July Pink Bubble Story of the Month — Emily W.

Year in and year out, the Pink Bubble takes over cities from coast to coast, forming a sea of pink wigs, bras, smiles, and hope. Everyone gathers with the same goal— to raise funds in the fight against breast cancer. Amid the army of pink comradery, however, are thousands of individuals with unique stories depicting why they decided to commit to the Susan G. Komen 3-Day. Today, we get to share with you the story of Emily W., a member of the Komen 3-Day Advisory Council who is taking on all five 3-Day walks this year Emily first learned about the 3-Day in 2017 while reading Nancy Brinker’s book Promise Me, which depicts the true story of Nancy’s commitment to her sister Susan G. Komen to lift the stigmatized silence that surrounded breast cancer. “I recall listening to a story about a mother and daughter walking in San Diego after the mother’s fight with breast cancer,” Emily commented. “I thought walking in honor of my mother-in-law Lori would be a great way to show my support for her survivorship.” With her motivation clear, Emily went on to walk her first 3-Day in Michigan that same year. She arrived as a solo walker but quickly met her current team at the Opening Ceremony, recalling that she “did not spend a moment alone the rest of the weekend!” From that moment on, Emily was a member of the Pink Bubble for the long haul. The next year, she walked with her new team, the BC Babes, in Michigan where her mother-in-law Lori and Lori’s daughter, Heather, walked by her side. In 2019, Emily walked again in Michigan with her best friend Rachelle, now a triple-negative breast cancer survivor! In 2021, Emily herself received a stage 3 breast cancer diagnosis. However, this only motivated her to push further in her advocacy and participate in 3-Day Nation that same year. She went on to receive 16 rounds of chemotherapy treatment, a double mastectomy, 33 radiation treatments, and two explant surgeries due to breast implant illness. In 2022, Emily continued walking, where she fiercely took on the 3-Day in both Chicago and San Diego, for a total of 120 miles completed as a breast cancer survivor.

As she awaits her final reconstructive surgery, Emily looks forward to walking in all five 3-Day events in 2023. “I didn’t know how to limit my passion for finding a cure, so I decided to take on the ultimate challenge,” she declared. Joining her will be her daughter Ava, a member of the Youth Corps in both Chicago and Dallas, as well as her friends and teammates, first-time walkers Rachel (San Diego) and Katie (Dallas), and two-time walkers Mary Beth (Dallas) and Kodi (Denver).

In addition to walking 300 miles across five cities this year, Emily serves as a member of the Advisory Council to ensure her voice is heard during important exchanges regarding the future of the 3-Day. As the needs of breast cancer patients change, she says it is crucial that survivors and advocates of breast cancer be on the forefront of these conversations. As a member of the Advisory Council, Emily attends virtual meetings each month to discuss 3-Day planning, fundraising challenges, and how we can all ensure the 3-Day is the best it can be.

When asked about the fundraising portion of the 3-Day, Emily emphasized the groundbreaking research being done every day by Susan G. Komen, and how each dollar raised contributes to life-changing clinical trials. She even shared a story of the time she met a man whose father’s lung cancer was treated by a trial drug funded by Susan G. Komen breast cancer research. For anyone who is interested in joining the 3-Day, Emily provided us with some words of encouragement and wisdom. “You will meet humans like no one else on earth. You will hear stories of grief and stories of victory. You will share your why and hear the why’s of others. And it’s okay if your why is, ‘I’m not sure why.’” She acknowledged that there is time away from work and family, that raising $2,300 can be a challenge, and that walking 60 miles is a lot, but that breast cancer is harder. “And if you’re not signing up because you are not sure you can walk 60 miles, sign up! It’s supposed to be a challenge.” Now is as good a time as any to get started!

Finally, Emily shared with us an insightful description of the Pink Bubble. “Are we a whole bunch of people dressed in pink dancing down the street? Heck yes! But we are also passionate, hardworking, far-walking, money-raising cancer crushers!” With her courage and tenacity, Emily truly embodies what it means to be a 3-Dayer. Whether you are like Emily in 2017, walking your first 3-Day just to do some good in the world, or if you’re a breast cancer survivor like Emily today, the Pink Bubble always welcomes you with open arms. And remember to say hi to Emily if you see her walking this year in New England, Denver, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, or San Diego!

See previous Pink Bubble Story of the Month blog posts here.

June Pink Bubble Story of the Month – Brooke M.

At its core, the power of the 3-Day is in how it connects people and how those connections expand the community and help in the fight to end breast cancer. When on event, the Pink Bubble is a sight to behold, a sea of participants wearing all shades of pink. From Boston to San Diego, coast to coast, our host cities are left coated in the hard-won sweat and tears that pour out of this amazing community. We see parents walking with their children, friends with friends, and spouses with each other. And as beautiful as it is to witness these face-to-face relationships, those we’ve lost also come along with us on the journey. For Brooke M., being a part of the 3-Day Pink Bubble meant not only honoring a loved one but, ultimately, forging a new, yet unexpected connection.

In 1991 Brooke’s dear friend, Wendy F., died of breast cancer. She was in her early 30s and left behind four children under the age of six: a son, a daughter, and a set of twins. For her family and Brooke and other friends, everyone who knew and loved Wendy was devastated. Brooke stayed in contact with Wendy’s husband for a few years, but they lost touch after he moved and Brooke had no forwarding address to write to. And although years passed, Brooke never truly forgot her friend.

When Brooke first saw an advertisement for the 3-Day, she was looking for an opportunity to exercise more (to relieve stress from a tough corporate job) and to give her energy to a worthy cause. The 3-Day sounded like a perfect fit to meet both needs — all while honoring Wendy at the same time.

So, Brooke walked and fundraised for years — all over the U.S. Eventually, the name of her team became “4LittleWendy”. About ten years later, this routine was disrupted when she got a seemingly random contribution that immediately grabbed her attention. The donor? A young woman named Laura who shared the same last name as Wendy. Brooke’s heart immediately stopped. It turns out, Laura was Wendy’s daughter and worked for Susan G. Komen in the Midwest. On the anniversary of her mother’s death, she had googled Wendy and somehow Brooke’s 3-Day fundraising page popped up. She was completely shocked to find that this woman in California who she didn’t even know had been walking and raising money in her mother’s name for a decade.

Brooke and Laura started corresponding, and in 2010 they both attended the Chicago 3-Day together. The experience, while heart-affirming, was also heartbreaking. Laura was the spitting image of her mother and was the same age that her mom was when she and Brooke first connected in California. It really brought the tragedy of this terrible disease into focus: Brooke had gone on to live a wonderful life with fond memories of Wendy, but Laura had lived her whole life without her mother, relying on hazy recollections as she struggled to find her way in her early 20s. They had a good week together, but each went home a little overwhelmed by the reality of the breadth and depth of their loss.

Still, Brooke and Laura kept in touch, mainly through Christmas cards. Laura went on to finish college and get married, thriving through her young adulthood. And if there’s one thing Brooke’s sure of, it’s that Wendy would be proud of her daughter.

Through the experience of fundraising, training, and walking the 3-Day, there are any number of surprises that might lie in wait for any participant. Maybe you finally convince that one friend to join your team, or your child lets you know that they’re deeply interested in joining the Youth Corps. These are shining moments that can strike like lightning, quick and powerful, immediately changing your year, or maybe even your life. For Brooke, that meant being found by and then walking in lockstep with the child of a dear friend. There’s so much magic that will reveal itself to you in the Pink Bubble as you bond with those around you. While you won’t see it coming every time, if you keep your eyes, ears, and heart open, it will always find you — right on schedule.

Laura (left) and Brooke (right) carried banners at the Opening Ceremony of the 2010 Chicago 3-Day.

May Pink Bubble Story of the Month

Meet Sharon R., a passionate advocate for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day. What started as a simple act of volunteerism in 2011 has turned into a deep-seated commitment to making a difference in the fight against breast cancer. With an impressive track record of 18 Komen 3-Day events under her belt and two more already on the horizon, Sharon’s commitment to the 3-Day is fueled by her dream of no one having to lose a loved one to this disease ever again.

What is your connection to breast cancer?

My connection to breast cancer started with someone I met who was an advocate at a local hospital and we started talking about it. I never realized how many people this disease affected, so I knew I had to be involved in any way I could.

When did you first get involved in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day?

The first time I got involved with the 3-Day was when I was volunteering for the local Komen affiliate in Dallas and was asked to help volunteer at the Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day. WOW! I had no idea what I was in for. I started helping at 3-Day Main Street, sorting mail and legacy pins. The amount of mail people sent to the walkers and crew was overwhelming; so many people supported their friends and family on their journey. I met many great people and heard many moving stories. On Sunday of that event, we went to Fair Park to help hand out victory shirts and flowers to the survivors as they crossed the finish line. Another WOW! I was not prepared for all the emotions I felt that day. I felt happy to see everyone complete their journey, sad that the event was ending, heartwarming to hear more stories. I was hooked and signed up to crew for the following year, and so my journey began and continues on to this day.

How many Susan G. Komen 3-Day events have you participated in? What cities are you participating in this year?

Since my first event volunteering in 2011 to present day, I have participated in 18 3-Day events. I have gone to Dallas/Fort Worth, Michigan, Boston and Chicago. I have done multiple cities in the same year. This year I signed up for Chicago and Dallas/Fort Worth.

Why do you think raising money for this cause is important?

Without funding we cannot research and help find the cures for this disease. Fundraising also brings awareness to people who may not otherwise know where the money goes.

Why are you so passionate about wanting to put an end to breast cancer?

I am tired of hearing about friends and family passing from breast cancer. I am tired of seeing the suffering of those going through it and how it affects their family and friends. I am tired of children not knowing what it’s like to have a healthy mom or dad. I am just tired and heartbroken at the loss of life.

What would you say to someone who is on the fence about registering for the 3-Day?

It is so hard to put our Pink Bubble into words without experiencing it. Being with thousands of people all there for the same reason is an extraordinary experience that is addicting. You must be a part of it to totally get it! Just try it and you will see what I mean.

Anything else you’d like to add?

The friendships I have made through the 3-Day are life changing and could not have been possible if I had not become a part of this great fight. It saddens me for those we have lost, but I am grateful to have known them and called them family.

Read our other Pink Bubble Story of the Month features on the 3-Day Blog here.