Introducing the 2017 Michigan Susan G. Komen 3-Day Honor Speakers

We began our 2017 Susan G. Komen 3-Day season in Michigan with an inspiring and beautiful Opening Ceremony as the sun rose above the Walled Lake Western High School. Walkers, crew members, and supporters joined their hearts and hopes in the shared promise of bringing about the end of breast cancer, one footstep at a time. In every city this year, we will be having one of our amazing participants co-host the Opening Ceremony. Take some time to get to know our Opening Ceremony speakers, who moved us to tears and action as we began our 60-mile journey.

Renee Barney – My Family

It is my honor to walk the 3-Day, and I am continually humbled and amazed at the generosity of people. This year is my tenth year walking, and all three of my daughters are participating with me because we’re fighting for a world without breast cancer. I’m Renee, and I am More Than Pink.

Nancy Sinelli – My Daughter

I am walking for my incredible daughter, Gina Guerreso, who has shown me and our family what the words courage, strength, positivity and determination truly mean. She has been an example to all of us and we will hold her in our hearts as we walk each step of this 60-mile journey. I’m Nancy, and I am More Than Pink.

Lisa Zenker – My Aunt

My sister and I started walking in 2011 because our mom fought breast cancer for 15 years. We had an amazing childhood with such great memories, but we grew up knowing breast cancer. A few months after our first 3-Day, our mom lost her battle. This 3-Day, I will walk with my Aunt Judy and Aunt Linda close to my heart. They’ve both survived breast cancer in recent years and I’m so proud of them. I’m Lisa and I am More Than Pink.

Gretchen Pitluk – My Mother

There are many reasons why I walk, but today, I have the honor of remembering my mother, Suzanne Pitluk, who passed away from breast cancer in 2011. She was a mother, sister, and many other titles, but most importantly, she was a warrior against breast cancer. This weekend, as I walk with my daughter, Mia, we will channel my mother’s passion, love, and fighting spirit. I’m Gretchen and I am More Than Pink.

Hannah Shore – My Grandmother

In 2008, my grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Luckily, because of early detection, she is now a 9-year survivor. This is my first 3-Day, and I walk for both of my grandmothers. I’m Hannah and I am More Than Pink.

Kathie Lienemann – My Sister

I walk with my sister who was diagnosed at age 35, but today is a 19-year survivor. I walk because every year when I get my mammogram, I’m afraid. Afraid I’ll hear those words. I walk because it is time to end it. I’m Kathie and I am More Than Pink.

Beth Northman – Ceremony Host

I started walking in the 3-Day not knowing anyone that had been affected by breast cancer. But in the past 16 years, I’ve had eight teammates diagnosed with breast cancer, the most recent had surgery just a few months ago and is currently undergoing chemotherapy. I continue to walk for these brave women, my friends, and for all those who have battled breast cancer. I’m Beth, and I am More Than Pink.

Michigan 3-Day Event Preview

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The Michigan 3-Day is this week, and as you get ready for the event, we have a preview of what to expect on our first 3-Day of the year! There are some fun new updates this year, but for those who return to Michigan again and again… you’ll be happy to see some familiar sights as well!

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The first, and biggest update is that we will be camping outside this year at Novi Middle School! The Wildcats will be hosting our 3-Day camp on both nights, allowing us to take advantage of the great summer Michigan weather. We know the camp site is usually indoors, but even outside, you don’t have to worry about too much noise or brightness at the new camp site. The camp site is safely away from any noise or light that would interfere with your 3-Day beauty sleep.

Our Michigan Event Production Manager, Ann Love, previously Michigan’s Coach, is very excited about the new spot!

“We’re working hard this year to make the camp more festive! Hopefully you will notice how high energy it feels, and see that there’s plenty to do in camp. The sleeping area is tucked away in a nice, grassy park area. Once you see it, I think you will be pleasantly surprised and thrilled!”

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Aside from camp, each of the 60 miles will also be fun-filled!

Day One starts at Walled Lake Western High School and will walk by Walled Lake to kick off Day One. We have walked by the lake in past years, but you will see more of it this year, along with beaches and parks. The views will be great! After that, the route will take us in and around the city of Novi, and returning walkers will see lots of familiar places.

You’ll see Pavilion Shore Park, Novi Ten Shopping Center and Novi Meadows!

Day Two will also feature familiar locations, with the highlight (and one of Ann’s favorite spots!) being the arrival into the city of Plymouth. That’s where we will all enter the park with the now famous “Pink Fountain,” an excellent spot for photos! After that, we will pass through the city of Northville, and if you’ve walked before, you will recognize portions of the rest of Day Two’s afternoon route. However, there will be plenty of new sites to see, too!

Spots to look out for are Cass Benton and Kellogg Park as well as Northville Downs.

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As in past years, Day Three starts with a bus ride (feel free to sing as we drive!) where we will begin walking at Livonia and then through the Dearborn neighborhood. This will include walking through the Dearborn Homecoming Festival, which Ann promises will be full of fun and great sights!

We will have new sights to see as we walk through Ford Field Park. This was on our route a few years ago, and since it was such a popular walking route, we are bringing it back this year!

Ann explains, “We are always trying to give everyone more of what they like!”

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We will finish, as usual, at Ford World Headquarters for our celebratory Closing Ceremony.

All along the route, you’ll be cheered on by the Michigan community, and get to stop by our festive pit stops every few miles. Ann says you can expect to see the Michigan BooBees (a honeybee theme) at Pit Stop One, as well as Wild West, Dr. Seuss, and more exciting Pit Stops all along the route.

For more of our favorite sights from the Michigan 3-Day, check out our photo slideshow!

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What are you looking forward to most on the Michigan 3-Day? Tell us in the comments! And, if you have any more questions, your Michigan Coaches are here to help!

Michigan Coaches’ Favorite Memories

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It’s officially the two-week countdown to our 2017 Michigan 3-Day! Who is getting excited? Our Michigan 3-Day Coaches sure are! Coaches Jennifer, Gina and Heather can’t wait to welcome all the Michigan walkers to their home state—whether you’re a fellow local or flying in from out of town—and get started on the journey with you.

While we count down the days, the coaches shared some of their favorite memories of 3-Days past, why they can’t wait for this year’s walk, and more!

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What are your favorite memories of the Michigan 3-Days past?

Gina: The community! Our Michigan community is one that is unique, spirited and wonderful all wrapped into one. For 3 days, you’ll find the streets lined with supporters cheering on our participants, and sharing in the vision of a world without breast cancer. Just like we need our Michigan participants, we need those who lift our walkers and crew members and share in their 3-Day journey through cheers heard all weekend.

Jennifer: Well, many of my favorite memories happen behind the scenes with my co-workers when we are being very silly. It happens when you work long hours like we do but we have so much fun doing it. One memory that stands out is surprising team Breast Man Walking with fountain diet cokes on the route. We had passed them and came across a convenience store so we swung in and I literally popped out of the bushes with diet cokes in my hands to surprise them with a treat.

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Tell us a great Youth Corps memory!

Jennifer: I love seeing the kids blossom over the course of the weekend. They seem a little shy on Thursday but by Sunday they are cheering and dancing and having so much fun. How can you not smile about that?

Gina: I just love the Youth Corps, our friends in yellow! Some come to the 3-Day more shy than others, but by the end of the weekend they are the ones dancing on stage and greeting the walkers into camp. Our Youth Corps kids form lasting friendships and many go onto to become walkers themselves. It’s a beautiful thing to give back and be part of something bigger than yourself and our Youth Corps is learning this lesson from a young age.

Do you have any memories or fun stories about your fellow coaches?

Gina: I have known Jennifer for many years and have been recently blessed to meet Heather. What I can say about them both is that there is never a dull moment. Can’t wait to see what adventures the Michigan 3-Day brings! I know for sure we’ll work hard but have lots of laughs.

What are some of your favorite Michigan spots?

Heather: My favorite place to eat is J. Baldwins on the Eastside in Clinton Township. My favorite place to play would have to be my cottage in Lexington.

Jennifer: Along the route, I love Plymouth for sure! And on Sunday, the very long line of cheerleaders.

What are you looking forward to on this year’s walk?

Heather: I’m looking forward to getting the behind-the-scenes experience as a staff member as opposed to my past experience as a walker. Kind of like getting a glimpse of Oz behind the curtain!

Jennifer: Working with my new partner in crime, Coach Heather!

What are your favorite Michigan 3-Day memories? What are you looking forward to this year? Share with us in the comments!