My 3-Day Experience: Checking in with Former AVON 39 Walker, Lenore

This year on the 3-Day, we were happy and honored to welcome many past-AVON 39 walkers to our pink family. One of those walkers, Lenore C., joined our 2018 Philadelphia 3-Day along with a few of her past AVON 39 teammates.

When we talked to her before the event, she said her desire to join the 3-Day came from the simple knowledge that “we can do more together” in the fight against breast cancer.

Now, with those 60-miles behind her, Lenore says she had a stellar experience both preparing for, and walking in the 3-Day.

“I even really enjoyed my fundraising! My husband’s yoga students helped, the Transformation Made Easy digital community supported me tremendously and 3-Day fundraiser emails were essential!

As for training, the 3-Day app was so great. It connected with my calendar, so I could see what I needed to do every day. It was fun and challenging! I got people to go with me on training walks. I took advantage of my environment and explored new paths. I listened to podcasts while I walked alone — thank you Being Here, Audible and Audiobooks. They were amazing company! I listened to all the Harry Potter books!”

After all that support and training, Lenore approached the weekend in Philadelphia with excitement. She found our Opening Ceremony inspiring, but she said she loved the walker stalkers and Crew support most of all.

“It was comforting and hilarious to share snacks and stories with them. The Youth Corps are also the best! Their cheering and chanting were terrific for matching my own enthusiasm. I was charged up all the way!”

As a Philadelphia native returning home for the walk, she also liked the variety in the route, and getting to see everything from “unique and artsy shopping areas to the great spans of green by the Schukyill River to the iconic Rocky Statue and the Liberty Bell” all in one weekend.

And then, after all those sights and steps, she came to the finish line.

“I felt proud and honored. Honored by the presence of all those who supported me personally in my journey that honors my body and my perseverance. Grateful for my body’s responding positively to my demands and also grateful to the bodies of those who can only dream of being able to walk 60 miles but have truly journeyed so much further in overcoming breast cancer.”

She was glad to honor those in her own life who had been affected by breast cancer, including her stepmom, Geri, her best friend’s mom, Rosie, and her first boyfriend’s sister, Crisse. It was their memory that kept her moving all weekend, and she even finished faster than she thought she would.

“I found myself speeding up as I approached the arch and could not and did not resist dancing across that finish line. I kept dancing and was joined by the emcee! It was a blast, our impromptu party! My friends’ and my husband’s smiles, applause and congratulations were elevating!”

She even ended up walking 4 more miles along the route to her car, cheering on those approaching the finish line as she went. She says she also showed off her medal proudly. 😊

So, after all that training, fundraising, walking, and yes, even a little dancing…will she be back in 2019? You bet!

“Oh, yes! I’ll be back! I plan to raise even more money! I think I’ll auction off some specific miles and take photos as proof! I might even promise to execute dares for extra pledges — like walk backwards for 1 or selfies with a man in pink or a pink girl doing a cartwheel… something cooler but, like those are my ideas for now.”

We have no doubt that Lenore will continue to make her 3-Day experience an extraordinary one.

If you want to join Lenore in 2019, the time to sign up is NOW! If you register at The3Day.org by 11:55 PM CST TONIGHT 12/6, you’ll automatically get 50% off your registration fee—no special codes required!

Come and walk with us.

Congratulations to the 2018 Philadelphia 3-Day Milestone Award Winner, Ron MacDonald

Please join us in congratulating our 2018 Philadelphia Milestone Award Winner; Ron MacDonald! The Susan G. Komen 3-Day® Milestone Award is given at each event to a walker or crew member who has an outstanding history of participation in the Komen 3-Day. At the Philadelphia 3-Day camp show, we presented Ron with this special honor.

To his family and friends, Ron is the consummate 3-Dayer, filled with love, compassionate and dedication.

His daughter Darcie said, “When I talked my Dad into walking the 3-Day 9 years ago, I had no idea what his journey would look like. Nine walks later, 540 miles (not counting training), thousands of dollars raised, a tattoo on his arm with our team logo saying “NO More Goodbyes.” I can honestly say finding a cure for breast cancer has become a part of who my Dad is. Even now that he is battling his own cancer his determination to walk with all of you is even stronger. My Dad is a hero who’s love and passion to make a difference is contagious. My Dad walks to END breast cancer. He walks for all of you!”

His grandchild Riley echoed that sense of family pride and love.

“I could not be any prouder of my Grandfather for being the recipient of this award. My Grampy has dedicated so much of his time to help the fight against breast cancer. He supports his teammates who have all become his best friends or as he likes to call them his “girlfriends”. Even in spite of his own discovery of cancer it has never stopped motivating him to fight and help those who can’t. After all his treatments this year all he could talk about is his excitement to walk with his team. My Grampy has never let anything stop him from fulfilling his goal of making a difference and walking 60 miles. My Grampy is a superhero. I am so lucky and honored to walk 60 miles by his side.”

Teammate Suzanne Higgins described what it’s like walking alongside Ron as one full of kindness and laughter. He is “the rock” of their team, and she is proud to call him her friend.

“Ron is the beating male heart of our team. Literally, he’s the only man and he treats us and cares for us as though we were his own daughters.

Ron embodies “Milestone” – he literally puts down his head and pounds out the 60 “miles” like nobody’s business *and* he is the “stone/rock” of our team! […]

Above all, Ron has the biggest, most generous heart. He is fully committed to our team, No More Goodbyes…his pink daughters. And, we love him as the father of our team…our beloved 3-Day Dad.

Teammate Janet Daley said Ron is “a true team player! Whenever any one of us was low on funds he would share his donations with the team. He never wanted his girls to not be able to walk with him.”

Kristina Libby talked about his speed as well as his generosity, and says upon meeting him 9 years go, she was instantly shocked to witness a gentle giant walk so fast.”

Another one of his teammates, Deb Margolis seconded that sentiment, promising that Ron will almost always be at the front of the line. But she says he also never complains. You will “see him with a big smile on his face and hear him by his loud laugh.”

Kristina probably summed him up best when she said, “Ron is a dad, granddad, husband and a fantastic teammate. Everything he does he does with passion. He is determined to find a cure for cancer. For himself, for me, and for all the other men and women who have fought this battle. Ron means the world to me because we mean the world to Ron.”

After all of these amazing expressions of support, we then had to hear from Ron in his own words!

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

My daughter! She walked and wanted me to walk with her. Unfortunately, I was extremely overweight bracket (350 lbs) and couldn’t do it. She inspired me to lose weight – 175 pounds! That provided me with the inspiration to do the walk.

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

Mainly the team of girls, No More Goodbyes! They have instilled in me how important the cause is and also the bonding I’ve developed with the team over the past nine years

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

A strong sincere letter/email explaining what the 3-Day is what the donations are used for. Our team has raised approximately $500,000 over the past years 10 years.

I also remind potential donors that I am a CPA and that all the money that they contribute to the 3-Day is fully deductible.

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

Have fun, remember to enjoy the experience, pray for no rain and few hills.

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

In spite of the blisters and aching muscles one endures during the walk, it pales in comparison to what those effected with breast cancer experience.

Congratulations to the 2018 Philadelphia 3-Day Local Impact Award Winner, Dawn Kifer

For the 2018 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 2018 Philadelphia 3-Day Local Impact Award Winner, Dawn Kifer.

Her friends and family know how much the 3-Day means to Dawn

Jennifer Marandino says, “As a previous training walk leader I know the commitment it requires. Dawn has tremendously dedicated her time and energy serving as a training walk leader to those in the southern New Jersey area for several years.

As a training walk leader, Dawn makes new and veteran walkers feel welcome, preparing them for the 3-Day, providing sound advice and words of wisdom. I am proud to call Dawn a teammate and dear friend. I can always count on her to be my sounding board, my voice of reason, and my calm among the drama.”

In addition, Laurie Pino raves about Dawn!

“I met Dawn 2 years ago as I was preparing for my first 3-Day walk in Philadelphia. She greeted me with a warm smile and guided me through my first long training walk. Since then, we have worked closely on fundraisers, continue training walks together, share co-captain responsibilities for our team of 12, and most importantly laughs with me throughout it all! She is always available to answer our questions and offer advice. I am truly blessed to have met such a wonderful teammate and friend! She is very deserving of this award!”

With such high praise, we just had to hear from Dawn herself. When she answered these questions, she didn’t know she was going to be our Local Impact winner!

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

In January of 2011, a friend of mine had said she was going to do the 3-Day, my response was, “Okay, I will too”. My aunt is a survivor, and I had friends and co-workers that were also survivors.

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

To be perfectly honest, when I signed up that first time, I figured it would be a one and done thing. Boy was I wrong! When I walked that first year, it became clear that this was a journey that had changed my life. The support I saw from the communities where we walked and the number of people walking certainly had an impact but actually getting to know the people I was walking with and the people I was walking for, made me realize that this is something that I just can’t walk away from.

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

Don’t be afraid to ask…People will give from their heart and they will give what they can. Just remember that no amount is too little.

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

The 3-Day gives us a training schedule to follow. It’s great if you can follow that, but realistically, life happens, so it’s important to train when you can. I would say that it’s important to do at least one big back-to-back weekend (18/13 or 18/15 miles in one weekend) just so you can see how your body will feel. Also be sure to train in what you intend to wear on event (tops, pants/shorts, socks, sneakers, underwear, sports bra, back pack/fanny pack). If you’re not comfortable for 3 miles, 10 miles, 18 miles, you’re definitely not going to be comfortable for 20+ plus miles. Also, be sure to listen to your body. If you feel like you just can’t go on, get on a sweep van. That’s what they’re there for. Last but not least, be sure to hydrate! This is something that can not be stressed enough. You should have water and some type of drink with electrolytes.

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

Breast cancer does not discriminate, it doesn’t care if you old or young, male or female, and it doesn’t care that you’ve already battled it before, it will come after you again and again. We are have to be stronger that it, we have to continue to fight it and stop it. We will continue this journey until we bring an end to breast cancer.