Congratulations to our 2023 New England 3-Day Top Fundraisers!

The 2023 Susan G. Komen New England 3-Day boasted 650 walkers and 200 crew members who collectively contributed $2.1 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 celebrating the accomplishments of our 3-Dayers by donating a collective $42,000 to the top fundraisers to jump start their 2024 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, Marilyn M., who dove right into the Pink Bubble by raising $15,392.40. The crowd applauded her for her contributions as she posed for a picture with Bank of America’s very own Kerryn Ludwig who delivered Marilyn a $500 donation to kick off her 2024 fundraising where we hope to see her on her second ever 3-Day!

Laura P. was then recognized as our top individual fundraiser for raising $50,784.60 and was also rewarded by Bank of America with a $500 donation toward her 3-Day fundraising in 2024. This is her third year as a walker and, in that short time, she has raised a whopping $119,148.12 toward breast cancer research and treatment.

Mimicking the tenacity of our top individual fundraisers, our Small but Mighty Team Award was presented to Walkers for Knockers, a team of eight who together raised $45,370.84. Captained by Beth M., Walkers for Knockers proves that it doesn’t take a huge team to make a huge impact. Beth was rewarded with a $500 donation and each of her teammates received $60 courtesy of Bank of America for their 2024 fundraising efforts.

If the 3-Day teaches us anything, it’s that teamwork makes the dream work, and that’s exactly what our top fundraising team did this year! Their first time as a team, the 18 team members of Kim’s Krusaders together raised $55,633.98 and brought the spirit of the Pink Bubble with every step they took. Their captain, Jeff C., was presented by Bank of America with a 2024 donation of $500 and each team member received a $60 donation.

With our top fundraising walkers accounted for, it was time to congratulate our top individual crew fundraiser, Sharyn E., who raised $6,108.60 this year! Over 15 years and 33 events, Sharyn has raised a total of $92,010.57 and is on the Sweep & Shuttle team. Collectively, all 15 members of the Sweep & Shuttle Crew, captained by Ryan and Melissa A. raised $16,826.72 this year, making them the top crew fundraising team.

It’s never too soon to start doing something good in the world and our 3-Day Youth Corps is a testimony to that fact. Our New England top youth corps fundraiser, Genevieve A., participated in her first ever 3-Day at the age of ten and was able to raise an impressive $4,544.80. Honorable mentions go to our second and third highest youth corps fundraisers Celia J. and Charlotte R. who raised $926.92 and $819.60 respectively.

Whether you were a top fundraiser or hit your own fundraising goals for the 2023 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.

2023 3-Day New England Crew Impact Award Winners: Kris and Ken K.

Meet Kris and Ken K., “The TuTu Brothers”, our New England Crew Impact Award Winners!

For 15 years, brothers Kris and Ken K. have been participating in the 3-Day as crew members, raising a combined total of almost $15,000. This power duo shows up year after year to honor their mother and provide support to 3-Day walkers. Get to know their impact below!

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

Our inspiration to get involved with the 3-Day stems from our mom. Back in 2006, she was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer, a very rare and aggressive form of the disease. After multiple rounds of chemo, surgeries, and radiation, she was given a clean bill of health. In 2008, our family life was getting back to normal when we, as a family, knew it was time to pay it forward and get involved anyway possible with fighting this disease. Little did we know that getting involved would lead to the 3-Day, which has changed all of our lives for the better.

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

What keeps us coming back is the inability to stop coming year after year. To be given the chance to be surrounded by our heroes and extended family makes it hard to stay away. And, of course, the need to keep fighting for the cures.

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

There are so many favorite aspects of crewing for us, including spending time with each other, the rest of our family, and certainly our 3-Day family.

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

Be ready to work hard and have a good time doing it! The days may be long, but being able to support the walkers makes the day go by fast. The walkers? Yeah, they love the crew, and it shows. We love them right back.

What’s a fun fact about you?

Ken: I am an Architectural Project Manager and have worked on projects in/been to 48 states. Kris: I’m the Technical Director and ADA coordinator for a small theatre company in Burlington, NJ.

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

The most important lesson for us is to be reminded that there are a lot of good people in the world doing good things. With so much negativity around us, it’s important to know that in your own part of the world, the best people are the ones you surround yourself with and do good things with.

New England 2023 3-Day Event Recap

We kicked off the 2023 3-Day season in historic New England where members of the Pink Bubble gathered from all across the country between August 18-20 to participate in the momentous event! Together, the walkers and crew of the 2023 New England 3-Day raised a total of $2.1 million in the fight against breast cancer.

Day 1

New England 3-Dayers began their journey doing what they know best: adapting to change and overcoming obstacles! In the early hours of the morning, the skies opened up, resulting in a weather delay and route change. Despite these unforeseen challenges, our determined and courageous participants set out to paint the town pink! We began the day with an exciting Opening Ceremony, where walkers and crew gathered to ring in the first day with cheers and pins (so many pins!). Brothers James and Billy D. honored their late mother and all those who have lost their lives to breast cancer as they raised our Promise Flag for the crowd.

Inspired and well-rested, walkers embarked on the New England 3-Day for a 10-mile walk starting from the beautiful Marriott Copley Place. The sun mimicked the smiles of our walkers and crew, shining through the clouds as the Pink Bubble took to the streets of downtown Boston. Walkers brought the spirit to Brookline and Chestnut Hill where they enjoyed a delicious lunch before turning around toward home base. As walkers poured in, so did the rain! Showers briefly started back up as Day 1 wrapped up and our final walker returned to camp. After relaxing in the well-deserved Bank of America massage chairs, walkers enjoyed a delicious dinner. We even heard that a few committed walkers returned from the route only to head straight to the hotel fitness center to complete their 20 miles!

The Celebration of Champions soon commenced where Bank of America rewarded our Top Fundraisers, Milestone Award Winner, and Crew Impact Award Winners with donations up to $500 for their 2024 3-Day fundraising. New this year, Bank of America hosted a raffle where five New England 3-Day participants won $250 toward their 2024 fundraising efforts. Participants who have participated for 18+ years joined at the stage to cut the 3-Day’s 20^th anniversary cake and celebrate this momentous event. With Day 1 complete, walkers headed to bed to rest their feet for tomorrow!

Day 2

The day started and ended with the sun high in the sky, shining proudly despite the challenges of the day before. Valiant walkers took to the streets of Boston at 7:45 a.m. as Ultimate Event Experience winner Alison R. and her team Cousins 4 A Cure: Twice as Nice led the way!

With spirits high, walkers set out to complete their next 20 miles through the streets of Boston. They snapped some photos in front of the iconic Fenway Park and walked the bubbly streets toward Sam Adams Brewery. The city was alive in Boston Commons, with smiles in every direction and tour guides decked out in historic garb. Walkers experienced other lively pit stops along the way thanks to our beloved crew who offered a glimpse into Beauty and the “Breast”, Pirates of the Caribbean and more!

No Saturday would be complete without a hearty serving of mac and cheese before heading into the Honor Ceremony. Members of the Youth Corps shared their stories as they lit candles in honor of their loved ones who have been affected by breast cancer. The rest of the crowd followed their lead, lighting the way to the remembrance room, a beautiful tribute showcasing the friends and family members behind the “why” of our Pink Bubble family. With hearts full and feet tired, walkers and crew rested up for the final day of the New England 3-Day.

Day 3

Today began with welcoming the 20-mile walkers to join us in the Pink Bubble during a delicious and nutritious breakfast to fuel up before heading out on the route. With the sun shining, walkers spent the day witnessing many of Boston’s historic sites including the Freedom Trail, USS Constitution, and Bunker Hill Monument to name a few. While on route, walkers were greeted at multiple pit stops by lively crew members adorned with Disney themed outfits and décor to keep spirits high. Our National Series Sponsor, XPO, even set up an incredible cheer station with bubbles and candy to inspire our walkers to push through toward the Finish Line Festival!

Walkers took their final strides into the Finish Line Festival where they picked up their New England 3-Day medal, victory t-shirts, and enjoyed a protein bar from Ready Nutrition. With tears of joy and smiles from ear-to-ear, walkers snapped some pictures at the Nature’s Bounty photobooth fully equipped with warrior wings and props… pink of course!

As the last walker made their way across the Mohawk Flooring pink carpet, they were cheered on by the hundreds of walkers, crew, staff, and supporters who were gathered together. When the final walker raised the flag, the Closing Ceremony began with a sea of sneakers in the air while our survivors and thrivers made their way toward the stage. Comradery, love, and support radiated from every single person in attendance as the New England 3-Day came to a close. We can’t wait to see you back in Boston in 2024!