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.

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.

Heather’s Story: Honoring a Loved One on Memorial Mile

Heather Bryan walks in the San Diego 3-Day in memory of her cousin-in-law, Kelly.

There’s a one-mile stretch of the Susan G. Komen San Diego 3-Day® that’s especially bittersweet for Heather B.—Memorial Mile.

Memorial Mile is a powerful part of every 3-Day route where walkers pass signs honoring those who have died from breast cancer. Each sign features a person’s name and a photo, placed there by loved ones who are walking in their memory. It’s both beautiful and emotional, reminding walkers exactly why they’re participating.

For Heather, that mile carries a deeply personal meaning.

“That last mile on day two is the hardest mile for me,” Heather said. “It is difficult turning the corner and seeing Kelly’s picture there on Memorial Mile.”

Road to the 3-Day

In 2014, Heather set a personal goal to participate in 14 walking events as a way to prioritize her well-being.

Around the same time, her husband’s cousins, Kelly and her sister Tracy, were thinking about walking the 3-Day in Arizona. Although they didn’t end up walking that year, they joined Heather at another breast cancer event in Central Oregon.

Shortly before the event, Kelly had to undergo a biopsy after her doctor suspected breast cancer.

“I encouraged them both to come to the event still, and they did,” Heather said.

During the walk, Kelly connected with other participants and members of the breast cancer community. Just a few days later, she was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer.

After Kelly’s diagnosis, Heather set a new goal: she wanted to walk in the 2015 Seattle 3-Day the following year, in her honor. Even though Kelly couldn’t be there physically, she supported Heather every step of the way.

“Throughout the walk, she and I were exchanging text messages, and she was giving me words of encouragement,” Heather recalled.

Kelly responded well to treatment and then went into remission.

“I decided to come back to the 3-Day in 2021 and walk in San Diego when her cancer had come back and it wasn’t responding to treatment,” Heather explained. “She passed in August 2022.”

That November, Heather walked for the first time in memory of Kelly at the San Diego 3-Day. She has continued to walk in her memory and placed a sign for Kelly in the Memorial Mile in 2023 and 2025. She will do so again this year.

“It was really hard that first year when I saw her smile on the Memorial Mile sign,” Heather said. “But the support from the Pink Bubble is absolutely amazing.”

That experience deepened Heather’s sense of connection to everyone honored along that mile.

“These are people’s loved ones that others are walking for,” Heather said. “I make it a point when I’m walking into camp at night to say every person’s name on every sign and recognize every person that is there.”

Heather B. and supporters at the Susan G. Komen 3-Day

Walking for Many

This year, Heather will walk her sixth 3-Day in San Diego as “Team Kelly.” Over the years, her brother has joined, and she has walked alongside other friends she met at the 3-Day.

With every event, her passion for the Pink Bubble continues to grow.

So does the list of people she walks for.

“I carry a running list of names with me on all the 3-Days, whether they are survivors or they have passed away,” Heather said. “I want to honor every one of them.”

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