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New England 3-Day Raises $2.4 Million to End Breast Cancer

Walkers on Day 3 of the New England 3-Day 2025.

This past weekend, the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® returned to New England, and the Pink Bubble showed up in full force with 930 walkers and crew members raising $2.4 million. 

Before the walk began, 3-Day veterans were reminded to keep an eye out for first-time walkers to offer encouragement and support through a fist bump, hug or high-five along the route. 

A walker getting a high-five at the News England 3-Day.

Day 1 

At the Opening Ceremony, held at the Marriott Copley Place, powerful speeches from participants deeply connected to the Pink Bubble community set the tone. Heather B., diagnosed with breast cancer at age 39 during the height of the coronavirus pandemic, shared her story of isolation during her treatment and her journey toward healing. “This June, I celebrated five years as a survivor,” she said. “Until there’s a cure, I’ll keep showing up.” 

First-time walker Maureen O. took the stage and said she was inspired by her friend, Lynn, a breast cancer survivor who has completed 18 3-Days. Maureen walked for her sister, Kelly, a two-time breast cancer survivor. “I walk for the survivors. For the fighters. And for the families who ‘ve lost too much,” Maureen said. “And I walk for my seven nieces and nephews, believing that because of the Pink Bubble they’ll grow up in a world without breast cancer.” 

The Promise Flag was raised by sisters, Heather and Kristen, honoring their mother, Birgit M., who died from breast cancer 25 years ago at the age of 59. “We walk for her and for all the mothers, sisters, daughters and friends we’ve loved and lost—dreaming of a day when no one has to walk in memory,” they said.

Survivors and those living with metastatic breast cancer led walkers out for their first 20 unforgettable miles. The route wound past Boston icons like the Citgo sign and through the tree-lined neighborhoods of Brookline, Chestnut Hill and Brighton. 

That night, the Celebration of Champions, sponsored by national presenting sponsor Bank of America, recognized top fundraisers and teams, plus the youngest crew members and fundraisers from the Youth Corps.  

2025 Youth Corps at New England 3-Day

Gregory B. was honored as the 3-Day Rookie of the year, raising over $14,000 in his first walk. 

New for 2025 were participant superlative awards, chosen by the 3-Day Advisory Council, veteran 3-Day walkers and crew members who, in addition to raising money and walking 60 miles, also volunteer to serve this group, working closely with Komen all year long to help steward this special community. 

Coach Heather presented the Milestone Award to Karen E., a 19-time walker who has raised over $182,000. Coach Kiah awarded the Crew Impact Award to Kirstin B. She has raised over $26,000, participated in 28 3-Days and is an integral part of the medical crew. 

Kirstin B. receiving the Crew Impact Award at the 2025 New England 3-Day.

Day 2 

Day two began through the Underground at Ink Block and continued by Boston’s historic sites, including the Old State House, Fort Point Channel and the iconic Cheers bar made famous by the long-running TV sitcom. Walkers even passed Fenway Park, the famed home of the Boston Red Sox since 1912. Along the way, the Memorial Mile offered a moment of quiet reflection for loved ones who have lost their lives to breast cancer.

Memorial Mile 2025 New England 3-Day

Among the walkers was Kim G., who is living with metastatic breast cancer. She walked her second 3-Day on her last weekend of being 60. “I participated in my first 3-Day in Washington D.C. 21 years ago,” Kim said.” I’m thrilled to be walking 60 miles in the Pink Bubble.” 

After more than 40 miles walked, the massage chairs provided by Bank of America were a welcome end-of-day relief.  

Day 2 at the New England 3-Day 2025

That evening, the Honor Ceremony celebrated the Youth Corps, who raised $8,930 and helped support walkers along the route. Each shared their personal connection to breast cancer and were applauded by the audience for their courage.  

Mary Beth M. spoke at the ceremony and honored her husband, Ron, who died from metastatic breast cancer four years ago saying, “His spirit still walks with me, every mile, every step,” she said.  

Courtney L. honored her mother-in-law—who is a breast cancer survivor—and her mother, Brandy, who walked the 3-Day and died 10 years after being diagnosed with breast cancer. “Every step feels like time spent with her. It’s like we’re walking together; me on earth, and her in heaven,” she said. 

Luminarias at the 2025 New England 3-Day

Participants lit candles and placed them in luminaria bags with names of loved ones, creating a moving close to Day 2. 

Day 3 

As temperatures rose on Sunday, the 3-Day adjusted for an earlier start. The route brought walkers past Boston Common, the Frog Pond and along the stories Freedom Trail. Along the way, they encountered historical landmarks like the USS Constitution, Old Church North and Paul Revere’s House. Walkers were even greeted with some 3-Day supporters dressed as colonialists. 

2025 New England 3-Day

Justin G., a four-year participant and XPO employee, walked the final day to support his aunt, sister and friend who were affected by breast cancer. “This cause is huge to me and to everyone who walks it,” he said. “It means everything to me.”  

At the Closing Ceremony, Shirley E., Jennifer S, Mary C. and Tracy F. were welcomed into the Lifetime Commitment Club after raising over $100,000 each for the 3-Day.  

Last walker at the 2025 New England 3-Day

As the final mother and daughter walker crossed the finish line, the Pink Bubble gathered to cheer them on. The Last Walker Flag was raised and everyone celebrated, hugged and lifted their shoes in honor of every survivor and thriver who made the 3-Day journey unforgettable. 

Shoes raised at the Closing Ceremony of the 2025 New England 3-Day.

The New England 3-Day was a weekend filled with dedication, celebration, hope and remembrance. The $2.4 million raised will power groundbreaking research and provide critical support to those impacted by breast cancer. 

None of this would be possible without the generous support of our national series sponsors Mohawk Flooring, Ready and XPO and Bank of America, our longtime national presenting sponsor. From the pink Mohawk carpets to the Bank of America massage chairs, Pit Stop cheer squads from Ready and XPO’s amazing employees walking with us and helping transport our event must-haves from city to city, these partners make every step of the 3-Day journey possible, and we couldn’t do this without them.  

 

Growing Up in the Pink Bubble

Sierra B. at the Denver 3-Day

Sierra B.’s connection to the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® began long before she was old enough to walk the route. Inspired by her mother, Janice, who became a dedicated participant after supporting a great aunt and a close friend who had breast cancer, Sierra grew up watching the 3-Day impact lives.

“In the Pink Bubble, you meet people who change your life and your perspective on how valuable life is,” said Sierra, now 24.

In 2007, breast cancer struck close to home. Sierra’s grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer and passed away in 2012 after being re-diagnosed. Sierra’s other grandmother died in 2022 from breast cancer. At the time of her first grandmother’s diagnosis, Sierra was only 11 and not old enough to walk the 3-Day, so she joined the Seattle 3-Day Youth Corps instead. The Youth Corps is a select group of young volunteers, aged 10 to 16, who support walkers during the event. She called it an “eye-opening” experience that led to lasting friendships.

“A lot of the other kids had lost grandmothers, aunts and even their moms who had either fought breast cancer or who died from it,” Sierra said. “Youth Corps showed me I wasn’t alone.”

When she turned 15, Sierra began walking the 3-Day with her mom and the Babes 4 Boobs Atlanta Gang. Since then, she’s walked in the Twin Cities, San Diego, Atlanta and Denver. The team has raised $253,961 for the 3-Day and has found success with different fundraisers. In the summer the team hosts a very successful golf tournament. In the fall they put together a corn hole tournament. They also organize a Super Bowl-themed fundraiser. One year, Sierra made and sold chocolate-covered strawberries for Valentine’s Day, raising over $800.

Now with even more close family members and friends getting diagnosed with breast cancer within the last two years, Sierra says her commitment to the 3-Day is stronger than ever. Sierra began recruiting friends in 2023; now two of her best friends walk with her in the 3-Day each year. Aside from the fundraising, Sierra said she values the challenge of the 3-Day and the sense of accomplishment.

“You cross that finish line after walking 60 miles and you think, ‘I really just did that.’” she said. “I could do anything.”

Visit the 3-Day today to register for the final Denver 3-Day!

It’s Time to Train for the 3-Day

Burt Lipshie has been a longtime training walk leader for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day.

With this year’s Susan G. Komen 3-Day® season fast approaching, it’s important to start training now. No matter if you plan to walk 20, 40 or 60 miles, preparing your body and mind is key to a successful experience.   

Why Training Matters 

Think of training as the foundation of your 3-Day journey. It strengthens you physically and mentally and ensures you’re ready for the up to 60-mile challenge to end breast cancer. The 3-Day events take participants through Denver, Boston, Dallas/Fort Worth and San Diego; each with unique routes, terrain and weather. While each route is carefully designed to accommodate all fitness levels, training beforehand is critical. 

Start Here 

One of the best ways to train is by joining one of the 3-Day training walks. Led by volunteers who are experienced participants, the training walks are a great way to build your endurance, boost your motivation and meet fellow 3-Day walkers. Burt L., a longtime training walk leader from New York, urges everyone who is registered for the 3-Day to train as much as possible. 

“People have said to me, ‘I don’t need to train for the 3-Day. I do marathons, I’m in great shape,’” Burt recalled. “My response to them is that the 3-Day is different. You get up and do it again, and then you get up the next day and do it again. Training is critical because you need the miles on your legs, and you need the miles on your feet.” 

Burt and his training walk group strive to meet monthly, walk 10 to 20 miles together and always end their walks with pizza. “The people in this group each walk at different 3-Day events, but we train and prepare together, and it’s a great way to look forward to the 3-Day,” he said. 

Training Tips  

Training looks different for everyone, so find what works best for you. Here are a few important training tips:  

  • A great place to start your training is by checking out the 3-Day training schedules.  
  • Schedule back-to-back training walks (it’s Day 2 and 3 that are hardest on-event). 
  • Your feet will swell, so invest in a good pair of shoes that are a full size bigger than your usual size. 
  • Increase your walking mileage by setting new weekly goals. 
  • Find a training buddy. It’s easy to type in your zip code on our Training Walk Calendar and find other participants in your area.  
  • Don’t forget to train in the shoes you plan to wear at the 3-Day! 

Visit the 3-Day to connect with the 3-Day community and learn more about training.

Please note: The health, safety and training information provided to you in connection with your participation in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® is not intended to replace or be construed as medical advice and any such information is not a substitute for seeking medical advice or treatment from your medical provider. Before starting any exercise program or following any recommendations, advice or other instructions regarding training for the Komen 3-Day or any athletic event, you should first consult a physician and have physical examination.