award Winner! Rachel has participated in 28 3-Days over the last 17 years and has raised over $241,000 to date.  

We asked Rachel how she got involved in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day, and how she and her team continue to be outstanding fundraisers. 

“My Mom had just finished her radiation treatment after her breast cancer diagnosis when I saw an advertisement for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day. I knew that I needed to take action against the disease so my younger sister and a friend joined me for the 2005 Arizona 3-Day. We saw all of the fun names of the teams that were formed and decided on Bouncin’ Buckeyes. Buckeyes refers to our Ohio roots and Bouncin’ is a reference to the boobs. Our first year my sister raised her money within two weeks. She showed me what is possible when you ask for a certain amount of money and also inform the donor of your deadline.  

It’s important to remember why you are walking and to share this in your donation requests. I can’t imagine not having all of the memories with my Mom since she was diagnosed in 2004. I try not to take it for granted as I know many that do not get the extra time. I’m grateful for the advances in research and treatment that Susan G. Komen has provided and I know the money that I raise is making a difference.  

My Mom’s breast cancer was found from a mobile mammogram bus visiting her place of employment. They compared her mammogram to the previous year and saw a difference and sent her for a lumpectomy. Early detection and annual mammograms saved her life. Our team is a super-fundraising team so we have always had a goal to raise more than the minimum. Our supporters are generous and support us with donations to achieve our goals year over year. I also send emails throughout the year so that I am sharing our progress. After the walk, I send all of my donors a thank you card made with some 3-Day pictures and include a donation form for the next year’s 3-Day.”  

We also asked some of her friends to provide a brief testimonial to her greatness! 

“Rachel is the reason I joined the 3-Day. Her passion is contagious. She works countless hours to raise funds for herself and others. Her selfless acts and drive to raise awareness are inspiring.” — Heather G. 

“Rachel is an amazing person and a great team captain. She keeps us all focused and without her we’d be lost.” — Billy G. 

“Rachel is the most committed individual I’ve ever known. Her passion for the 3-Day and the fight against breast cancer personifies the statement, ‘We will never quit!!!’ That is why she leads our team.” — Bobbi D. 

Rachel shared with us, she is a Rodan + Fields skincare consultant and was given the opportunity to join her team on a mission trip to Ethiopia with Ordinary Hero. Rachel visited multiple orphanages and learned how critical food is to our lives. She now sponsors two families in Ethiopia, providing monthly food and allowing their children to go to school. Rachel has been back to Ethiopia once already and hopes to go again in 2023.  

Stay tuned throughout the rest of the 2022 Susan G. Komen 3-Day Series for our other Milestone Award Winners! 

Shannon B. Is Ready to Join the Pink Bubble

Breast cancer survivor Shannon B. will be making her Susan G. Komen 3-Day debut in Chicago this year. After being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020, recently undergoing reconstruction surgery and raising over $32,000 to date, Shannon is ready to take on 60 miles and join the Pink Bubble. 

What is your connection to breast cancer?  

I was diagnosed with stage 2, HER2+ breast cancer in October 2020, had 6 rounds of TCHP chemo, a full year of Herceptin, a bi-lateral mastectomy with 7 lymph nodes removed, 28 radiation treatments, and most recently, reconstruction surgery. 

Why did you sign up for the 3-Day?  

Ironically, I have felt so lucky and privileged through this whole process of having support, good insurance, a flexible employer, and a “best possible outcome” of being cancer-free with a low chance of recurrence. I know that SO MANY others have it much harder than I have, and I feel like I NEED to do something to help others fight breast cancer and fund research that has helped save my life. My oncologist told me that just 10-15 years ago HER2+ breast cancer was one of the deadliest because they didn’t yet know how to treat it. It’s because of research, trials, and the incredible individuals before me that my medical team knew the exact path forward to get me to this cancer-free stage. 

What do you hope to gain from this experience?  

More than anything I hope to make a difference, so others don’t have to deal with this disease, the treatments, side effects, surgeries, etc. Or if they do, maybe the money I raise can help make it just a little bit easier by helping with medical bills, transportation, etc. 

How did you raise so much money in such a short period of time?  

I am no fundraising superstar, but am surrounded by incredible people in my personal and professional life. I have worked at the same company for over 10 years and have built amazing relationships with people all over the country. My family and friends have never wavered in their support. I created a fundraiser on Facebook and posted on LinkedIn and Instagram. My birthday and anniversary of my last TCHP chemo treatment is coming up so I hope to do a few posts to bring in another wave of donations. I have raised A LOT of money, but it still wouldn’t cover the cost of one of my chemo treatments pre-insurance. 

What are you most looking forward to regarding the event?  

I am looking forward to being surrounded by others who are so committed to the cause that they are willing to sacrifice their time and energy to this incredible challenge. And selfishly, I am walking with one of my best friends and I can’t wait to have three days together! What am I least looking forward to (not that you asked)? I am a crier and will likely be crying 80% of the three days; it will be a hard weekend emotionally. 

What advice would you like to seek or questions you’d like to ask from any veteran walkers?  

Please tell me the blisters are avoidable! I can and have survived a lot, but I am a big wimp when it comes to blisters! 

Do you have any advice for Shannon or any other first-time walkers? Tell us your best tips and tricks for conquering the 3-Day in the comments! 

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!