We began our 2016 Komen 3-Day with an inspiring and beautiful Opening Ceremony as the sun rose above the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Crew members, walkers, and supporters joined their hearts and hopes in the shared promise of bringing about the end of breast cancer, one footstep at a time. Take some time to get to know our Opening Ceremony speakers.
Kara Corridan & Trish Jansen – My Friend
We lost two of our childhood friends, Kelly and Linda, in the last year. They were both 44 when they died and both had triple-negative breast cancer. They also have five children between them, ages 5 to 18. We are walking to help fund research and prevent another family from the heartbreak that Kelly’s and Linda’s families are going through. I’m Kara, and I’m Trish, and we ARE the 3-Day.
Allison Lustig – My Aunt
Ten years ago, my family and I began our 3-Day journey in honor and support of my Aunt Judy’s victory with breast cancer. Today,
I begin my 14th event as a first-time walker, in celebration of her 15th year of being cancer free! I will walk with her strength, determination, courage and love. I’m Allison and I am the 3-Day.
Becky Izadi – My Father
I walk in honor of my father, Ron Lewis, who lost his battle to breast cancer 5 years ago. I’m here to bring awareness to the effect this disease has on men, as well as women. Before he passed away, my father urged me to seek early testing, and as a result I discovered that I TOO had breast cancer. Thanks to my superhero, I will live a longer, healthier life. Love you, Dad! I’m Becky and I AM the 3-Day.
Emmanuel Bryant – My Mother
I’m thankful to be here surrounded by my 3-Day family. I joined the 3-Day last year in Seattle, and after the first day, I knew this was something I wanted to keep doing. I walk in memory of my Mom, JeRhonda Lynem. I also walk for every woman, man and child that has been affected by breast cancer. I’m Kentucky and I am the 3-Day.
Mike Hattrup – My Wife
This will be my sixth 3-Day supporting my wife and Team Michelle, but my first time walking! Instead of cheering from the sidelines, I decided to walk this year beside my wife, who has been battling breast cancer off and on for the last three years. I’m proud to be part of this great team of fighters! I’m Mike and I AM the 3-Day.
Helen Hall – My Sister
This is my 18th walk with my sister who is a 37-year breast cancer survivor. I walk because I believe that one day there will be a cure for breast cancer. I’m Helen and I AM the 3-Day.
“I walk because almost 19 years ago, I was robbed of ever hearing my mom’s voice again. I walk so that no one else has to endure that pain. I wasn’t able to celebrate my Mom’s 60th birthday with her, but I walk so that YOU can. I’m Jill and I AM the 3-Day.”
“I crew route safety for family and friends who fought and are still fighting, and for my teal warrior wife of 31 years, Kathy. It’s because of organizations like Susan G. Komen and in part because of a drug developed for breast cancer treatment that Kathy, who is battling ovarian cancer, is alive and able to participate in the 3-Day again this weekend. Thank you Pink Family! I’m Eric and I AM the 3-Day.”
“I am walking for my dear friend, Susan, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012 and has been cancer-free for four years now! I am humbled by her strength and courage and the fact that I get to walk with her this weekend. I walk for a cure to end breast cancer so that my 20-year-old daughter, Caitlyn, her friends, my nieces, and all of the of younger generation will think of breast cancer as a thing of the past. I’m Marcia and I AM the 3-Day.”
“I walk for my father, John Kelso, who passed away in 2004. Daddy fought a very brave fight against cancer and even today, he remains an inspiration for all who loved and knew him. I walk to further the progress of cancer research, so that other fathers will win the battle against cancer and enjoy many years of health and happiness with their families. I’m Lisa and I AM the 3-Day.”
“Two years ago, I participated in my first 3-Day in honor of my Grandmom Claire, who we lost 12 years ago. This year, I add my Aunt Kate, who is currently in remission, and my friend Julie, who is fighting stage 3 to my list. I walk to so that we can stop “adding” people to our lists each year and end early goodbyes. I’m Christine and I AM the 3-Day.”
“I have walked the 3-Day five times in honor of my mom, a breast cancer survivor, and in memory of those we have lost. Who would have thought that it could happen to me? Yet here I am, having been diagnosed this past December with stage 4 breast cancer. So this year, I’m also walking for myself and continue to hope for a cure so that my daughters don’t have to walk for the very same reason. I’m Rae and I AM the 3-Day.”
“I walk for my wonderful sister-in-law, Sherry Konter, who would have been 62 this year had she not been taken by this insidious disease almost 16 years ago. I also walk for my mother, Bobbie Pollard, who was a 36-year breast cancer survivor when she died at almost 85. I’m Roslyn and I AM the 3-Day.”
“Why do I crew? Well, simply put, it is because I walked 60 miles once, and y’all are crazy! But really. I crew for you, all my 3-Day friends. You are fighting the good fight to put an end to this nasty disease. You are fighting to protect my family, my friends, and me. I’m Jake and I AM the 3-Day.”
“Fifteen years ago, when a friend who had recovered from breast cancer asked me to walk with her, I didn’t hesitate for a minute. My father died of liver cancer and my brother-in-law had recently died of a brain tumor. All these miles later, I’m still walking, and while we haven’t found a cure, we know so much more than we did. Just last year, my husband was successfully treated for prostate cancer. I believe that if Komen can unlock the cure for breast cancer, it will lead to breakthroughs for all cancers. I’m Mary and I AM the 3-Day.”
“I walk because breast cancer threatened to take my momma from me when I was only 18 years old. I walk because there was a time when she couldn’t. I walk because now… she can! I walk because of her strength, relentless courage and because of her fight. I walk so that my babies will never have to know what it’s like to fear losing their momma to breast cancer. I’m Megan and I AM the 3-Day.”
“I walk in honor of the many friends who have fought and won their battles against breast cancer. I walk in memory of the loved ones that have been lost. I walk so that someday, my children will never have to fear losing a loved one to cancer. I’m Angela and I AM the 3-Day.”
“I’m walking for two reasons. First, it helps my late wife, Gail, complete her bucket list. When she was told her breast cancer was terminal, she set the goal to walk in EVERY 3-Day city. Atlanta is the last one on her list. I also walk for my daughter, Britain Grainger. We have to find a cure. I’m Kurt and I AM the 3-Day.”