Congratulations to the 2015 Atlanta 3-Day Award Winners

At the Susan G. Komen Atlanta 3-Day, we were delighted to shine the spotlight on some of our outstanding Komen 3-Day participants with special awards given out in camp.

Top Fundraisers

We recognized the top individual, crew and team fundraisers for the Atlanta 3-Day® in camp on Saturday.

The top crew fundraiser in Atlanta was Pamella Whitham, who was a member of the lunch crew. Pamella, a breast cancer survivor, has been part of the 3-Day for 12 years, with this year’s Atlanta 3-Day being her 12^th event. As a crew member this year, she raised an incredible $8,515; her lifetime fundraising total is $47,175. When she’s not traveling the country for 3-Day events, Pamella is a realtor in Malibu, CA, and lives with her husband Bob who raises Budgies (parakeets).The top fundraising team in Atlanta was Grand Ta Ta’s. On most 3-Day events, the top fundraising team is also the largest team, but in Atlanta, it was quite the opposite. The Grand Ta Ta’s are made up of only five team members and together, they raised $80,400. In their five years as a team, this group has raised an astonishing $503,600. Amazing!

4 of the 5 Grand Ta Ta’s team members at Opening Ceremony in Atlanta

The captain of the Grand Ta Ta’s, Christi-Ann Wiltberger, was also Atlanta’s top individual fundraiser, bringing in $40,000 on her own (fundraising awesomeness must run in the family; Christi-Ann’s sister Jennifer, a Grand Ta Ta’s teammate, was the #3 fundraiser in Atlanta, raising over $20,000).

Our thanks and applause go to all of the wonderful walkers, crew members and supporters who helped bring the Atlanta 3-Day to $2.2 million in total donations.

Milestone Award

Tara, the local coach for the Atlanta 3-Day, joined us on stage on Friday night to recognize the Atlanta 3-Day Milestone Award winner. This award is given on each 3-Day event to one participant who has an extraordinary history of involvement with the 3-Day. The Milestone Award for Atlanta was presented to Shelley Middleton.

Shelley, a 21-year breast cancer survivor, told us that her favorite number is 3 and her favorite color has always been pink, even before her diagnosis, so it seems like she was always destined to be part of the 3-Day family. She first took part in the 3-Day 9 years ago, and this year’s Atlanta 3-Day marks her 9th event. In her history with the 3-Day, Shelley has raised over $69,000.

Shelley and coach Tara

Shelley, a mother of 13-year-old triplets, has quite the team supporting her at home, but is part of a small team of two on the 3-Day. Her sister Susie is her teammate on Nancy’s Angels; the team is named for their mom, who passed 32 years ago. Susie had this to say about her sister: “Shelley is such a fighter and a strong 21-year survivor who gives so many people hope and inspiration to do the same. She asked me to walk the 3-Day ten years ago and we haven’t stopped since. Our little team of two has raised over $150,000 dollars in the ten years. We don’t want another mother, daughter, sister, aunt or friend to be affected by this disease.”

Congratulations, Shelley, and thank you for your years of dedication to the 3-Day community. We are grateful for all you are and all you do.

Local Impact Award

The Local Impact Award is a new award for 2015, and is being presented to a participant in each 3-Day city who has been instrumental in strengthening the 3-Day in their community throughout the year. Local Impact Award honorees are participants who go above and beyond with things like leading training walks, attending local events, supporting the local 3-Day staff year-round at meet-ups and workshops, and in general, making a difference in their 3-Day community by building lasting relationships and showing commitment to the 3-Day in all they do.

In Atlanta, we were pleased to honor two participants with the Local Impact Award: husband and wife Charles and Renee McCollum. Charles and Renee have been part of the 3-Day for 5 years and 5 events, Charles as a crew member and Renee as a walker. As part of team Badges for Boobies, the couple has raised a combined total of over $16,000.

In preparing to present these two 3-Dayers with the award, we tricked them a little bit and told each individual that the award was going to their spouse. That way, we were able to get thoughts from each of them about their partner. Sneaky? Maybe a little, but worth it. Charles shared this about his wife: “Renee is always trying to recruit new walkers and will take time to explain everything about the 3-Day. She arranges training walks that will fit others’ schedules just so that they can get ready for the event. She can meet a stranger and make them feel like she has known them for years right away. She has been the force behind me getting my health back together after my heart attack in 2013. She makes sure I eat right and I cannot begin to thank her enough for her support and love. She has been my inspiration and I would not be where I am in my life without her as my wife and best friend!”

So sweet! Renee’s thoughts about her husband are just as lovely: “Charles has such a heart for the 3-Day and all those involved, especially ‘his’ walkers. He absolutely lives for the privilege of being there every morning to hug the walkers when they head out and let them know he will personally be there when they get back. He is moved to tears at merely discussing his connection with many of the walkers, especially the elderly or physically fragile ones who he gets to literally carry off the sweep vans. He has made a special connection each of our 4 previous years with at least one particular walker who struggled to make it and just hugged and cried with them when they crossed the finish line each day! I almost make it a joke during our training walks and have someone ask him about his “hug buddies.” He tries to tell one of the stories and just starts crying…he can’t do it. It is the most special thing to see MY MAN have that kind of heart!”

Join us in congratulating and thanking Charles and Renee for their extraordinary commitment to the Atlanta 3-Day community. And thanks, as always, to the entire Atlanta 3-Day family for another spectacular year.

Congratulations to the 2015 Philadelphia 3-Day Award Winners!

At the Susan G. Komen Philadelphia 3-Day earlier this month, we were pleased to recognize some of our outstanding Komen 3-Day participants with special awards given out in camp.

Top Fundraisers

We recognized the top individual, crew and team fundraisers for the Philadelphia 3-Day® in camp on Friday.

For the second year in a row, Priscilla Rawlins (sweep team) was the top crew fundraiser in Philadelphia, raising $5,793 this year, and an incredible $60,075 over her seven years with the 3-Day. Priscilla is a member of Team Girlapalooza, which also got a special team recognition in camp for passing the $1 million in team fundraising this year (they’ve been a team since 2008). As for Priscilla, when she’s not participating and fundraising for the 3-Day, she coaches softball, loves Nationals baseball, and is obsessed with her FitBit.

susan g. komen 3-Day breast cancer walk blog philadelphia award winners top fundraiser team breast friends of pennsylvania

Team captain Vivien (left)

The top fundraising team in Philadelphia was Breast Friends of Pennsylvania, which, with 79 team members was also the largest team on the Philly 3-Day this year. Team captain Vivian Vega-Schoch, along with her two 2016 co-captains, was recognized for the team’s amazing $145,619 fundraising total (though team members were quick to point out from the audience that they had actually surpassed $146,000 since we had last checked their fundraising total!). In their four years as a Philadelphia 3-Day team, Breast Friends of Pennsylvania has raised over $478,000.

Philadelphia’s top individual fundraiser was Riley Weston, a member of team Faith Girlz, who was participating in her fifth 3-Day this year in Philly. Riley raised a remarkable $22,553 this year, and over five 3-Day events, has raised a lifetime total of $86,555. Riley will proudly tell you that she believes that miracles exist, that fairy tales come true and that prayers can change outcomes, and Inside her petite frame beats a big heart, as she asked her Philly 3-Day family to send their own powerful healing thoughts to her best buddy, her dog Cleatus.

Heaps of thanks go out to all of the Philly 3-Day walkers, crew members and supporters who helped bring the Philadelphia 3-Day to $2.7 million in total donations.

Milestone Award

Philly coach Joanne (left) presents Candice with the Milestone Award

In Friday’s camp show, we also honored the Philadelphia 3-Day Milestone Award winner. This award is given on each 3-Day event to one participant who has an extraordinary history of involvement with the 3-Day. Philly’s Milestone Award was given to Candice Kiss, from The Pink Angels.

Candice has been part of the 3-Day family for 9 years, and the 2015 Philadelphia 3-Day marked her 14^th event. During her time with the 3-Day, Candice has raised over $105,000, and in addition to the 3-Day this globe-trotting walker has also participated in Komen Race for the Cure® events in Egypt and Israel and the Marathon for the Cure® (half marathon) in Phoenix, AZ. But it’s not just breast cancer events that draw her to the far corners of the globe: a new-found interest in genealogy recently took Candice on an exploration of the Azores, an archipelago of 9 volcanic islands off the coast of Portugal. Wow!

But it’s Candice’s history with the 3-Day that earned her the Milestone Award. Her friend and coworker Elizabeth said, “Candice is the consummate business professional, extremely conscientious and dedicated. These traits extend to her personal activities as well. Her dedication to the Susan G. Komen® organization and breast cancer awareness is awe-inspiring, as each year brings a greater level of hard work and new activity. Her bright personality never wanes and offers hope to others around her. I consider myself lucky to be one of Candice’s friends.” Another friend and fellow walker Sharyn had this to say about Candice: “I’m so excited Candice will be recognized for her dedication and passion. I met her years ago, when she either volunteered or worked for the Komen Affiliate. Fast forward to our mutual friendship with Bridget [a friend who passed away in 2013] and that’s where her passion, and love for her really shined. She is a tireless fundraiser for this cause. She is quiet, unassuming and humble. She’s one you want in your corner.”

Congratulations, Candice, and thank you for your years of dedication to the 3-Day community. We’re sure glad we have you in our corner.

Local Impact Award

On Saturday in camp, we presented the Philadelphia Local Impact Award to Joanne Faccenda. Joanne is the captain of J-Walkers for the Cure, and has participated as a walker and crew member in 19 events over her 10 years with the 3-Day, not only in Philadelphia, but also the Twin Cities, San Diego, Tampa, Seattle, Washington, D.C., Cleveland and Atlanta. She has raised a total of $23,645.

Joanne has been involved with the 3-Day since 2006, after she lost a friend who was only 40 years old to cancer. She quickly became a vocal 3-Day advocate and has been essential to leading many fundraisers over the years, including ones for new walkers she befriends simply to be a source of support. Joanne has been known to travel long distances to help her fellow 3-Day walkers, and her friend Dawn told us, “Joanne makes a huge impact on other 3-Day participants. She is very encouraging and a wealth of information to first time walkers.”

Joanne’s J-Walkers teammate Maria said, “She’s everyone’s teammate. If she’s walking, you’ll never walk alone. If not, she might be hanging out a window ready to help you into her decked out, very inviting sweep van.” Joanne’s friend Astrid agreed, saying “She is one of the most caring people I know. She always puts everyone in front of herself.”

Join us in congratulating and thanking Joanne for her extraordinary commitment to the Philadelphia 3-Day. And thanks, as always, to the entire Philadelphia 3-Day family for another spectacular year.

Congratulations to the 2015 Seattle 3-Day Award Winners!

Last weekend at the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® in Seattle, it was our pleasure to recognize some of our outstanding Komen 3-Day participants with special awards given out in camp.

Top Fundraisers

On Friday, we honored the top individual, crew and team fundraisers for the Seattle 3-Day®.

Bus & sweep co-captain Kit Loudin took home the honor of top crew fundraiser, having brought in $2,720 this year. Kit’s history as a 3-Day participant is remarkable: she has completed 42 events, and has raised an incredible $48,697 in her 10 years of participation. When she’s not busying herself with all things 3-Day, Kit is an avid traveler. She has visited 48 states, 95 countries, and soon will check all seven continents off her travel bucket list.

susan g. komen 3-day breast cancer walk blog seattle top fundraisers award winners milestone local impact

Tina, captain of Valley Girls & Guys

If you spotted any Seattle walkers sporting signature pink cowboy hats (and how could you miss them?), you were looking at members of Valley Girls & Guys, the top fundraising team for the Seattle 3-Day. Captained by Tina McDonough, Valley Girls & Guys was also the Seattle 3-Day’s largest team at 162 members. They raised a whopping $315,430 this year and in their 7 years as team in Seattle they have brought $2,039,475 to the 3-Day. Wow!

The top individual fundraiser in Seattle, for the second year in a row, was Loretta Englishbee. This year’s Seattle event marked Loretta’s 12^th 3-Day in 10 years, and this year alone she raised $26,100. Over her entire 3-Day history, Loretta has raised an astonishing $360,504. Loretta works near the beach 14 days in a row each month, but it’s not as exotic as you might think: the beach is on the Arctic Ocean, which is frozen more than 7 months out of the year.

Thank you to these Seattle 3-Dayers and everyone who worked so hard to bring the Seattle 3-Day its $2.1 million in total donations.

Milestone Award

On Friday in camp, we also recognized the Seattle 3-Day Milestone Award winner. This award is given on each 3-Day event to one participant who has an extraordinary history of involvement with the 3-Day. Seattle’s Milestone award went to Lori LeVander from team For the Girls.

Milestone Award winner Lori (center) also gave a survivor speech in camp on Saturday

Lori has been part of the 3-Day for 11 years; she has participated 7 times as a crew member and the 2015 Seattle event marked her 13^th time walking. In addition to Seattle, she has also participated in the San Diego, Twin Cities, Tampa, Atlanta, and Arizona 3-Days. She estimates that she’s raised over $55,000 in her history as a 3-Day participant.

Lori’s inspiration for her first 3-Day was as personal as it gets: “I was a 2 ½ year cancer survivor and my best friend had had breast cancer. Oh yeah, and the event started on my 50^th birthday. How could I NOT do it?” That was 10 years ago, and this year’s 3-Day event was particularly special for Lori as well. She just turned 60 years old, so this is her “Walking 60 at 60” year. She also recently celebrated her 33^rd wedding anniversary and her husband was there to cheer her on the route.

Lori herself knows a thing or two about being a cheerleader and is always encouraging new walkers to register. In fact, she usually offers to give them their first donation if they sign up right away. She knows that the 3-Day is unlike any other event and wants people to see it first hand. “What brings me back is the common goal of the walkers and crew to be a part of ending breast cancer. The friendships, emotional healing and strength that is witnessed in crew and walkers over the event is incredible.”

Samantha, a friend of Lori’s and fellow walker had this to say about her: “Lori is a woman whose smile and laughter lights up a room. Her dedication and love of the 3-Day inspires and encourages me to never give up. I will never forget sharing a Get Started Meeting with Lori in Mercer Island when we met an incredible woman, Katie, who was training for her first 3-Day. Months later, Katie raised the flag at camp while Lori and I watched, proud and tearful, as we had been a part of Katie’s journey to the Seattle 3-Day. Lori’s generous heart, loving spirit and infectious laughter inspired us all.”

Congratulations, Lori, and from the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your years of dedication to the 3-Day community.

Local Impact Award

We had one more special recognition to give out at the Saturday camp show in Seattle. The Local Impact Award is a new award for 2015, and is being presented to a participant in each 3-Day city who has been instrumental in strengthening the 3-Day in their community throughout the year. Local Impact Award honorees are participants who go above and beyond with things like leading training walks, attending local events, supporting the local 3-Day staff year-round at meet-ups and workshops, and in general, making a difference in their 3-Day community by building lasting relationships and showing commitment to the 3-Day in all they do.

The Seattle 3-Day was pleased to honor Tath Hossfeld with the Local Impact Award. Tath, who is a member of team Flamingo Road, has been part of the Komen 3-Day for 11 years. She has raised nearly $58,000 across her 18-event history.

Tath shared 30 miles of her Seattle journey with her PTSD therapy dog

Tath is a small business owner and an active member of the 3-Day community all year long. She regularly volunteers for local meetings/activities, personally helped recruit more than 12 new walkers to the 3-Day this year and originally orchestrated Seattle Design Center’s involvement with the 3-Day.

Tath and her husband, Dennis, have consistently led training walks for their team and any other 3-Day walkers for years. Tath looks out for everyone’s best interest and personally checks in with each person to see how they are doing with training and fundraising. Her fellow participants shared that you know you can always be sure to hit a good restaurant if you are on a long training walk with Tath, and the level of care she shows for her fellow walkers is apparent at every turn (she has even been known to drop to her knees and re-tie a walker’s shoes in the middle of the event).

Fellow walker Erin H. shared, “I have witnessed her gentle support of so many survivors that when a friend was diagnosed with breast cancer recently, I gave her all of Tath’s contact information without asking if it was okay. I just wanted her to connect with someone who could provide hope and guidance, and I knew that as a 32-year survivor, Tath was the perfect person to do this. And I was right.”

Join us in congratulating and thanking Tath for her extraordinary commitment to the Seattle 3-Day. We are sincerely indebted to her.