Tag Archives: Lifetime Commitment Circle

For the Love of Music and the 3-Day

Alyssa S. on stage at her percussion recital to benefit the 3-Day.

For nearly 20 years, Alyssa S. has been a part of the Susan G. Komen 3-Day®. community. 

Her commitment began when her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004. 

“I would research her medications and side effects while she was going through her treatment, and I kept getting pop-up ads for the 3-Day,” Alyssa said. “I finally registered in 2007. At the time, I didn’t realize the 3-Day was something participants keep doing year after year.” 

But that’s exactly what happened. 

Alyssa’s first 3-Day event was in Chicago in 2007. Since then, she has completed more than 30 events in Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Boston and San Diego.  

Today, her mother is living with metastatic breast cancer, a diagnosis she received in 2021. 

Alyssa S. and her mom who is living with metastatic breast cancer.

“There are always more reasons to keep going. You hear about more people that have been diagnosed. Everywhere you look, there’s another reason,” Alyssa said. “And there are also personal stories from people whose lives were impacted by the programs supported by the money we’ve raised, and that reminds me why I keep coming back.” 

Making Music to Raise Funds 

To support her 3-Day fundraising efforts, Alyssa turned to her passion for music. 

A percussionist since fifth grade, Alyssa has spent much of her life studying, performing and teaching music. She earned bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in music. When she started the 3-Day, she was a teacher at a community arts school in Flint, Michigan, and she thought of an idea. 

“I was trying to figure out the fundraising, and I thought about doing a recital,” Alyssa said. “I quickly put one together right before that first walk, and it became an annual thing.”  

Alyssa S. and her parents at her percussion recital to benefit the 3-Day.

Nearly two decades later, she’s still hosting the annual recital every year. 

Alyssa invites the community to enjoy a complimentary evening of music while supporting the 3-Day. During the reception, she collects donations for the 3-Day from anyone who is interested in supporting the event. She performs on the marimba and is joined on stage by fellow musicians. 

“Year after year, I have found pretty amazing people who have wanted to continue to support the cause and support me,” Alyssa said. “People usually will ask me, ‘When are you starting your 3-Day fundraising?’ because they want to be involved in that way. It’s incredible.” 

Alyssa S. on stage at her percussion recital playing the marimba.

In 2017, Alyssa received the Twin Cities 3-Day Milestone Award. She is also a member of the Lifetime Commitment Circle and has raised more than $122,000 for Komen.  

For those just beginning their 3-Day fundraising journey, Alyssa has one piece of advice. 

“You just have to ask,” she said. “You never know who will come forward to support you, because breast cancer has impacted the lives of so many people.” 

Alyssa S. at the 3-Day

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

New England 3-Day Raises $2.4 Million to End Breast Cancer

Walkers on Day 3 of the New England 3-Day 2025.

This past weekend, the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® returned to New England, and the Pink Bubble showed up in full force with 930 walkers and crew members raising $2.4 million. 

Before the walk began, 3-Day veterans were reminded to keep an eye out for first-time walkers to offer encouragement and support through a fist bump, hug or high-five along the route. 

A walker getting a high-five at the News England 3-Day.

Day 1 

At the Opening Ceremony, held at the Marriott Copley Place, powerful speeches from participants deeply connected to the Pink Bubble community set the tone. Heather B., diagnosed with breast cancer at age 39 during the height of the coronavirus pandemic, shared her story of isolation during her treatment and her journey toward healing. “This June, I celebrated five years as a survivor,” she said. “Until there’s a cure, I’ll keep showing up.” 

First-time walker Maureen O. took the stage and said she was inspired by her friend, Lynn, a breast cancer survivor who has completed 18 3-Days. Maureen walked for her sister, Kelly, a two-time breast cancer survivor. “I walk for the survivors. For the fighters. And for the families who ‘ve lost too much,” Maureen said. “And I walk for my seven nieces and nephews, believing that because of the Pink Bubble they’ll grow up in a world without breast cancer.” 

The Promise Flag was raised by sisters, Heather and Kristen, honoring their mother, Birgit M., who died from breast cancer 25 years ago at the age of 59. “We walk for her and for all the mothers, sisters, daughters and friends we’ve loved and lost—dreaming of a day when no one has to walk in memory,” they said.

Survivors and those living with metastatic breast cancer led walkers out for their first 20 unforgettable miles. The route wound past Boston icons like the Citgo sign and through the tree-lined neighborhoods of Brookline, Chestnut Hill and Brighton. 

That night, the Celebration of Champions, sponsored by national presenting sponsor Bank of America, recognized top fundraisers and teams, plus the youngest crew members and fundraisers from the Youth Corps.  

2025 Youth Corps at New England 3-Day

Gregory B. was honored as the 3-Day Rookie of the year, raising over $14,000 in his first walk. 

New for 2025 were participant superlative awards, chosen by the 3-Day Advisory Council, veteran 3-Day walkers and crew members who, in addition to raising money and walking 60 miles, also volunteer to serve this group, working closely with Komen all year long to help steward this special community. 

Coach Heather presented the Milestone Award to Karen E., a 19-time walker who has raised over $182,000. Coach Kiah awarded the Crew Impact Award to Kirstin B. She has raised over $26,000, participated in 28 3-Days and is an integral part of the medical crew. 

Kirstin B. receiving the Crew Impact Award at the 2025 New England 3-Day.

Day 2 

Day two began through the Underground at Ink Block and continued by Boston’s historic sites, including the Old State House, Fort Point Channel and the iconic Cheers bar made famous by the long-running TV sitcom. Walkers even passed Fenway Park, the famed home of the Boston Red Sox since 1912. Along the way, the Memorial Mile offered a moment of quiet reflection for loved ones who have lost their lives to breast cancer.

Memorial Mile 2025 New England 3-Day

Among the walkers was Kim G., who is living with metastatic breast cancer. She walked her second 3-Day on her last weekend of being 60. “I participated in my first 3-Day in Washington D.C. 21 years ago,” Kim said.” I’m thrilled to be walking 60 miles in the Pink Bubble.” 

After more than 40 miles walked, the massage chairs provided by Bank of America were a welcome end-of-day relief.  

Day 2 at the New England 3-Day 2025

That evening, the Honor Ceremony celebrated the Youth Corps, who raised $8,930 and helped support walkers along the route. Each shared their personal connection to breast cancer and were applauded by the audience for their courage.  

Mary Beth M. spoke at the ceremony and honored her husband, Ron, who died from metastatic breast cancer four years ago saying, “His spirit still walks with me, every mile, every step,” she said.  

Courtney L. honored her mother-in-law—who is a breast cancer survivor—and her mother, Brandy, who walked the 3-Day and died 10 years after being diagnosed with breast cancer. “Every step feels like time spent with her. It’s like we’re walking together; me on earth, and her in heaven,” she said. 

Luminarias at the 2025 New England 3-Day

Participants lit candles and placed them in luminaria bags with names of loved ones, creating a moving close to Day 2. 

Day 3 

As temperatures rose on Sunday, the 3-Day adjusted for an earlier start. The route brought walkers past Boston Common, the Frog Pond and along the stories Freedom Trail. Along the way, they encountered historical landmarks like the USS Constitution, Old Church North and Paul Revere’s House. Walkers were even greeted with some 3-Day supporters dressed as colonialists. 

2025 New England 3-Day

Justin G., a four-year participant and XPO employee, walked the final day to support his aunt, sister and friend who were affected by breast cancer. “This cause is huge to me and to everyone who walks it,” he said. “It means everything to me.”  

At the Closing Ceremony, Shirley E., Jennifer S, Mary C. and Tracy F. were welcomed into the Lifetime Commitment Club after raising over $100,000 each for the 3-Day.  

Last walker at the 2025 New England 3-Day

As the final mother and daughter walker crossed the finish line, the Pink Bubble gathered to cheer them on. The Last Walker Flag was raised and everyone celebrated, hugged and lifted their shoes in honor of every survivor and thriver who made the 3-Day journey unforgettable. 

Shoes raised at the Closing Ceremony of the 2025 New England 3-Day.

The New England 3-Day was a weekend filled with dedication, celebration, hope and remembrance. The $2.4 million raised will power groundbreaking research and provide critical support to those impacted by breast cancer. 

None of this would be possible without the generous support of our national series sponsors Mohawk Flooring, Ready and XPO and Bank of America, our longtime national presenting sponsor. From the pink Mohawk carpets to the Bank of America massage chairs, Pit Stop cheer squads from Ready and XPO’s amazing employees walking with us and helping transport our event must-haves from city to city, these partners make every step of the 3-Day journey possible, and we couldn’t do this without them.  

 

June Pink Bubble Story of the Month: Tammy Z. 

Tammy Z. participated in her very first Susan G. Komen 3-Day® in 2005 when a friend dared her to walk. She doubted she could walk 60 miles in three days, but Tammy had just turned 40 and thought it would be nice to set this goal. With three school-aged children and a demanding full-time job, training and preparing for the Komen 3-Day became her “me-time” while rallying around a good cause. Once she set foot into the Pink Bubble, Tammy was hooked for life. She’s since walked in Tampa Bay, New England, Seattle, Chicago, Denver, and San Diego, with this year marking her twentieth walk in Dallas/Fort Worth. She is so dedicated to the 3-Day® that when the event was cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19, Tammy and her team raised the funds and walked 60 miles together in St. Petersburg, Florida.  

Some of Tammy’s favorite memories in the Pink Bubble include family members participating with her in Tampa Bay. In 2007, her mom joined her for all 60 miles and returned the following year with Tammy’s daughter to serve as crew members. In 2013 Tammy’s daughter returned to the Crew with her boyfriend, now husband, as Lunch Team Crew captains at the young age of 21. To this day, Tammy recalls them being the superstars of the Tampa Bay Lunch Crew and claims they had the most efficient lunch setup in any of the 3-Days that she has participated in. 

On top of the incredible memories that come with each event, Tammy remains dedicated to the cause with hopes that the cures are close. Her Co-Captain and another dear friend both had metastatic breast cancer. Because of their incredible attitudes despite the battles they continue to face, Tammy commits to the 3-Day to fight for them and so many others until there are cures. She motivates her team by reminding them that it could be their dollar raised that pushes the science discovery over the edge. Her team refers to themselves as professional yard sale hosts, organizing two per year which raise around $1,500 each time. Their friends and neighbors are always very generous by donating great treasures for the sales and shoppers look forward to seeing what they bring each year. They have found that when you are holding a sale to raise money for breast cancer research, shoppers typically keep negotiations to a minimum. She recalls one year when her team held three yard sales in one weekend, encouraging healthy competition amongst the team members on which location could raise the most money. She recommends that all fundraisers host a yard sale and not be shy when asking around for donations since most people are generous to contribute to a good cause.  

Tammy has recently been inaugurated into the Lifetime Commitment Circle by raising a personal total of $100,000 for the breast cancer cause. She spent the last 20 years focused on ensuring all her team members reach their fundraising goals so they can participate with the team on the 3-Day. Having begun her 3-Day journey by setting a goal to walk 60 miles, she continues her goalsetting by committing to get her team, C-Side Sisters, to the $1 million mark. At just about $700,000, Tammy is confident that her small team will get there, one dime at a time! 

For those who’re interested in the 3-Day but haven’t yet registered, she encourages everyone to take her approach and just try it. With sweep vans plentiful on event, there’s always an option whenever you find yourself struggling to walk. By registering for the 3-Day, you are joining the Pink Bubble, a community who comes together with a common purpose amongst a sea of pink; though her team typically opts for a different color to easily identify one another in the crowd!