Tag Archives: inspiration

Why I’m Coming Back to the 3-Day in 2014

The decision to join the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® is a big one. The decision to come back again, for a second, third, tenth, or twentieth time, is equally impressive. We asked some of our 2013 Komen 3-Day walkers and crew members why they have chosen to participate again in 2014. Their answers are inspiring.

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Natalie B. was a first-time walker in the Twin Cities this year, but she’s already hooked. “I had donated in the past to friends who did the 3-Day, but before I did the walk, I had no clue what a special experience it would be. There’s something about taking part in it yourself that really makes you feel the enormity of this disease and its impact. I don’t know how to describe it, really, but the shared experience of pushing our bodies to extremes, hearing stories of people affected by breast cancer, and seeing the effort of so many people to put the event on just really makes you feel part of something bigger than yourself and your own little world. I felt very connected to this cause after the 3-Day, much more so than I did when I just donated to friends’ fundraising efforts in the past. I can’t imagine not doing it again.”

One of the top fundraisers in San Diego this year, Lucy M. is a two-time breast cancer survivor, and says, “My annual 3-Day experience is my celebration of my own wellness. I am one of the lucky ones and I walk because I can.” Lucy will be back for her 13th event in 2014, celebrating another year of survivorship.

San Diego Day 1

Blanche was a member of the Camp Services crew team in San Diego

Blanche C. from Seattle has walked in the 3-Day 12 times in 10 years, but had her very first experience serving as a crew member this year. Blanche shared, “I walk, and now crew, because I’m hooked on making a difference. I originally became involved for a challenge, and my aunt passed away from breast cancer. I have met the most amazing people because of the 3-Day I can’t imagine not participating in some way. And just because I’m crewing that doesn’t mean I won’t fundraise. Here’s to another fabulous year!” Blanche already registered for the 3-Day Crew three times in 2014—in Twin Cities, Seattle and San Diego.

For first-time walker and survivor Gigi C., being part of a team made all the difference. “I can’t even put into words what an amazing experience it was. I was lucky enough to walk with some ‘9 year pros’ from Two Jewels and A Gem and I couldn’t have done it without them! It was such a fun, uplifting and emotional journey for me and I will be joining them again next year.”

Lori M.’s reason for returning to the 3-Day is a specific and sobering reminder of why we must continue: “We have achieved a 99% 5-year survival rate with early diagnosis – and while this is great, there is more to do. This year I met a surprising number of women who experienced a second diagnosis between years 6-10. We have a new mission – prevent the re-occurrence!”

Every member of the Susan G. Komen 3-Day family has unique and inspiring reasons for being involved and for coming back year after year. What will bring you back in 2014?

“I Carry Your Heart With Me”

Poet e.e. cummings penned some of the most memorable lines in a love poem, which a close friend of mine recently read at his wedding. As an artist, my friend found the simple stanza to be worthy of the tribute that he gave to his bride of only a few hours: “i carry your heart with me(i carry it in my heart)” While I have loved the poem myself since I first heard it, I recognized it again in visual form. I am much more accustomed to seeing the poetry of life through a lens, but the marriage of e.e. cummings’ lines met the reality of life this weekend on the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® in Arizona. The memorial of a face, obviously a loved one, was strapped to a dedicated 60-mile walker. The Komen 3-Day asks its participants to fundraise for breast cancer research in exchange for the physically demanding challenge of walking for three days and 60 miles.

Brenda carries images of her mother who passed away from breast cancer when she was 14 years old

I was enlightened suddenly by the scene that I had witnessed from Boston to Seattle and from Atlanta to Arizona. The physical reminder of a loved one who had been affected or who had passed away from breast cancer was literally being carried. It was the act of bringing that person as close as possible to themselves: not only their memory carried in the heart of the walker, but the image, the photograph, the tribute. The photograph of a person is often how we want to remember them, a powerful memoir to have on the journey that will tax them.

John walks out of Opening Ceremony on Day 1 of the Arizona 3-Day, wearing the shirt he has carried over 720 miles on Komen events this year

The walkers will often imprint t-shirts, a particularly poignant similarity to cummings’ lines: “(anywhere i go you go,my dear;and whatever is done by only me is your doing,my darling).” The reminder of a loved one who is battling breast cancer or who has passed is often reviving to a participant on Day 2 when perhaps the heat of the desert starts to drain them emotionally.

Arizona Day 2

In the third stanza, the poet dives deeper into the relationship of his beloved by sharing with the reader “the deepest secret nobody knows” and then referring to this secret as “the wonder that’s keeping the stars apart.” After discussing why people walk the 3-Day over the past thirteen weeks, I have found that there are many “deepest secrets” that only begin to surface as someone explains their relationship to the person for whom they are walking. What they cannot or sometimes do not want to discuss is this relationship of deep love that will always be difficult to express in words.

But they carry them. They carry them deep in their hearts, and the poet finishes his work even more directly than he began: “i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)”.

“I Like Climbing Mountains”

Justine looks into the crowd at Opening Ceremony on the Susan G. Komen Arizona 3-Day

Justine looks into the crowd at Opening Ceremony on the Susan G. Komen Arizona 3-Day

When Justine was diagnosed with breast cancer at the young age of 23, she did not think that she was going to live for more than three years. “It’s been four years now,” she says with a smile. “My kids were two and three years old when I was diagnosed,” she mentions as the practice run for the Opening Ceremony for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® in Arizona was wrapping up. “I don’t cry a lot, but when Dr. Sheri talks about having both parents at their kids’ graduation, that gets me.”

Justine is all smiles as she leads over 700 participants out onto the streets of the Greater Phoenix area on the Arizona 3-Day

Justine is walking the Komen 3-Day in Arizona for her first time and while in chemotherapy treatment. “I had a treatment last Friday,” she mentions, almost as a sidenote. She appears strong, but admits that she feels the effects of the treatment.

Justine joins other breast cancer survivors in an inspirational beginning to the Komen 3-Day in Arizona this weekend

Then why push yourself on a three-day, 60-mile course? “I’m pretty stubborn. I made the decision six or seven months ago, and I joined up with a team from work, Team Ortho Arizona, so we’re doing this. I also like to climb mountains, and since I can’t make it up Squaw right now, I’m doing this.” Although there may not be the vertical of her usual mountains she likes to climb, the 3-Day in Arizona is no joke. Participants, some in chemotherapy like Justine, will push themselves to the limits in order to complete the 60-mile course.

Team 'Ortho Arizona' starts its 60-mile journey on the Komen 3-Day in Arizona

Team ‘Ortho Arizona’ and friends start their 60-mile journey on the Arizona 3-Day

Justine has put in extra time fundraising beyond her busy schedule at work and with kids. She sold jewelry for a company on the side and then had enough donations to participate in the walk. As she stands on stage this morning, hands raised high, she represents women and men who are pushing through the emotional, physical, and financial battles of breast cancer. Give her a hand when you see her this weekend on her first 3-Day!