Beth N. is the 2023 Chicago Milestone Award Winner!

Our 2023 Chicago 3-Day Milestone Award Winner is 44-time participant Beth N.!

Over the past 17 years, Beth N. has participated in 44 3-Days and has raised a grand total of $122,328. She is known to be a walking, talking 3-Day encyclopedia and if she doesn’t know the answer to a 3-Day question, she’ll find it for you. She has dedicated a huge part of her life to building the 3-Day family, raising funds for the cause, and being a friend to everyone at the 3-Day. Beth’s friend describes her as “one of the most welcoming people that I have ever met” stating that “when newbies are searching for guidance, Beth will show them the way.” Get to know Beth and how she truly personifies what it means to be part of the Pink Bubble ― encouraging, motivating and inspiring!

What was your inspiration to participate in your first 3-Day? 

Honestly, at my first 3-Day in 2002, I didn’t know anyone who had breast cancer. It was the first time an event like this had been in Michigan and I was testing myself to see if I could actually walk 60 miles! Then, of course, I fell in love with everyone in the Pink Bubble and couldn’t stop!

What has brought you back to the 3-Day year after year?

Knowing that I’m making a difference in someone’s life with the money I’m raising each year brings me back each year. That and, of course, my addiction to the Pink Bubble! 😂

What is the secret to your 3-Day fundraising success?

It is no secret that I’ve got the best support system around! My friends and family are always there to support each fundraiser I hold, buy my card boxes, ask me to make a quilt or just donate to my 3-Day account. I am truly blessed!

What is your best advice to anyone walking the 3-Day?

Just do it! Don’t think about it too hard or you might talk yourself out of it. It seems daunting, yes, but if you take the plunge, you won’t regret it. There’s such a large team of coaches and participants who will help you on your journey and it will be one of the best weekends of your life!

What are the most important lessons you’ve learned on the 3-Day?

Take time to stop and smell the roses, make a new friend, be a friend, give and receive hugs, and believe in yourself. We are all wildly capable of doing amazing things as long as we just believe!

2022 San Diego 3-Day Milestone Award Winner

Congratulations to our 2022 San Diego 3-Day Milestone Award Winner Gemma G.! Gemma has participated in 13 3-Days over 10 years and has raised over $224,000 in the fight against breast cancer. We asked Gemma a few questions about her experience with the 3-Day:

What was your inspiration to do your first 3-Day?  

The first time I heard about the 3-Day was through a commercial. I remember someone on the commercial saying something like, “I didn’t think I could do it. I didn’t think I could walk 60 miles” and my eyes opened up to this; my heart was in it, and here I am today! My mom said it was meant to be, and here I am, still putting one foot in front of the other.

What has brought you back to the 3-Day year after year?

I have made so many friends, and my job isn’t done yet. I have lost many friends and family to cancer and I want to help make a difference.

What is your best advice to anyone walking the 3-Day?

Have fun and train!

What are the most important lessons you’ve learned on the 3-Day?

It isn’t easy, but raising the money takes more than just myself. The small community I live in is still behind me 110%. Their support is amazing! I might “walk the walk,” but without my family, friends and continued support of my community, I wouldn’t be able to do what I do.

Coach Staci shared a brief testimonial about Gemma:

“Gemma is the epitome of selflessness. Over the years, she has done it all: from organizing a local run/walk to recycling. In the process she has found a way to inspire her very small community to rally behind her 110%. Gemma’s success has become her community’s passion and she is humbled by their outpouring of support.”

Congratulations, Gemma, and thank you for your dedication to the 3-Day!

2022 Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day Milestone Award Winner

If you’ve ever participated in a Susan G. Komen 3-Day event, you’ve probably seen or talked to Jennifer S. Participating in 28 events over eight years, Jennifer has raised more than $91,000 to date! We talked to Jennifer about what the 3-Day means to her and even got a testimonial from her team, Pink Soles in Motion.

What was your inspiration to do your first 3-Day?

My girlfriend, who had walked before, suggested that we walk after I finished my treatment. I was excited to show cancer that it was not the boss of me ― it could not dictate how I would live! I went after it, determined to be successful; to raise the money and walk all 60 miles. Whew! It changed me forever.

What has brought you back to the 3-Day year after year?

I walk because I can’t walk away. That is true and there is so much more. A few hours into my first walk, I discovered that it was not about me at all, it was so much bigger. Everyone there had a story, a compelling reason for their participation, and I was overwhelmed, inspired and committed. Then, oh my heart, the young women I see in the survivor circle. This is so wrong; young women should not have to make these hard decisions.

Somehow, once you are part of this world, you tend to meet people who are also part of this world. Do you know what I mean? I am reminded all the time of the importance of the money we raise. I am not a scientist or a doctor, but I can raise money.

Finally, being part of our community fills my bucket. The joy, kindness and shared higher purpose of our walkers, crew and volunteers lifts me up. I believe it’s the world the way it should be, could be.

What is the secret to your 3-Day fundraising success?

I wish I had a secret :). I have been so fortunate; blessed really by people who have jumped in to help, and some who contribute every year. I am pretty much fundraising ALL the time; it might be considered an obsession. I have learned how to ask. I use the Facebook fundraiser and ask for my birthday, Christmas and of course October ― Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I tell everyone I meet what I am doing, ask them to join me and ask for a donation. I do tithe to myself, a little bit each month. I sell filled Easter eggs every year and hide them for an extra charge. Our team has a golf tournament, sells wreaths at the holidays and tamales for Christmas. I was blessed to have a couple of matchers help me this year which made a huge difference.

What is your best advice to anyone walking the 3-Day?

Oh gosh. Train; train in the shoes, socks, clothes and pack you intend to use for the event. Resist the temptation to purchase something new the night or the week before. Find some veteran walkers and pick their brains. Then, relax and enjoy the event. It’s 60 miles whether you walk the whole way or ride in the sweep vans a bit. There is no judgement on the 3-Day.

What’s a fun fact about you?

My fun fact is that I learned to ice skate at the ripe old age of 44 and earned a gold medal in a senior competition.

Jennifer’s team, Pink Soles in Motion, provided a brief testimonial about her:

“Everyone knows Jennifer because she is a cheerleader, a motivator, and a supporter and because Pink Soles in Motion has named her our unofficial 3-Day ambassador. Jennifer’s dedication to the 3-Day and Pink Soles in Motion has helped raise awareness for the cause and made the Pink Bubble an even better place to be. We wouldn’t be surprised if she bleeds pink! So, for a good time…walk with Jennifer!! Congratulations Jennifer! We love you.”

Congratulations, Jennifer, on receiving this award, and for all of the accomplishments you’ve achieved from funds raised to the amount of years participated in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day! Stay tuned for our last 2022 Milestone Award Winner Blog for the San Diego 3-Day and read about our other Milestone Award Winners here.