Tag Archives: Mastectomy

Jessica’s Story: Volunteering With a Crown at the 3-Day

Jessica Ashmore wearing her Mrs. Oklahoma crown and sash at the ShareForCures tent at the San Diego 3-Day.

Jessica A. took a unique approach to volunteering at the Susan G. Komen San Diego 3-Day® — wearing her crown as the reigning United States of America’s Mrs. Oklahoma 2026 to draw attention to breast cancer research. 

At the 3-Day in November, Jessica volunteered in the tent dedicated to ShareForCures® — a breast cancer research registry by Susan G. Komen, connecting researchers with information from people who have or had breast cancer to close gaps in breast cancer research data to make new discoveries faster. 

Jessica A. at a Susan G. Komen event in San Diego.

“I initially found out about the Komen 3-Day about 10 years ago when we first came to San Diego,” explained Jessica, whose husband serves in the U.S. Marine Corps. “Back then, I volunteered and cheered along the route. It was a fantastic experience, so I wanted to be part of it again when we moved back here last year.” 

As part of her role, titleholders must participate in community service during their reign, and she saw the 3-Day as an opportunity to do just that.  

“My platform typically centers around all things military —  supporting veterans, active-duty service members and their families, and finding ways to better serve them,” Jessica explained. “But breast cancer is something that affect so many women and families, and it felt important to use my voice to support that as well.”  

Like many, she has seen the impact of breast cancer firsthand. 

“My grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had a mastectomy and reconstruction, and she had a lot of issues with that pre- and post-surgery,” Jessica said. “And my husband’s grandmother had breast cancer I believe three different times.” 

In preparation for volunteering at the 3-Day, Jessica took the time to learn about ShareForCures so she could speak confidently and direct potential participants on how to join the registry.   

ShareForCures volunteer Jessica A. is also Mrs. Oklahoma 2026.“The crown and sash — it’s a talking point. It gets people to come over and ask, ‘What are you here for?’” Jessica said with a smile. “Whenever I got those questions, I would tell them I was there volunteering for ShareForCures. I am hopeful my volunteer efforts resulted in people signing up for this important program.”

Outside of her volunteer work, Jessica is a research program coordinator supporting the Extremity Trauma and Amputation Center of Excellence for the Department of Defense. She lives in San Diego with her husband and three children.  

For more information on joining ShareForCures visit komen.org/shareforcures. 

Statements and opinions expressed are that of the individual and do not express the views or opinions of Susan G. Komen. This information is being provided for educational purposes only and is not to be construed as medical advice. Persons with breast cancer should consult their health care provider with specific questions or concerns about their treatment.
 

 

 

Raising Awareness for Male Breast Cancer at the 3-Day

Jake Messier is living with metastatic breast cancer and is seen at chemotherapy.

Jake M.,54, is preparing to walk his first Susan G. Komen Boston 3-Day® with one goal in mind: to raise awareness that men can get breast cancer, too. 

In 2023, Jake discovered a lump in his armpit while putting on deodorant. 

“In the moment, I thought it was weird, but I went on with my day,” Jake said. “Guys aren’t taught that when we find a lump, we should tell somebody.” 

He didn’t mention it until a routine physical months later. 

“My primary care physician listed off about 10 things that it could be and none of them were breast cancer,” Jake recalled. “But I’m thankful he wanted to be ultra sure and sent me for an ultrasound and mammogram, and then that snowballed to a biopsy.” 

Jake was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer—but he believes it was likely more advanced. 

Jake Messier and his wife are preparing to walk in the Susan G. Komen Boston 3-Day.

“I know I was likely misdiagnosed stage 2 and was actually stage 3,” Jake explained. “Then about a year later when it traveled to my hip, that’s when it metastasized.” 

Since then, he has undergone chemotherapy, a mastectomy, two additional surgeries and 10 weeks of radiation therapy. He also recently spent six weeks in a wheelchair after a hip biopsy.  

From Diagnosis to Advocacy 

Over the last two and a half years, Jake has turned his metastatic breast cancer (MBC) diagnosis into a personal mission.  

“Breast cancer is still seen as the pink disease—a woman’s disease,” Jake said. “I’m hoping to try and change that through the advocacy I do and by walking in the Komen 3-Day.” 

Through his TikTok account @theguywithstage4breastcancer, Jake shares his story to raise awareness and remind men to listen to their bodies and speak up when something doesn’t seem right.  

“If I can make an impact with whatever time I left have,” he said. “I want it to be this: men can get breast cancer.”  

Jake Messier takin a selfie at his chemotherapy appointment.

Putting the MEN in KOMEN 

That mission is what’s driving Jake to walk in the Boston 3-Day this summer. With his team, Putting the MEN in KOMEN, he hopes to raise $10,000 and bring greater visibility to male breast cancer. 

“The Boston 3-Day is a big event,” he said. “If people see me, a man, holding a sign that says men can get breast cancer too, and they remember that—that matters and that is huge.” 

To register for the 3-Day, visit the3day.org. 

Statements and opinions expressed are those of the individual and do not express the views or opinions of Susan G. Komen. This information is being provided for educational purposes only and is not to be construed as medical advice. Persons with breast cancer should consult their health care provider with specific questions or concerns about their treatment.
 

Jacki P.’s 3-Day Story: 78 and Still Showing Up

Jacki P. at the Susan G. Komen 3-Day.

When Jacki P. was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1996, she was terrified. Today, at 78, she is a survivor who—after 20 years of participation—remains deeply committed to the Susan G. Komen 3-Day®. 

“Last year, I thought I should hang up my shoes because it’s so hard to raise fundraising dollars at my age,” Jacki said. “But when a former teammate was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer, I realized I can’t stop. I need to do more.” 

The Mammogram That Changed Everything 

Jacki’s life changed with a routine mammogram in 1996. Shortly after the exam, she received a phone call from a breast cancer surgeon that changed everything. 

“My thoughts immediately started racing,” Jacki recalled. “Will I see my children grow up? Would I be there to attend their high school graduations and weddings, or hold my grandbabies? I was terrified.”  

At that time, most of what Jacki heard about breast cancer were the “horror stories” about being sick, scarring and pain from treatment. Jacki’s breast cancer was caught early, a fact she credits with saving her life.   

“The lump was deep,” she said. “I never would have found it on my own.” 

Jacki underwent a mastectomy and chemotherapy. In August, she celebrated her 29th year of survivorship. 

 

A New Perspective  

Jacki P. celebrating 29 years of breast cancer survivorship.

Surviving breast cancer changed how Jacki viewed life. She became more mindful of her health, more grounded in gratitude for her family and more committed to paying it forward. She said she listens more, helps where she can and still treasures every day. 

“Cancer becomes part of your soul. It never really leaves you,” Jacki said. “Even now, it brings tears to my eyes. There’s always that question in the back of my mind: ‘Will it come back?’”  

Rather than living in fear, Jacki has chosen to keep moving forward with purpose. 

20 Years of the Komen 3-Day 

Jacki first participated in the Komen 3-Day in Arizona in 2005 and later joined Team Las Bombas. In 2021, the team reached the Million Dollar Team milestone. In 2025, Jacki spoke at the Denver 3-Day and achieved her personal lifetime  goal of $50,000. But, she’s not done yet. 

“I’ve walked for 20 years, crewed four times and have met the most incredible people,” she said with a smile. “Although I am 78, I am still in very good condition.” 

Jacki P. at the Susan G. Komen San Diego 3-Day.

This year, Jacki plans to walk the San Diego 3-Day and crew in Tampa Bay. The support and connection within the 3-Day community are what keep Jacki coming back year after year. 

“There’s still work to do. That’s why I keep walking and crewing,” Jacki said. “That’s why we all keep doing the 3-Day. Until breast cancer is behind us, we’ll keep showing up.”