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Congratulations to our 2024 New England 3-Day Top Fundraisers!

The 2024 Susan G. Komen New England 3-Day had 800 walkers and 190 crew members who raised $2.3 million in the fight against breast cancer. To wrap up Day 1, our top fundraisers were recognized Friday evening at the Bank of America Celebration of Champions. This year, Bank of America is donating $33,000 to the top fundraisers to jump start their 2025 fundraising efforts. Join us in congratulating these teams and individuals for their incredible achievements and contributions! 

We kicked off the celebration by recognizing our Rookie of the Year who asked to remain anonymous after raising more than $10,000 for their first Susan G. Komen 3-Day®! The crowd applauded this individual for their contributions before we recognized our Top Individual Fundraiser, Anne H., for raising more than $25,000 who received a $500 donation toward her 2025 Komen 3-Day fundraising. In her seven years walking the 3-Day, she has raised over $83,000 toward breast cancer research and treatment. Anne’s team, Double Trouble, was also awarded with our Small but Mighty Team Award as the duo raised more than $40,000. 

From a team of two to a team of thirty-four, we went on to celebrate our Top Fundraising Team STEPS who raised more than $66,000. Led by team captain Dana B., the largest team received a 2025 donation of $500 for their captain and a $60 donation for each team member. Team STEPS has been together for 15 years and has raised a lifetime total of over $1.8 million.  

With our top fundraising walkers acknowledged, it was time to congratulate our crew, who raised a combined total of $90,039 at the 2024 New England 3-Day! Our Top Individual Crew Fundraiser, Kristin S., raised more than $9,000 this year at her 15th event, with her lifetime total surpassing $63,000. Collectively, all 20 members of the Sweep & Shuttle Crew, captained by Melissa and Ryan A. raised more than $17,000 this year, making them the Top Crew Fundraising Team.  

The New England 3-Day Youth Corps showed us that it’s never too early to make a difference, surpassing an outstanding $15,000 in the fight against breast cancer. Our Top Three Youth Corps Fundraisers demonstrated how every dollar counts with just $42 separating our first and second place fundraisers. Makayla E. raised nearly $1,700 on her fourth event and first timers Ali W. and Parker C. raised more than $2,600. For her hard work, Parker will receive a 3-Day® branded Hydro Flask as a token of our appreciation and to spread awareness wherever she takes it. 

Whatever your fundraising goals for the 2024 New England 3-Day, the work that you do and the funds that you raise are ever important. On behalf of Bank of America and Susan G. Komen, thank you for all that you do to help fight breast cancer! 

New England Milestone Award: Mary Anne W.

Meet Mary Anne W., our 2024 New England 3-Day Milestone Award Winner!   

Mary Anne has walked 22 times in 20 years, raising a lifetime total of more than $147,000. This year, she walks for her dental hygienist, Tracy, a three-year breast cancer survivor. 

What was your inspiration to participate in your first Susan G. Komen 3-Day®?  

A co-worker who I regularly walked with gave me the information to register. 

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

My first 3-Day walk was in 1998, and then [I] kept registering when Komen took over in 2003. I have walked at least one event each year since. The past two years, I have walked two 3-Day events and will do so this year, too. So, New England will be walk 23 of the Komen 3-Day, then later number 24 in Dallas/Fort Worth. 

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

My secret to fundraising is mailing letters that include the donation form [and] a stamped envelope to the bank starting in mid-April. I mail everyone I have ever known in my life. Yep, stamps are expensive, but my donors love getting my letters, which include a photo and story of someone I know personally who has had breast cancer. This year I am walking for Tracy, my dental hygienist. She is 51, and a 3-year survivor. My letter and a photo of Tracy are below. 

“I’m on the road again this year with my 23rd 3-Day. This time I am walking to honor Tracy, my dental hygienist and a 3-year breast cancer survivor. Here is her breast cancer story: 

‘I moved from Nebraska to Arizona in June 2021 so excited to start working right away at a Prescott, AZ dental office as a Dental Hygienist. Just one month later I was diagnosed with Stage 2B breast cancer with lymph node involvement and very high in Estrogen. A lumpectomy was performed in September and a port was placed in November of that year. A/C “Red Devil” chemotherapy started in December, every other week for 2 months, followed by a less potent chemotherapy which occurred weekly for three months. I then got to take a break for a couple months to regain some strength before the Radiation Oncologist needed 15 chest x-rays and radiation continued every morning Monday through Friday for 18 weeks. Next, it was a challenge to find the right combination of hormone blockers that didn’t make my muscles and bones ache. I now get acupuncture and massages weekly to help with the neuropathy in my feet. I just recently started to feel less fatigued, now I’m able to go on walks and I hope to start a workout routine again soon. 

I’m so lucky that I have a job that I was able to continue to work while going through cancer treatment. 

During all my treatments my husband cooked, cleaned and shopped so I could rest, I am so lucky to have him, my family, friends and patients that have kept me positive throughout my cancer journey.’  

Tracy’s journey with this disease will hopefully inspire those you know to take breast health seriously and get your annual mammograms, etc. I am hoping you will donate today to my fundraising using the enclosed donation form and envelope addressed to the lockbox in Dallas. If you prefer to donate online, go to The3Day.org, type my name and choose the donation amount. 

Thank you for continuing to care about breast cancer and finding the cures.” 

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

The event is three days of walking and meeting new faces who may wind up being a very good friend. 

What’s a fun fact about you?  

I am 80 years old and played competitive tennis from age 4 to 70. I have been playing pickleball since January and, with my tennis background, have picked up the sport easily. I live in a community that has many retired people who also play the game, [so I have made] lots of new friends with this sport. I have also been an active YMCA member since age 4 [and] have been married to Tom for 60 years. I do cardio classes 5 days a week, pickleball 4 days, and walk 5 miles a day. 

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

Start your fundraising as early as possible, train, and be kind always. 

New England Crew Impact Award Winner: Ali P. 

Meet Ali P., our 2024 New England Crew Impact Award Winner!    

Since her first Susan G. Komen 3-Day® 16 years ago as a member of the Youth Corps, Ali has participated 18 times and has raised a lifetime total of nearly $14,000. To this day, she plays an imperative role in keeping the program afloat and thriving. 

“Ali has always embodied the Komen 3-Day to me. She is an incredibly dedicated leader, teacher, and, most importantly, friend. If it weren’t for her hard work, organization, and advocacy, the Youth Corps would not look like it does. As one of the founding members of the Youth Corps when she was a young girl herself, to the repeat leader she has become, Ali has always made sure the Youth Corps mission is a success.” —Bailey M.  

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

My mom had walked the 3-Day for years with her sister, Rose, who was battling breast cancer. At the time, I was very young, but I got to see my mom and aunt at camp (back when camp was outside, moved each night, and was open to friends and family), and at the Closing Ceremony; I immediately knew I wanted to get involved and support the cause. A few years later, the Youth Corps started here in Boston, and I jumped at the chance to join the team. It was one of the best experiences ever, and one that I will never forget. 

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

The 3-Day is an amazing event that supports an extremely important cause that is near and dear to my heart. While I initially joined the 3-Day to support my aunt Rose’s battle and triumph over breast cancer, after my first event in New England 2006, I was hooked. I made so many new friends that quickly became family to me, and I looked forward to joining forces with them each year in the fight against breast cancer.  

However, in 2012 my world was rocked, reminding me how cruel this disease is when my grandmother Rosemarie, my mom Cathy, and my Aunt Joanne were all diagnosed with breast cancer. Within a six-month span, three more women on my mom’s side of the family had breast cancer. It was then that I vowed to participate in the 3-Day until we find the cures and there is no need for the walk anymore. 

What is your favorite aspect of crewing the 3-Day?   

My favorite aspect of crewing the 3-Day is the Youth Corps. Maybe I’m biased because I was a member as a kid and have been a Youth Corps leader 12 times, but seeing the smile they bring to walkers is special. Outside of the Youth Corps, it’s being able to help and support others on event. I know firsthand that walking 60 miles is no easy feat, so being there for others in any way I can is extremely rewarding. 

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

Talk to everyone, and I mean everyone! Listen to their stories, share yours, make new friends. Smile at someone, say hi, give them a high five — even the smallest actions make a world of difference. And most importantly, enjoy every moment and have fun! Don’t get too caught up in your task that you forget why you are there. 

What’s a fun fact about you?  

I have run eight marathons, six in the United States, one in London, one in Germany, and have individually raised over $50,000 while doing so. My goal is to complete all of the world’s major marathons, and I am only one marathon away from doing so.