Congratulations to the San Diego Milestone Award Winner, Debbie M.!

As we have done at every Susan G. Komen 3-Day® event this year, we took a moment during the Friday night camp show to recognize the Milestone Award winner for the San Diego 3-Day. This award is given at each 3-Day to a walker whose history of participation in the 3-Day stands out, and for San Diego, we were pleased to honor Debbie M. from Huntington Beach, CA.

susan g. komen 3-Day breast cancer walk blog milestone award winner san diego debbie

Debbie and Dr. Sheri share a moment at the Friday night camp show

The 2014 San Diego 3-Day is Debbie’s 13^th event. Debbie, a self-described “food, wine and animal lover” has been an active San Diego walker since 2002. That was the year she founded the team Surf City Tittys, which has become one of the longest-standing teams on the San Diego event. Collectively, the team has raised nearly a million dollars during its history; on her own, Debbie has raised an incredible $73,592.

The 3-Day and the breast cancer cause are close to Debbie’s heart and home. She is a two-time survivor, and a carrier of the BRCA gene (as are 13 of her family members, including her daughter). She is outspokenly dedicated to finding a cure, and it shows through her outstanding commitment to the 3-Day.

Congratulations to you, Debbie! We’re so proud and happy to have you as part of our family.

Congratulations to the Atlanta 3-Day Milestone Award Winner, Mary Anne W.!

Please join us in congratulating Mary Anne W., the Susan G. Komen Atlanta 3-Day Milestone Award Winner! This is Mary Anne’s 12^th year with the Komen 3-Day, and her 12^th event. She has raised a lifetime total of a staggering $74,900, and is the Team Captain of the Breast Defense League. Mary Anne first got involved with the 3-Day in 1998, when a co-worker challenged her to participate. “I had no idea what I was getting into,” Mary Anne laughed. Mary Anne has been participating in the 3-Day since 1998, when it was in Santa Barbara. She’s walked all over the country, including Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, D.C.

Like so many others who are involved with the 3-Day, Mary Anne calls the 3-Day a “life-changing experience”. Over the years, she has met so many walkers and made friends from all walks of life. Her 3-Day friends are above and beyond other friendships in her life, a belief we find that is shared among all members of the 3-Day.

Please join us in thanking Mary Anne for her dedicated service to the 3-Day, and for helping us continue the fight in a world without breast cancer. We will never give up!

Congratulations to Bert S., the Michigan 3-Day’s Milestone Award Winner!

Congratulations to Bert S., the Susan G. Komen Michigan 3-Day Milestone Award Winner, who has raised approximately $175,000 over the 10 events he’s participated in (nine in Michigan, and one in Chicago.)

Bert’s inspiration to walk his first Komen 3-Day came after a very dear friend of his was diagnosed with breast cancer. “Her husband and I felt helpless and just felt we needed to do something. We formed our “Mavens” team and that first year was literally life changing for both of us, and we’ve been walking every year, ever since. I am happy to report that my friend has beaten breast cancer – she’s a survivor!” said Bert. (Bert, 81, laughs as he describes the meaning behind his team name — “The wise guys!”, and Bert’s wife, whom he calls “his maven”, defines as a knowledgeable person.)

Milestone Award Winner Bert on his way to 60 miles on Day 2 of the Susan G. Komen Michigan 3-Day

Bert says that fundraising letters have been the key to his success. Bert’s assistant of 34 years, Pam, helps Bert write his fundraising letter. “It wouldn’t happen without Pam,” he said. Bert also notes how details are important when it comes to sending out fundraising letters, as they can help guarantee your success and help your donors realize what they will accomplish by supporting you. “We probably sent out 145 letters this year and we got about 142 responses. You have to tell people how far we’ve come in conquering the disease. And, what a wonderful percentage of recovery we have today.”

As a veteran 3-Day walker, Bert said that his best advice to anyone walking the 3-Day is to train, train, train. “I cannot put enough emphasis on training — start with short distances and work your way up. Stay focused on “finishing” the event,” he said. Bert also adds that in his personal experience, after about fourteen miles, completing the walk is “all mental”.

Like many 3-Day walkers, Bert is aware of the risk of breast cancer and how it can change a family. Bert has been married for 60 years, to his wife Marion, and he has four daughters, three granddaughters, and a grandson. “I have a lot of good friends who have been touched one way or another by this disease. It’s their mother, their grandmother, their wife…This disease can hit anyone at any time and I literally walk today so that someday, there will be no reason to walk. I have met some amazing people over the years and they continue to inspire me with every step of every walk.” You inspire us too, Bert.