Introducing the 3-Day Series Walkers – Part 1

Anyone who steps up to the challenge of participating in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® is making an incredible commitment. The months spent on fundraising strategy and execution, training plans and schedules, prepping, packing and traveling almost make it feel like the Komen 3-Day is your second job (good thing it’s a job you love!).

That’s why it’s especially remarkable when we meet a walker who makes the extraordinary decision to walk in every 3-Day® event in one year. In the past, there have been one or two walkers each year who dedicate themselves to walking the “full series,” but in 2014, we are honored to have eight amazing people taking on the full series and walking in all seven 3-Day events.

Today, let’s meet two of the series walkers, and we’ll introduce you to the rest over the next few days!

Nicole H.

Nicole and her primitive pink friend

What’s your name and where are you from? – My name is Nicole Hercules and I am from St. Peters, Missouri
What is your 3-Day history (how many events have you walked/crewed?) – I began walking the 3-Day in 2010. Last year I completed my 6th event as a walker with the 3-Day.
How/why did you first get involved with the 3-Day? – I became involved with the 3-Day because I lost my mom to breast cancer in 2004. In 2009, I also discovered that I am considered high risk. Those were my main reasons in 2010, now in 2014 there are too many to even count.
Are you part of any teams in 2014? – I am on a team for every 3-Day except for Twin Cities.
What made you decide to do all 7 events this year? – My dad was diagnosed with lung cancer a few days before I left for the Cleveland event last year. He passed away on November 5, 2013. I have now lost two parents to cancer. I will turn 40 in August, and it will be my 10th birthday without my mom. I figured if there was a year to do it, this would be the one.
What are your go-to fundraising strategies? – Ask anyone and everyone. All they can say is no. Also don’t be afraid to try new things. You never know what might take off.
What are you looking forward to the most with your walks this year? – Making a difference and meeting new people. I want to show others that anything can be done if you want it bad enough. There isn’t much in the world that I want more than a cure for cancer.
Is there anything that you’re nervous about? – Not really. Maybe back-to-back 3-Day events; I haven’t ever done those before. Oh and that crazy long bridge in Seattle.
What 3 words would you use to describe the 3-Day? – Hope, Cure, and Love

Melissa P.

Yeah. Melissa looks ready. 🙂

What’s your name and where are you from? – Melissa Province – Minneola, Kansas
What is your 3-Day history (how many events have you walked/crewed?) – 2011 – walked Dallas (with broken foot!); 2012 – walked Dallas; 2013 – walked San Diego [Correction: Melissa walked Seattle in 2013!]
How/why did you first get involved with the 3-Day? – Shortly after my step mother Marcy faced her 2nd diagnosis of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, I decided I wanted to be more actively involved with advocating, awareness and early detection. My grandmother, a breast cancer survivor and one of my biggest motivators, had a huge influence on my decision to get involved with the 3-Day. After all, I had 2 amazing examples of fighters, 2 inspiring stories of hope, and 2 perfect examples of the importance of early detection right before my eyes.
Are you part of any teams in 2014? – I am so excited about my teams this year! In Michigan, I have the honor to walk with Cleveland Cleavage. Twin Cities, I am available if anyone needs another walker to join their team! Philly, I have the privilege to be part of an amazing team known as Breast Friends of Pennsylvania. Seattle is exciting because I will get to walk with my awesome friends as part of Team Tracy! Atlanta, I am joining the Atlanta Alliance. Dallas, I am walking with the Wonder Boobs! San Diego, I get to be reunited with the every so classy and super sassy team that I love with all of my heart, Saving Private Tatas.
What made you decide to do all 7 events this year? – I am a dreamer, so since 2012 I knew that someday I would walk all of the 3-Day events in one year. I like to set insane goals and then go out there and grab them. I wasn’t really sure that this was the year – until my Sole Sister, Nicole [Hercules, a fellow 2014 series walker] called me with the news of her father passing from lung cancer. My immediate response was “I have to walk all 7.” She agreed that she had to as well. We quickly went on a registering spree, and here we are!
What are your go-to fundraising strategies? – The best way to raise money is to simply ask. When people know that you are only “so much” short of a goal, they want to help you. If I am $100 short of hitting the 70% mark, I post that to Facebook. Personally, I think that people enjoy knowing that they were responsible for getting you to the next mile marker. When all else fails, you tell people that your gigantic husband will paint his toenails pink when your account reaches $100, dye his beard pink at $500, dance in a tutu at $1000 and cook pizza in your restaurant all weekend long in a tutu once your reach $2300. It will freak your kids out, but your account fills up pretty quickly!
What are you looking forward to the most with your walks this year? – I love people, so I am most looking forward to making new friends. I am also looking forward to camping in a hot pink tent, and the Macaroni and Cheese.
Is there anything that you’re nervous about? – Nervous, I am! I am absolutely freaking out about hitting my fundraising minimum for all 7 cities. It is such a huge dedication, and I don’t want to fail anyone because I fell short of the fundraising requirements.
What 3 words would you use to describe the 3-Day? – Motivational, Inspirational, Sensational!

Come back to the 3-Day blog tomorrow to meet two more of our full series walkers!

May 2014 3-Day Meet-up Round-up and Tweet Chat Recap

The beautiful month of May brought us face-to-face with so many of our amazing Susan G. Komen 3-Day® participants and supporters. The warmer weather provided wonderful conditions for our many Komen 3-Day Training Kick-off Events, as well as other meetings and get-togethers. Come see where we’ve been!

Michigan

In Michigan, new walkers gathered at a California Pizza Kitchen to share a meal and get advice from some seasoned 3-Day veterans. Michigan 3-Dayers also had some fun with wine at Michigan By The Bottle, and got their families involved at the Maybury State Park Family Meet-Up. Some of these events will be happening again in June, so check the calendar and don’t miss out!

Twin Cities

The Twin Cities Training Walk Kick-off event was on May 3^rd. The 20+ participants in attendance started the morning off with a 3-mile walk around beautiful Lake Harriet, followed by a training workshop led by New Balance Outfitter, GEAR Running Store. The walkers were even supported by an awesome group of crew members/volunteers who set up a pit stop back at the store. Lots of 3-Day excitement!

Seattle

Training walk leader Sandra led this group of Seattle participants on a fun and informative 3-mile Walk & Talk to Pioneer Park and back to Wanna Cupcake for a delicious ending. Check the June calendar at The3Day.org/Calendar for more Seattle training events and meetings.

Atlanta

On May 3^rd we had the Training Kick-off event for the Atlanta 3-Day. Nearly 40 gathered at the New Balance store, excited about the perfect walking weather that morning. They had the choice of an 8-mile or 4-mile route (most opted for the full 8), and once the walkers were out, a few wonderful crew members and coaches set up a pit stop, complete with water, oranges, bananas, bagels, and of course some Snickers. Back at the store after the walk, the coaches hosted a packing workshop while the New Balance folks helped with lots of shoe fittings. By the end, walkers were already asking about having another Training Kick-Off event at the 16 week-out mark.

Dallas/Fort Worth

3-Day coaches, walkers and crew members gathered for a Meet & Greet at The Vintage House, a charming 100+ year old home/shop in Historic Downtown Carrollton which is famously known as “The Pink House” – how perfect!

San Diego

Like so many other 3-Day cities, San Diego kicked off its 24-week training schedule with a bang! Nearly 50 walkers and volunteers met at the Encinitas New Balance store. A representative from the local Susan G. Komen® affiliate gave an inspirational talk before the walkers were off on a 3- or 7-mile training walk (most jumped right in for the full 7!). They were even supported by two Route Safety crew members on bikes, and treated to a seaside pit stop along their route.

The 3-Day at the Race for the Cure®

Local Race for the Cure® events were held in a few of our 3-Day cities this past month, and the 3-Day coaches were on-hand to support the racers and say hello to our 3-Day family in attendance.

Saturday, May 10 – Twin Cities Race for the Cure

Sunday, May 11 – Philadelphia Race for the Cure

Sunday, June 1 – Puget Sound Race for the Cure

What? You missed out on these events in May? Well don’t you worry, because June is bursting with more meet-up opportunities in every 3-Day location. Find out where to find us at The3Day.org/calendar.

Wait, there’s more! We even met up in cyberspace!

On May 29, the 3-Day hosted its very first Tweet Chat. We joined with dozens of 3-Day walkers and crew members on Twitter and spent over an hour swapping fundraising tips and advice. It was fast paced, fun and inspiring to see so many 3-Day participants sharing their ideas with each other in this virtual meeting room. We’ve posted some highlights below, but you can see the whole conversation by visiting the 3-Day Twitter page (www.twitter.com/the3day), or searching for the hashtag #the3day, then scrolling to the May 29 posts. And of course, keep your eye on the 3-Day social networking sites for announcements about our next Tweet Chat, coming soon….

@The3Day This is a great way to maximize cash donations! I’m planning to do this to help with my fundraising this year. #the3day

— Shannon Underwood (@indygirl_1997) May 30, 2014

Send your donation form to all of the people you pay your bills to: Dr., Dentist, Lawn care, and even hair stylist. #The3Day

— Tara Preyers (@twitawhat) May 30, 2014

Personal connections and communications might be more effective than mass email blasts for fundraising. #tellyourstory #the3day

— dloveteach (@dloveteach) May 30, 2014

@twitawhat …and dates help. “I want to raise my $2300 by July 1” – people respond to deadlines! #the3day

— Alison Glancz (@glancz) May 30, 2014

If you want to go wild, offer to dye your hair or get a tattoo if you reach your goals! #the3day #fundraising

— Ann Love (@AnnLoves_Pink) May 30, 2014

@The3Day My most effective fundraising method has been blogging: making my story personal. Ppl want to know that you’re committed. #the3day

— Jay Furr (@jayfurr) May 30, 2014

@The3Day Never stop asking. Never stop learning. Vary options to catch the maximum amount of people. #fundraising #the3day

— Julie Bagel (@JulieWalks) May 30, 2014

The Philadelphia 3-Day Success

The Susan G. Komen 3-Day^® started in Philadelphia with a bang on Friday morning, October 4, at the Willow Grove Mall in a warm, pleasant sunrise, and the anticipation and excitement of starting the physically demanding and personally challenging 60-mile course that wound its way through the greater Philadelphia area. Many first-time Komen 3-Day walkers seemed excited and a bit nervous about the daunting task, but the crowd of 1200 walkers, over 350 crew members, and family and friends were quickly engulfed by the spirit of the event that would raise $3.2 million to help end breast cancer!

The challenges of Day 1 often include a few new blisters as the day wears on, and the Medical Crew was in full force, assisting those who needed a little extra help. The sports medicine volunteer crew members were heaven-sent as they provided help in stretching out the sore and aching muscles that only 22.9 miles will bring. Though the heat index was high, some of the beautiful views of the Schuylkill River made up for it, and the trek up and around the Philadelphia Art Museum started the walkers to camp, held in the Philadelphia Convention Center. After some well deserved dinner, the walkers and crew were treated to a camp show of the day’s events, games by presenting sponsor Bank of America, recognition of Philadelphia’s top fundraisers, and a special Milestone Award, which was given to Andie Summers, a nine-year participant who has raised over $73,000 to date (and counting!). Congratulations to Andie for her dedicated efforts for the 3-Day®. She is also the captain of Team XTU Xtra Mile, which was Philadelphia’s second-highest fundraising team with $58,534 raised just this year.

Day 2 and the 22.3-mile leg of the 60-mile journey started out with a couple of hills (no problem, right?), but the scenery of West Fairmont Park made up for that as well. The heat index was high again on Saturday, and besides two official cheering stations, the course was dotted with private cheering stations in the neighborhoods of Bala Cynwyd, Nerberth, Haverford, Penn Wynne, and Wynnewood. The New Balance-sponsored cheerleaders from Garden Valley helped liven the group at Pit Stop 2. The camp show capped off a great day with moving speeches by Ellen Gunther, a co-survivor, and Sharon Slosarik, a young survivor. A little dance party never hurt anyone, and Philadelphia knows how to dance!

Sunday’s 14.4-mile route was exciting as almost the entire group of walkers lined up for the opening of the route, a sight to behold. Walkers worked their way through downtown Philadelphia and enjoyed the cheering stations at Passyunk Square, University of the Arts, and FDR. The Eagles’ Drumline happened to be encouraging the walkers to finish strong at the Navy Yard with their professional beats. A large crowd of friends and family gathered to cheer on these dedicated walkers and fundraisers, and gathered for a moving Closing Ceremony in great weather, honoring the walkers and crew of the Philadelphia 3-Day and the breast cancer survivors. Thank you Philadelphia and we’ll see you next year!