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.
What’s a fun fact about you?
My favorite musical group is the Beatles, and my favorite song is “Let it Be”
My favorite sports teams are the Ohio State Buckeyes, Philadelphia Eagles, and the Cincinnati Bengals.
I learned how to count to 10 in Spanish on Sesame Street and I can say “Thank You” in Polish too.
And I completed a Triathlon Sprint when I turned 50!
We also walked by the dueling Pat and Geno’s Steak Shops at mile 11, with some walkers stopping for a yummy bite to eat. After some classic Philly fare, it was onwards past a cheering station at Marconi Plaza, and then past the Sports Complex (home of the Phillies, Flyers, Sixers and Eagles), being welcomed by the Eagles Drum and Bugle Corps who could be heard from a mile away. We also spotted another dancing unicorn — just the whimsical sight we needed to put some pep in our step as we marched toward Closing Ceremony.
