Tag Archives: Milestone Award Winner

Congratulations to the 2018 Dallas/Fort-Worth 3-Day Milestone Award Winner, Karen McEnheimer

Karen McEnheimer 2018

Please join us in congratulating our 2018 Dallas/Fort Worth Milestone Award Winner; Karen McEnheimer! The Susan G. Komen 3-Day® Milestone Award is given at each event to a walker or crew member who has an outstanding history of participation in the Komen 3-Day. At the Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day camp show, we presented Karen with this special honor.

Karen is a part of Team Traveling TaTa’s, and has participated in the 3-Day since 2007. She has walked or crewed in Atlanta, DC, Philadelphia, San Diego, Boston, Twin Cities, Seattle, San Diego, Michigan, and now finally Dallas/Fort Worth. She has raised almost $8,000 for the Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day this year and has surpassed $101,000 in 18 events so far.

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Her friend Margie Wimbish thinks Karen is “so deserving” of this award.

“She is a fundraising machine. She will stand outside of Wal-Mart in the cold and rain or if it 100 degrees. She is the energizer bunny of fundraising!”

Mary Ripine echoes, and then expands, on this excitement for Karen.

“For Karen, it is not just about the fundraising; it is about the people she meets and their stories. She met a woman who was recently diagnosed while fundraising outside of Wal-Mart. She really connected with her and even shared her information to take the women to her doctor appointments!

One time, Mary had a fundraiser and when Karen saw she had no one to help her, she went home changed into her 3-Day gear and came and helped out for hours and did not take any of the proceeds. To say that Karen is dedicated to the 3-Day, and every member of her 3-Day family, is an understatement.

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After all those kind words, we had to hear from Karen herself.

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

I was diagnosed with what they thought was a metastasized tumor in my neck, with the primary site in either my bones,my lungs or my breasts. Since breast cancer runs in the family that is where my mind was going. After I awoke from surgery I was told that it was a 4×5 centimeter staph infection and it had diseased my vertebrae. I decided to walk the following year.

I could not imagine going through radiation and chemo. I had to sit at home for 18 weeks on IV antibiotics and that was horrific enough for me. That was in 2007 that I started this journey and one of my sisters was diagnosed in 2008 two weeks before I walked my second walk in Washington, DC. I have been walking 12 years and just completed my 16 and 17th walks and hit my goal of 100 grand this year.

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

The first time I experienced closing ceremonies and we lifted our right shoe to the survivors I was hooked. I have been to one closing in the Twin Cities where they also get down on one knee while holding their shoe to the survivors.

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

I believe in what I am doing and have never been as passionate about anything as I am about this walk and what steps have been made as a result of it. I am grateful today that as a result my sister is a 12 year survivor. Also, I am not afraid to ask anyone for that donation.

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

Enjoy yourself and take in everything that you can. It truly can make or break your experience. Talk to folks along the way and give them a piece of yourself that they can take home with their memories. I like to do a bit from Mrs. Doubtfire. When someone passes me I give them a very soft pinch on the arm and tell them that it is a Monkey Bite for passing me. I also tell them that it will get harder each time that they pass me. I have been called the Monkey Bite Lady many times and it gives us something to laugh about each time we see each other all weekend.

What’s a fun fact about you?

I have been told countless times that I need to be a stand up comedian. As much of a social butterfly that I am there is one thing that most do not know about me. I have a fear of speaking in front of crowds of people. I clam up! I had to have a fellow walker stand up and hold my hand while I gave a eulogy at a funeral to help support me while I stood there. I love spending time with my grandchildren and riding the motorcycle with my hubby. I will walk as long as these legs and feet will take me.

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

That you should never give up on something when you heart and soul are involved.  Give from your heart and you will receive 10 fold in ways that you could never have imagined.

Congratulations to the 2018 Atlanta 3-Day Milestone Award Winner, Carol Ann Payne-Johnson

Carol Payne Johnson- Atlanta Milestone Winner

Please join us in congratulating our 2018 Atlanta Milestone Award Winner; Carol Ann Payne-Johnson! The Susan G. Komen 3-Day® Milestone Award is given at each event to a walker or crew member who has an outstanding history of participation in the Komen 3-Day. At the Atlanta 3-Day camp show, we presented Carol Ann with this special honor.

Her friend David Schwarz said he has had “the honor of knowing Carol Ann for many years. She has a contagious love of life and endless compassion for others. It is my absolute pleasure to be able to honor her in any way I can, for all she does, especially her daily acts of kindness that most people never see.”

Friend Cathy Dorfman added that, “Carol Ann is AMAZING. Having been diagnosed with stage 2 BC I cannot tell you how much I appreciate her unwavering support and dedication to finding a cure.   It is awe inspiring and the commitment she has made and kept even more so – we need many more like her to defeat this killer.”

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We also heard from Carol Ann in her own words. We she answered our questions, she didn’t know yet that she’d be receiving this award!

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

I work in our 24- hour prayer room at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church. 19 years ago, in April of 1999, I received 14 requests for prayer from ladies with a breast cancer diagnosis in one day! I just couldn’t get that off my heart and mind, and I prayed about how I might do more – God always answers prayer, and literally, within three days, I had a flyer about the 3- day Avon ( at the time) walk, and signed up to do it.

What brings you back year after year?

I hope to continue walking until breast cancer is eradicated!

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Tell us the secret to your fundraising success! 

I have many corporate clients and friends, and they are very generous because they all have someone they know and love who have or have not survived breast cancer. In my fundraising letter, I always remind them of the latest statistics, and ask them to name someone or more  than one they are donating on behalf of. I then walk with those names on my backpack on pink ribbons, then send the pink ribbon to the person named with a hand-written note. People are very grateful for the personal touch.

Give your best advice to anyone walking 3-Day.

 

Buy good shoes, train, and be prepared to hear stories that will motivate you to walk year after year.

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What’s a fun fact about you?

I have been in 109 countries, and one year, I trained on all seven continents! Plus, I’m a crack shot at archery ?

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned on 3-Day?

It is a blessing in my own life to serve others this way.   We must all understand how important it is to be kind to others even in an anonymous way, and that every conclusion in research that can save a life is worthwhile.

Congratulations to the 2018 Philadelphia 3-Day Milestone Award Winner, Ron MacDonald

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Please join us in congratulating our 2018 Philadelphia Milestone Award Winner; Ron MacDonald! The Susan G. Komen 3-Day® Milestone Award is given at each event to a walker or crew member who has an outstanding history of participation in the Komen 3-Day. At the Philadelphia 3-Day camp show, we presented Ron with this special honor.

To his family and friends, Ron is the consummate 3-Dayer, filled with love, compassionate and dedication.

His daughter Darcie said, “When I talked my Dad into walking the 3-Day 9 years ago, I had no idea what his journey would look like. Nine walks later, 540 miles (not counting training), thousands of dollars raised, a tattoo on his arm with our team logo saying “NO More Goodbyes.” I can honestly say finding a cure for breast cancer has become a part of who my Dad is. Even now that he is battling his own cancer his determination to walk with all of you is even stronger. My Dad is a hero who’s love and passion to make a difference is contagious. My Dad walks to END breast cancer. He walks for all of you!”

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His grandchild Riley echoed that sense of family pride and love.

“I could not be any prouder of my Grandfather for being the recipient of this award.  My Grampy has dedicated so much of his time to help the fight against breast cancer.  He supports his teammates who have all become his best friends or as he likes to call them his “girlfriends”.  Even in spite of his own discovery of cancer it has never stopped motivating him to fight and help those who can’t.  After all his treatments this year all he could talk about is his excitement to walk with his team.  My Grampy has never let anything stop him from fulfilling his goal of making a difference and walking 60 miles.  My Grampy is a superhero.  I am so lucky and honored to walk 60 miles by his side.”

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Teammate Suzanne Higgins described what it’s like walking alongside Ron as one full of kindness and laughter. He is “the rock” of their team, and she is proud to call him her friend.

 “Ron is the beating male heart of our team. Literally, he’s the only man and he treats us and cares for us as though we were his own daughters.

Ron embodies “Milestone” – he literally puts down his head and pounds out the 60 “miles” like nobody’s business *and* he is the “stone/rock” of our team! […]

Above all, Ron has the biggest, most generous heart. He is fully committed to our team, No More Goodbyes…his pink daughters. And, we love him as the father of our team…our beloved 3-Day Dad.

Teammate Janet Daley said Ron is “a true team player! Whenever any one of us was low on funds he would share his donations with the team.  He never wanted his girls to not be able to walk with him.”

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Kristina Libby talked about his speed as well as his generosity, and says upon meeting him 9 years go, she was instantly shocked to witness a gentle giant walk so fast.”

Another one of his teammates, Deb Margolis seconded that sentiment, promising that Ron will almost always be at the front of the line. But she says he also never complains. You will “see him with a big smile on his face and hear him by his loud laugh.”

Kristina probably summed him up best when she said, “Ron is a dad, granddad, husband and a fantastic teammate. Everything he does he does with passion. He is determined to find a cure for cancer. For himself, for me, and for all the other men and women who have fought this battle. Ron means the world to me because we mean the world to Ron.”

After all of these amazing expressions of support, we then had to hear from Ron in his own words!

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

My daughter! She walked and wanted me to walk with her. Unfortunately, I was extremely overweight bracket (350 lbs) and couldn’t do it. She inspired me to lose weight – 175 pounds!  That provided me with the inspiration to do the walk.

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

Mainly the team of girls, No More Goodbyes! They have instilled in me how important the cause is and also the bonding I’ve developed with the team over the past nine years

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

A strong sincere letter/email explaining what the 3-Day is what the donations are used for. Our team has raised approximately $500,000 over the past years 10 years.

I also remind potential donors that I am a CPA and that all the money that they contribute to the 3-Day is fully deductible.

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

Have fun, remember to enjoy the experience, pray for no rain and few hills.

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

In spite of the blisters and aching muscles one endures during the walk,  it pales in comparison to what those effected with breast cancer experience.