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Youth Corps Rock Star: Rosie from the New England 3-Day

Our 3-Day Youth Corps are a truly special group of young people. They work so hard during our 3-Day weekends to support both walkers and crew members, and that doesn’t even include all the work they do throughout the year to fundraise for the 3-Day. We are honored to have all of them as a part of our pink bubble.

One amazing new addition to our Youth Corps is Rosie Warfield, who raised nearly $5,000 as a member of the New England 3-Day this year. She fundraised tirelessly, posting videos on social media and holding a fundraising paint night for the 3-Day.

Rosie’s paternal grandmother died of breast cancer when she was only 12. Since then, Rosie and her whole family has increased their dedication to Susan G. Komen. That dedication came to fruition this year on the New England 3-Day.

We talked to Rosie and her mom Maggie about what the 3-Day means to their family and even got some fundraising tips from Rosie!

Tell us about your family’s connection with the 3-Day.

Maggie: My mother and I did our first Boston 3-Day in the summer of 2004. Rosie was only 15 months old. That previous December, my mom’s best friend Madelyn had passed away from a recurrence of breast cancer and while she was dying, my mom got a breast cancer diagnosis.

This is how we got involved! In the ten years that the 3-Day was in Boston, my mom and I walked twice and then crewed the remainder of the years. Rosie always wanted to be part of the Youth Corps in New England but didn’t have the chance until this year.

Rosie’s “why” for raising money is so BIG to her because breast cancer has affected both of her grandmothers.

What are some of your best fundraising tips?

Maggie: Rosie performed Live Videos on my Facebook page to entice my friends to donate. In person, she was passionate in fundraising for the cures! She connected with a friend of mine who offered to host a paint night for her, too. She then contacted her friends, and we posted more on social media.

Rosie: I set up an event on Facebook to advertise my paint night and invited all my friends. The woman that offered to do this gave over 50% of the paint night proceeds to the 3-Day. I also asked for raffle items from friends and family and received a few items to raffle off.

I sold raffle tickets to people that could not attend the fundraiser. I filled out their tickets and placed them in the buckets.

I also found a venue to have this paint night and the woman who owned the place sold all of her jewelry for $7 apiece and 100% of the proceeds went to the cause. It was a very successful and fun event!

What’s your advice for first-time Youth Corps members?

Rosie: My advice is to set lofty goals and use your voice! Most adults won’t say no to kids raising money for this cause! Passion for the cause truly brings the money in the door! I try to keep the 3-Day spirit alive in many ways. During the month of October, I wear something pink every single day. Many teachers and students have asked me about it, and I told them it was for breast cancer awareness.

What are some of Rosie’s best memories from the 3-Day?

Maggie and Rosie: One of the most impactful moments for her was when she reached the finish line, and all of the walkers were coming in. With all the energy they had to spare, the whole Youth Corps cheered them on across the finish line.

She loved walking walkers across the bridge near the Boston Children’s Museum towards the end of the weekend. She also loved getting to know them and chatting with them.

Her favorite cheer was the Betty Crocker one and “No skates, no scooters, we’re walking for our hooters!”

Maggie: Rosie loved the 3-Day and her energy and enthusiasm was contagious! She was befriended by a group of walkers who simply adored her. She truly believes that everyone deserves a lifetime. She was so emotional when she went into the remembrance tent. She told me after that breast cancer has taken way too many women. She will keep fighting for a cure. Rosie puts her heart and soul into whatever she does.

What does “commitment” mean to Rosie and your family?

Maggie: Commitment to Rosie and our family means never giving up in the face of adversity. We are committed to a life without breast cancer! She always loved her quiet one-on-one time with her grandmother Warfield watching TV and cuddling. She also loved the trips we took with Grandma Warfield even when she was battling cancer. She loves spending time with her Grammy especially walking around shopping, going to theater, or just plain hanging with Grammy.

We are honored to have giving and committed children like Rosie in our Youth Corps family. Thank you to everyone who has served, or will continue to serve on the Youth Corps. You are the sunshine in our 3-Day world!

Why I Walk: First-Time Walker Emmie J. Spent Her 21st Birthday on the New England 3-Day

To Emmie Jeffcoat, commitment means “doing everything I am capable of to help find a cure.” It also meant spending her 21st birthday as part of “the most heartwarming weekend ever” on the New England 3-Day!

Emmie had heard a lot about the 3-Day from her aunt (Coach Gayla from Dallas/Fort Worth!), but she still didn’t fully know what to expect. She didn’t anticipate being moved in the way she was over her three days in the New England 3-Day Pink Bubble. She decided to walk in 2019 because she hoped to inspire more young people to walk as well, but she’ll be back in 2020 because of the friends (of all ages) that she made during her 60-mile journey.

What began as a birthday celebration turned into a life-changing experience. Emmie is sharing with us just how much the 3-Day affected her, and why she will continue to commit 3 days.

How did you prepare for your 3-Day journey?

I didn’t follow the training guide as well as I should have. However, I did find that just getting used to being on my feet helped me a lot. I also walk 5-10 miles every day on campus just going to class, so I think that helped me, too! Fortunately for me, my campus is full of hills, so I was prepared for the hills on the walk.

Do you have any fundraising advice for first timers?

My best advice with fundraising would be exactly what my aunt told me: ask anyone and everyone! You never know who is going to have a connection to breast cancer or want to donate, so tell everyone about the walk and what it’s about. More than half of the people who donated to my fundraiser were people I had either never met or hadn’t seen in years. Social media played a HUGE part in my fundraising as well. Putting information on social media platforms helped me get my story out to more people.

Tell us about your overall 3-Day experience!

I have so many fond memories of my three-day experience!

  1. I think I laughed harder with my Aunt than I ever have in my entire life. There’s not one specific memory of that, but just 3 days FULL of laughing until I could barely breathe.
  2. I had the honor of meeting a survivor who was walking her 19th 3-day! Just talking to her and hearing her story made me realize the amount of strength these survivors have. I felt honored to be able to walk for them and be a small part of something so amazing. I know I had technically only been around her for three days, but she quickly became a huge role model for me. She was one of the coolest people I have ever met.
  3. GEORGE! He was such a wonderful example of what true love looks like. He is the sweetest/toughest man, and I loved seeing him every day. I wish everyone in the world could meet George.
  4. The Crew! The 3-Day crew was beyond awesome. I honestly don’t know how they manage. They had food, medical, pit stops, etc. Thank you, 3-Day Crew, for showing me how extraordinary the 3-Day is.
  5. The most amazing ceremony Saturday night. I won’t give anything away, but I will say that night is one I will never forget. It opened my eyes to what the walk is really about.
  6. Hearing “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond was also the best. It’s a song that everyone knows, so when it starts playing it’s so much fun to get a big group singing together!

The 3-Day is a big commitment in a variety of ways. What did this commitment mean to you?

I think the word “commitment” holds a whole new meaning now since I completed the walk. Commitment is making the choice to see something all the way through no matter what. Concerning breast cancer, I think commitment is making the decision to fight as hard as you possibly can. I think for families it means fighting with your loved one(s) throughout the entire process and sharing the strength it takes to get through something like that.

What are your plans for next year?

When I signed up for my first walk, I thought it was going to be a one-time thing I got to cross off my bucket list. However, after participating I realized that it is impossible to do just one! I haven’t decided which city yet, but you will definitely see me at another 3-Day in 2020! My goal is to do one 3-Day walk per year. You will also be able to catch me at some cheer stations dressed up and ready to make some walkers smile!

Congratulations to the 2019 New England 3-Day Local Impact Award Winner, Ali Pepe

For the 2019 Susan G. Komen 3-Day® season, we’re pleased to be continuing the Local Impact Award. This award is being given to participants who have been instrumental in strengthening the 3-Day® community throughout the year. Local Impact Award honorees have gone above and beyond in their efforts leading training walks, attending 3-Day community events, supporting the 3-Day staff year-round at meet-ups and workshops, and in general, making a difference by building lasting relationships and showing commitment to the 3-Day in all they do.

Please join us in congratulating the 2019 New England 3-Day Local Impact Award Winner, Ali Pepe!

Ali has participated in 15 3-Days over the course of 13 years, even participating as a member of our Youth Corps! Since then, she has “walked, crewed and has put her heart and soul in to being the Youth Corps Captain since 2012 in Philadelphia and Boston,” according to Coaches Tisho and Sharyn.

3-Day friend Robin Maxcy also can’t say enough about the amazing Ali!

“The words that come to mind when I think of Ali are kind, bold, generous and always doing something bigger than herself to help others. Ali’s smile and energy is contagious to everyone she meets. I feel fortunate to have met Ali and her family at the very first Boston 3-Day many years ago. From that time frame until now, I have watched Ali grow into a beautiful, smart and empowering woman continuing to help others.”

Ali is a joy and such an asset in our 3-Day family. You can learn even more about her, in her own words, below…

What was your inspiration to do your 1st 3-Day?

My mother had done the 3-Day for years to support my aunt, her sister, who had breast cancer. I was young at the time, but when I saw my mom and aunt walk into closing for the first time, I immediately knew I wanted to get involved and support the cause. Luckily, Boston was the home of the Youth Corps, and when I was 14 years old, I was chosen to be a member. It was an experience I will never forget!

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

After my first 3-Day, I was hooked! Not only does the event support a great cause, but the members of the walk become a second family. I can’t imagine not participating in it. This year will mark my 15th event!

Beyond that, it became an even more important event to me in 2012 when my grandmother, my mom, and my aunt were all diagnosed with breast cancer within 6 months of one another. I vowed I would participate in the 3-Day until we found a cure and there was no need for the walk anymore.

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

I’d say the biggest thing is that I’m usually just very open about my experience with the 3-Day and my family’s experience battling breast cancer. So many people have been touched by this horrible disease and want to help. Beyond that, I just incorporate fun into my FUNdraising whether it’s a band at an event, raffle prizes, or more. People are happy to help and having the opportunity to have a good time while doing so makes it even more enjoyable.

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

Get to know anyone and everyone you can on the event! Don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation with a random stranger because I can guarantee in just a few short miles, they will become a great friend. Laugh, cheer, smile, and even cry! It’s all part of the magic of the 3-Day.

What’s a fun fact about you?

I have completed the past two Boston Marathons! Both times running for the Joe Andruzzi Foundation, and have raised nearly $22,000 for cancer patients and their families who are in need.

I’m also a huge Bruins and Pats fan!

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

Ohhh, this is a hard one…I think it probably has to be that you should count every blessing you have and make every moment count. I know it sounds corny, but when you hear the stories of men and women on the event, and realize how awful the disease can be, I realize how lucky I am. My mom, grandmother, and both my aunts are now all survivors, but not every story ends like mine. Unfortunately, breast cancer claims the lives of too many people, and this is why we all walk. The 3-Day really taught me to cherish the ones I love because. It also taught me that no matter how horrible this disease is, we still have hope and each other. ?