“I Like Climbing Mountains”

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!

3-Day Crew Fundraising Surpasses $1 Million!

If walkers are the “soul” of the 3-Day, the extraordinary 3-Day Crew can best be described as the heart! They arrive the day before the event to decorate sweep vans, mark the route and commit to their 3-Day pledge to care for those of us who have the easy job of walking 60 miles over 3 days!

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The Sisterhood of Rockwall, Texas

The front and reverse of Team ‘Sisterhood of the Traveling Boobs’ tamer outfit

“Well, our official name is of course, ‘The Sisterhood of the Traveling Boobs’ but we have to use a more generic team name for our community fundraisers!” exclaimed the women before the last day of the Susan G. Komen 3-Day^® in Dallas/Fort Worth this weekend. For six women out of Rockwall, Texas, the Komen 3-Day this weekend has become a yearly event. Amber, their leader, has been walking for breast cancer research and awareness since 2001! Rhonda has been walking for six years for her aunt and another friend. “I love it!” she said this morning in great weather, ready to take on the final day of the 60-mile walk. “I’ve played soccer for a long time, so this isn’t too bad.” For Jennifer and Christina, however, who are first-timers on the long walk, the distance is taxing.

Four of the team start Day 3 of the Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day event

“It’s great to have everyone cheering,” said Jennifer. Christina seemed to know what was coming and was well prepared by the seasoned members of the team, who are sporting their characteristic bright greens, which seem to accent the ubiquitous pink quite well. They have enjoyed a sponsorship from a local T-shirt company who printed 75 shirts for their 5K fundraiser. In addition, their two sets of 3-Day uniforms are pretty unique. Their fundraisers have done well, too. Since 2001, they have raised over $81,000 to support breast cancer research. That’s a huge sum when many years there were only two in the team who could participate.

Team 'Sisterhood of the Traveling Boobs' enjoy the Texas sunshine on Day 3 of the Komen 3-Day in Dallas-Fort Worth

Team ‘Sisterhood of the Traveling Boobs’ enjoys the Texas sunshine on Day 3 of the 3-Day in Dallas-Fort Worth

Two other women round out the six-member team: Michele and Paula. Michele’s cousin is a breast cancer survivor, and all of the women represent a team that is fully supportive of their friends and relatives who have been affected by breast cancer. “Well, we adopted one more person on this 3-Day,” says Amber. “Clark is walking alone in honor of his grandmother and he was in a tent next to us. So we told him he could walk with us!” The team seemed very relaxed, as some walked together and others were scattered along the route. Their good attitudes and friendly personalities seemed to radiant onto the last miles of the course.

Good luck to Team ‘Sisterhood of the Traveling Boobs’ and to all the walkers and crew on the last day of the walk!