What Every Mom Wants

Deven F awaits Opening Ceremony of the Washington D.C. 3-Day

Deven F awaits the Opening Ceremony of the Washington, D.C. 3-Day

“I can’t take the breast cancer away from her,” explained Deven F this morning in the dark. “So when I saw a Susan G. Komen 3-Day^® ad on TV, I thought, ‘That’s what I have to do!'” Deven’s mother Judi was diagnosed with breast cancer several years ago and is now a two-year survivor. “I just registered online in 2011, and the 3-Day started sending me all the paperwork. That’s when my mom asked me what I was doing.” Deven’s smile was contagious, even in a steady rain, on a chilly October morning. He is joining almost 1,000 participants today who will walk 60 miles over three days to raise funds for breast cancer research.

Judy and Deven cruise through Pit Stop 1 on the rain in Washington D.C. 3-Day

Judi and Deven cruise through Pit Stop 1 in the rain in Washington, D.C.

“I chose the team name ‘Not Another Mom’ for obvious reasons,” said Deven, “but I also had a co-worker pass away from breast cancer in 2011, and so I see how it affects people.” As he talked, some past walkers greet him, a sign of his past influence on the route here in Washington, D.C.

Deven and Judi were front and center at the high-energy Opening Ceremony, despite the rain. ‘If every mom could have a child as committed and caring as Deven,’ I think as they rolled into Pit Stop 1 right on time and looking good. “I’m a survivor!” says Judi from underneath her poncho, and stopped for a picture. She is all smiles on her first 3-Day adventure, and has all the support she needs.

Judy and Deven experience the emotional and uplifting Opening Ceremony of the Washington D.C. 3-Day

Judi and Deven experience the emotional and uplifting Opening Ceremony of the Washington D.C. 3-Day

I asked Deven about what it’s like to be a man on the Washington, D.C. 3-Day, and he responded: “I don’t see why there aren’t more men! This is always fun when you’re one of the only men. There are so many great people out here, and we have to support those with breast cancer and to help find a cure.”

Give a shout out to Deven and Judi in Washington, D.C. this weekend, and share some of your own stories about who is helping you!

The Philadelphia 3-Day Success

The Susan G. Komen 3-Day^® started in Philadelphia with a bang on Friday morning, October 4, at the Willow Grove Mall in a warm, pleasant sunrise, and the anticipation and excitement of starting the physically demanding and personally challenging 60-mile course that wound its way through the greater Philadelphia area. Many first-time Komen 3-Day walkers seemed excited and a bit nervous about the daunting task, but the crowd of 1200 walkers, over 350 crew members, and family and friends were quickly engulfed by the spirit of the event that would raise $3.2 million to help end breast cancer!

The challenges of Day 1 often include a few new blisters as the day wears on, and the Medical Crew was in full force, assisting those who needed a little extra help. The sports medicine volunteer crew members were heaven-sent as they provided help in stretching out the sore and aching muscles that only 22.9 miles will bring. Though the heat index was high, some of the beautiful views of the Schuylkill River made up for it, and the trek up and around the Philadelphia Art Museum started the walkers to camp, held in the Philadelphia Convention Center. After some well deserved dinner, the walkers and crew were treated to a camp show of the day’s events, games by presenting sponsor Bank of America, recognition of Philadelphia’s top fundraisers, and a special Milestone Award, which was given to Andie Summers, a nine-year participant who has raised over $73,000 to date (and counting!). Congratulations to Andie for her dedicated efforts for the 3-Day®. She is also the captain of Team XTU Xtra Mile, which was Philadelphia’s second-highest fundraising team with $58,534 raised just this year.

Day 2 and the 22.3-mile leg of the 60-mile journey started out with a couple of hills (no problem, right?), but the scenery of West Fairmont Park made up for that as well. The heat index was high again on Saturday, and besides two official cheering stations, the course was dotted with private cheering stations in the neighborhoods of Bala Cynwyd, Nerberth, Haverford, Penn Wynne, and Wynnewood. The New Balance-sponsored cheerleaders from Garden Valley helped liven the group at Pit Stop 2. The camp show capped off a great day with moving speeches by Ellen Gunther, a co-survivor, and Sharon Slosarik, a young survivor. A little dance party never hurt anyone, and Philadelphia knows how to dance!

Sunday’s 14.4-mile route was exciting as almost the entire group of walkers lined up for the opening of the route, a sight to behold. Walkers worked their way through downtown Philadelphia and enjoyed the cheering stations at Passyunk Square, University of the Arts, and FDR. The Eagles’ Drumline happened to be encouraging the walkers to finish strong at the Navy Yard with their professional beats. A large crowd of friends and family gathered to cheer on these dedicated walkers and fundraisers, and gathered for a moving Closing Ceremony in great weather, honoring the walkers and crew of the Philadelphia 3-Day and the breast cancer survivors. Thank you Philadelphia and we’ll see you next year!

“I’ll Help Anywhere”

Brad is flanked by family and flag bears at the Opening Ceremony of the Philadelphia 3-Day

Brad is flanked by flag bearers at the Opening Ceremony of the Philadelphia 3-Day

‘Are you comfortable with a walkie talkie?’ read the first email. Brad T replied, ‘Yes’ to that email. ‘Can you drive a large box truck?’ Again he replied ‘Yes.’ He realized that the first two emails were blanket emails to his volunteer ‘Crew’ on the Susan G. Komen Philadelphia 3-Day in 2012. The next email was only to him: ‘Would you be the Captain of your crew?’

He laughed and accepted. “I was on the ‘I’ll Help Anywhere’ Crew and ended up on Grab and Go B, a small pit stop supporting over a thousand Susan G. Komen 3-Day® walkers on their 60-mile journey to raise research money for breast cancer. Brad, a tax guy by day, dons a pink shirt and a pink baseball cap for the event, hardly the attire of his usual working life. Brad’s story, however, is personal and can bring tears in a moment.

Brad T carries the flag “My Wife” in honor of Sabrina, who passed away from breast cancer

His wife and mother of his four children, Sabrina, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007. “We were married for 32 years,” said Brad at Pit Stop 1 on Saturday. “We met in southern California in 1979; both of us were there for work. We were married in the church we met in!” Brad first was a volunteer at the breast cancer fundraising event in 2010, helping on the Sunday when the walkers and regular crew members celebrate at the end of their 60-mile journey. “I wanted to walk in 2011, but Sabrina was just too sick,” mentions Brad. Sabrina passed away in May of 2012. “I’m excited to walk this year for the first time and carry the flag in her honor.” Several individuals are asked to represent their loved ones in the Opening and Closing Ceremonies with flags. Brad is carrying one that reads: “My Wife.”

Brad T honors his wife Sabrina at the Opening Ceremony of the Philadelphia 3-Day

Amazingly, this has been a banner for the entire family. His older daughter and his youngest son are walking with him. His younger daughter joined the Young Women Walking (YW2) group, which supports girls and guys 16-23 in one day of a Komen 3-Day®. They still raise at least $750, and they walk the entire 20+ miles on Day 2 of the route. “In all, our goal was well over $6900,” says Brad, “but we raised over $10,000 together.” This dedication and commitment to the cause is always inspiring. What a team! Give a shoutout to Brad and his family this weekend on their first 3-Day as walkers!

Brad, family, and friends celebrate the end of Day 1 on the Philadelphia 3-Day

The 3-Day Blog

Tag Archives: Komen 3-Day®

What Every Mom Wants

The Philadelphia 3-Day Success

“I’ll Help Anywhere”