“My mom was more than her diagnosis; she was a beacon of strength, love, and compassion to everyone who knew her.
“At just 34 years old, she discovered a small lump during a self-examination and was diagnosed with breast cancer. Despite the fear and uncertainty, she faced her mastectomy and six months of chemotherapy with courage, all while caring for my 6-year-old sister and me, a 2½-year-old, and supporting my dad. Her strength and resilience saw her through, and after treatment, she was declared cancer-free and entered remission.
“True to her giving nature, once she regained her strength, my mom began volunteering at Victory in the Valley in Wichita, Kansas, helping other women navigate their own battles with breast cancer. However, in her fourth year of remission, the devastating news came: her cancer had returned.
“For five more years, my mom faced this relentless disease with grace, undergoing six different treatment protocols. She lost her hair and nails, but never her spirit. Even as a nurse, fully aware of the uphill battle she faced, she focused on teaching my sister and me about life, ensuring that we felt as normal and loved as possible despite her struggle.
“On November 2, 2000, at just 44 years old, my mom passed away. While she is no longer with us physically, her legacy of strength, kindness, and unwavering love lives on through my sister and me. We strive every day to carry forward the values she instilled in us, honoring the extraordinary woman who taught us what it means to live fully, love deeply, and persevere through even the most difficult challenges.”
“My friend, Sonia, is a survivor. She asked me to join her in this experience and I couldn’t be more grateful to have walked alongside her and our incredible team, STEPS. Being surrounded by such inspirational people—men and women who have given years of their lives to this cause—was deeply moving. Walking alongside people who were on their 36th walk or were tackling all four events this year was remarkable. It left me feeling like I’ll never be able to let a year go by without being involved in some way. Whether walking, cheering, or volunteering, I know I want to be part of this incredible community. Seeing the strength and resilience of the survivors and hearing their stories made a profound impact on my heart. Their courage is something I’ll carry with me always.”
We wrapped up the 2024 3-Day season in sunny San Diego! From November 15–17, the Pink Bubble returned to pink tents to camp out and walk 60, 40, or 20 miles. Together, 1,850 walkers and 340 crew members raised a total of $6.4 million for breast cancer research, community health, patient care and advocacy.
Day 1
The 2024 San Diego 3-Day kicked off with the sun rising in Del Mar for a packed Opening Ceremony. The entire crowd let out a tremendous cheer of support when Meghan L. shared that she walks for her mom, who lost her battle with breast cancer in 2023. “The 3-Day has quickly become my favorite tradition. It is a space where I am most reminded of her.” Following, Beth B. shared her story as a survivor who walks not just for herself but to share her story and show people what it means to live beyond a cancer diagnosis. To wrap up the ceremony, Aimee and Ashley L. were accompanied by their father, Gary L., on stage as they spoke of their beautiful mother who passed away from this horrible disease in July of this year. “She was an incredible mother to us and a loving wife to our dad, Gary…. We are proud to walk these 60 miles in her memory and to raise funds to support research, clinical trials, patient care, and so much more for this generation and the next.” Gary concluded the Opening Ceremony by raising the Promise Flag in honor of everyone we walk to remember before survivors and thrivers led the way out onto the route.
As the parade of pink made its way down the coast, 3-Dayers passed through Del Mar Village, which boasted incredible community support, toward Torrey Pines where they faced a large hill, and into La Jolla Shores where sea life flourishes. From local businesses to cheerleaders and the San Diego Police Department (SDPD), walkers were fueled by cheering and snacks at nearly every corner. They also couldn’t miss the “Crazy Sign Lady” who updated her poster every few miles, all the way from 60 miles to 0.
The second half of the route included La Jolla Cove and Children’s pool before returning to camp to enjoy the Bank of America massage chairs, trail mix, and setting up their pink tents. The SDPD hosted an impromptu dance session in the dining tent where hundreds of individuals danced the wobble with tremendous smiles on their faces! To wrap up the evening, walkers enjoyed the Bank of America Celebration of Champions, where we awarded our Top Fundraisers, Milestone Award Winner, and Crew Impact Award Winners with donations of up to $500 for their 2025 3-Day fundraising. Our National Presenting Sponsor also hosted a raffle where five randomly selected San Diego 3-Day participants won $250 toward their 2025 fundraising efforts. What a way to wrap up the evening before getting some shuteye in pink tents along the beach of Mission Bay.
Day 2
As the sun rose, so did walkers and crew as they emerged from their pink tents to enjoy a hearty breakfast before lining up on the Mohawk Pink Carpet to embark on the route. Standing at the front of the line was Rachel B., our San Diego Ultimate Event Experience winner who accomplished her 15th 3-Day this weekend. In the eligible challenge period, Rachel humbly raised nearly $9,700, earning her first position out on the route with her team Bouncin’ Buckeyes amongst other prizes. When given the go-ahead, Rachel led walkers who flooded out of camp creating an immense sea of pink. In typical San Diego style, supporters including the SDPD cheered them on as they exited camp to enjoy a fun-filled 20 miles.
Walkers passed through Sunset Cliffs National Park and Smiley Lagoon before heading toward South Mission Beach Boardwalk and the infamous Muscle Beach. At Pit Stop 2, walkers were greeted by a Mickey Mouse theme and a real parrot, as well as delicious snacks, hydration, and porta johns. Walkers headed over to lunch to celebrate the halfway mark where a mother and her seven-year-old daughter were offering pink ribbon face paint to walkers and crew. Before you knew it, walkers were back on their feet squeezing in a quick Wobble with the SDPD before heading back out on the route!
Walkers then passed through Memorial Mile where the photos of 100 incredible individuals who battled breast cancer stood proudly. As they made their way into camp, walkers were greeted with the famous 3-Day mac ‘n’ cheese before welcoming in the last walker, who entered the tent dancing. A hot chocolate bar, courtesy of Bank of America, opened with countless toppings including marshmallows, whipped cream, chocolate shavings, peppermint sticks, and more! With stomachs and hearts full, we enjoyed a touching Honor Ceremony which began with words from all 27 members of our Youth Corps. Tears were shed, hugs were exchanged, and we were all unified as we remembered why we walk. Everyone lit a candle to line the way to the remembrance tent before calling it a night and resting up for the final day of the San Diego 3-Day.
Day 3
To kick off Day 3, walkers packed up their pink tents and enjoyed a delicious breakfast at camp. As they headed out on the route, walkers passed through Ocean Front Walk, Belmont Park, and Bonita Cove before passing by Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute. Shortly after, SeaWorld San Diego cheered on walkers with the help of an adorable penguin named June! They also provided walkers with water, gummy bears, holiday ornaments, and more to put a little pep in their step. Walgreens cheered on walkers as they strolled toward Old Town Viewpoint and the Little Italy Sign, and before we knew it, they were crossing the Mohawk Pink Carpet into the Closing Ceremony!
To celebrate their tremendous achievement of up to 60 miles in three days, walkers were gifted a victory t-shirt and San Diego medal courtesy of Bank of America. They got to snap a quick photo in front of the 60-Mile sign and at the Nature’s Bounty Butterfly Wings. Nature’s Bounty also offered a drawing to win a prize pack as well as a free bag stuffed with their Hair Growth vitamins and a stunning pin! Walkers grabbed a Mohawk SmartCushion to rest their feet and take in the gorgeous view of Waterfront Park while eagerly waiting for our last walker.
The last walker entered the sea of supporters and raised the last walker flag one last time before crew members lined the way to the stage for survivors and thrivers. A collection of thousands of sneakers arose, contrasting beautifully with the waterfront scenery. Hand-in-hand, survivors and thrivers walked toward the stage prompting our Closing Ceremony. It was at this time that we discovered that, collectively, the participants of the San Diego 3-Day raised a colossal $6.4 million in the fight against breast cancer. Bubbles were released into the air and the celebration concluded with crying, hugging, and dancing as we look forward to the 2025 3-Day season.
Thank you to all who joined us this year. From walkers to crew to volunteers, your efforts push us closer to the world we dream of. A world without breast cancer. We look forward to seeing you next year!
Since her first 3-Day 15 years ago, Sheryl has walked 34 times and has raised more than $191,000. Not only that, but the team that she captains with Dana Bilbray, STEPS, was this year’s top fundraising team on the New England and Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Days. Team STEPS is closing in on $2 million dollars raised since their inception in 2009, with their team’s lifetime fundraising history just shy of $1.9 million STEPS has no off-season; they train and fundraise all year round and are instrumental in ensuring the success of the Susan G. Komen Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day!
“My name is Sharon F., Sheryl’s twin sister, and I wanted to share some things about her from my perspective. Sheryl is a natural leader—leading by example, encouraging, challenging, removing barriers and inspiring others.”
What was your sister’s inspiration to do her first Susan G. Komen 3-Day®?
Her inspiration is both professional and personal. Professionally she is a Family Medicine physician and reminds patients that only about 15% of women have a family history of breast cancer, so it is critical for the 85% without a family history of breast cancer to ALSO get regular mammograms. It’s also personal, since breast cancer was diagnosed in our maternal aunt in her thirties, in our paternal aunt in her sixties and in several of our cousins on both sides. Sheryl inspires us all to be better versions of ourselves and to help those around us.
What has brought her back to the 3-Day® year after year?
Sheryl has been on the front lines as a doctor for over 30 years. While the mission of Susan G. Komen® is to help eradicate breast cancer, she sees it as much more. The Komen 3-Day is an opportunity for her to impact the overall health and well-being of others. She helps teammates accomplish goals they did not think they could obtain, taking each step with them, including helping them with hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, weight loss, self-confidence, and more. Sheryl often kicks off the weekly training walks with a brief medical education topic then puts purpose to the perspiration by asking who we are walking for that day. We walk for friends, family and coworkers who are newly tossed into the whirlwind of a cancer diagnosis and for all those who have been affected by breast cancer, some surviving and some not. There are too many stories and too many affected by breast cancer. By returning year after year, Sheryl continues the support, increases awareness, educates, motivates, and reaches the next generation so that perhaps one day we won’t have to walk anymore.
What is the secret to her 3-Day fundraising success?
Fundraising is challenging, but since team STEPS started in 2009, every person on our team who has wanted to walk in the 3-Day has been able to do so. Sheryl issues various challenges to the team then personally donates to anyone who meets the challenge — like donating to teammates if they get a mammogram; brilliant! I updated my mammogram one year because of her. Thanks, Sis! Sheryl has either donated, matched or encouraged others to collectively raise $1.8 million dollars on team STEPS. She is so passionate about making a difference in those affected by breast cancer that people often approach her to ask if they can donate.
What is the best advice she would give to anyone walking the 3-Day?
My sister would tell you to join a team, and, of course, Sheryl would want you to join her team STEPS!
She would encourage you to go to a training walk, reminding you that you don’t have to be an athlete. Not everyone has to walk every step, but by showing up you take more steps than those who didn’t.
She would say never underestimate the power of giving away a free T-shirt (or anything else)! She will quite often give something to someone who donated, or someone recently diagnosed with breast cancer to let them know she cares. It starts a conversation, makes a connection, and tells a story. It says, “I’m part of something that makes a difference. Join me.” Sheryl has also bought things to give away to people who show up for training walks — like a buff to help with heat exhaustion or like a device that will break a car window if needed in an emergency and she may include some sort of short health or safety talk to go with it — it’s powerful! She has used it over and over.
What’s a fun fact about her?
Sheryl is a word nerd. She is a cutthroat Words With Friends player and studies word lists. Also, one year Sheryl made a New Year’s resolution to do something in support of breast cancer every day of the year and she did it, 365 days in a row!
What are the most important lessons you’ve learned from Sheryl on the 3-Day?
To bring up the next generation of walkers, crew, scientists, researchers and keen minds. Sheryl loves the 3-Day motto, “We lay down our footsteps for this generation and the next.”
Recently, Sheryl had a competition to design a new 3-Day buff/gaiter. All ages entered, but the winners were children ages four, six and eight. Their artwork is featured on the buff with this saying “Taking STEPS big and small.” Who knows what impact that will have on these children, what impact cancer will have on them, and what impact they will have on cancer in the future?
Sheryl knows that in the fight against breast cancer, all our steps are important. She continues to learn from those who started before her, challenges and inspires those around her, and makes sure that she is lifting the next generation. She knows that each small step adds up to something bigger and pinker than any one person acting alone.
