Tag Archives: Komen 3-Day®

Cathy’s 20-Year Journey With the 3-Day

Cathy M. and her friend, Benny, who met at the Komen 3-Day in 2004.

Cathy M. has been part of the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® for more than 20 years and still shows up each November ready to walk all 60 miles. 

She has collected the names of 180 people impacted by breast cancer — names she now wears on a pink cape as she walks. 

“The names are of people diagnosed with breast cancer, those we have lost and the names of inspiring survivors,” Cathy said. “I walk for them. The real heroes.” 

Cathy first discovered the 3-Day while sitting at a traffic light in Southern California, where she watched a sea of walkers moving down the coast. Something about that moment stuck with her. Even though she didn’t yet have a personal connection to breast cancer, she felt drawn to be a part of it. 

Cathy M. wears a pink cape that has names of people impacted by breast cancer.

Years later, that connection became deeply personal when her sister was diagnosed with breast cancer, and Cathy wanted to offer her support. 

“My sister didn’t even tell us about her cancer until after her surgery,” Cathy said. “After that, I got my rear off the couch and signed up.” 

Cathy walked her first 3-Day in 2003 in San Diego at the age of 51 and hasn’t missed a year since.  

Since then, she’s become a resource for “newbies” taking on the Komen 3-Day, even writing her own survival guide — playfully titled 60-Mile Walk Survival Guide From an Old Lady Walking — to pass along advice based on her experience. She shares it for free on Facebook. 

“I like to think I get smarter with each event under my feet,” Cathy said with a smile. “The guide is just what has worked for me and my hope is that something in there could help the new walkers.”   

Cathy M. and her team walking the San Diego 3-Team during the 2010 rainstorm.

While Cathy has never had breast cancer, she said she has spent years reflecting on what keeps her coming back to the 3-Day. 

“It just puts life in perspective,” Cathy said. “It grounds me and reconnects me to the Pink Bubble. The people, the atmosphere, it’s so positive. I love meeting everyone and hearing their stories. It really is more than just a walk.” 

When she’s not walking in the 3-Day, Cathy is a caregiver to her 103-year-old mother in Boise, Idaho, a role that reflects the same strength and compassion she brings to the walk every year. Her sister, Terry, is a more than 20-year breast cancer survivor, and Cathy continues to walk in her honor. 

Cathy also shares her 3-Day experiences through a personal blog and has written a book inspired by her journey in the Pink Bubble. For Cathy, the 3-Day is more than an event, it’s a lifelong connection to the people and stories that continue to guide her steps. 

 

How a 3-Day Training Walk Saved Burt’s Life

Burt L. and his 3-Day training walk group in New York,

At 81, Burt L. has walked the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® 35 times. A longtime training walk leader from New York, he’s spent years helping others prepare for their 60-mile journey. But a few years ago, Burt’s training group found themselves looking out for him. 

“The last couple of years, I’d get an uncomfortable feeling in my chest when we started to walk,” Burt explained. “It would go away, and I felt fine.” 

As the training walks continued around New York, the chest pains kept coming. 

“At that point they told me they would not walk with me again unless I go see a doctor,” he said. “And by God, I needed it. They were right. They saved my life.” 

Burt soon learned he needed a heart valve replacement and later, a pacemaker. These two procedures have allowed him to continue doing what he loves—walking in support of the 3-Day. 

Burt L., a longtime walker of the Susan G, Komen 3-Day, during a heart procedure.

“If it hadn’t been for them yelling at me to go see a doctor, who knows where I would be today,” Burt said.  

Today Burt is feeling good and plans to keep walking the 3-Day for as long as he can. He began walking 22 years ago in honor of his cousin, Judy, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1999. When her cancer metastasized (spread), she faced it with courage until her death in 2004. 

“I need to do all I can to make sure Judy did not die in vain,” Burt said. “I need to do all I can to help bring about the day when no other man or woman, no other family, loses a person they love to breast cancer.” 

In the early years, he walked with Judy’s daughters. And this year, in what he calls “a delicious demonstration of the circle of life,” Burt will walk his 36th 3-Day alongside Judy’s grandson. 

“We are JuJu’s Boys,” he said. “On his first 3-Day and my 36th, we will continue the fight against breast cancer together.” 

Over the last two decades in the Pink Bubble, Burt has raised more than $300,000 for the 3-Day. Each month, Burt and his training groups strive to meet and walk 10 to 20 miles in preparation for the 3-Day. While many of them participate in different 3-Day cities, they take care and motivate each other through every step of training. 

To learn more about the 3-Day visit the3day.org.

Four Simple and Fun Summer Fundraising Ideas

Fundraising may be taking a back seat to summer plans, but there are still plenty of easy ways to turn everyday moments into meaningful fundraising opportunities. Whether you’re collecting spare change, decluttering your closet or squeezing some lemons, these simple ideas can help boost your fundraising. 

Spare Change: Loose coins add up fast (some people have been collecting their change for years)! Don’t be shy about asking friends, family and neighbors to donate the spare change they have sitting in their car cup holders, junk drawers, piggy banks or coin jars. You’ll be surprised how quickly it all adds up! 

Purpose-Driven Yard Sale: Ask friends, family and neighbors to donate gently used items, then host a “Fundraising Yard Sale.” Use pink-inspired signs that showcase your 3-Day connection and story. Pro tip: Post your yard sale in local Facebook neighborhood groups and upload photos of your items with prices. Be sure to mention that all proceeds go toward your 3-Day goal. (Suggested price: at least $5 per item). 

Pink Drink Stand: Set up a pink-themed lemonade or iced coffee stand and get creative with signs that highlight the Komen 3-Day and breast cancer awareness. Add homemade treats, baked goods or dog treats to increase donations. Pro tip: Invite your kids or grandkids to help run the stand. People love supporting cute kids! (Suggested price: $2 lemonade, $4 iced coffee). 

Facebook Fundraiser: If you haven’t already, visit your Participant Center and connect your fundraiser to Facebook! It’s a quick way to share why you are joining the 3-Day with your entire social network. And remember, sometimes the people you least expect are the most generous. 

You may not think so, but sometimes the simplest ideas can lead to a lot of support.  Whatever fundraising angle you choose, every effort counts. Keep sharing why you are involved in the 3-Day and the support will follow!