From Walker to Medical Crew: Kirstin B.’s Inspiring 3-Day Journey

Kirstin B. began her journey with the medical crew in 2016 as an emergency medical technician at the Philadelphia 3-Day.

Kirstin B. first participated in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® when she was just 15, walking in memory of her godmother who passed away from breast cancer when Kirstin was a child. Today, as a registered nurse, Kirstin plays a vital role on the 3-Day medical crew.

She began her journey with the medical crew in 2016 as an emergency medical technician at the Philadelphia 3-Day. After becoming a registered nurse, she volunteered at all 3-Day events starting in 2022, except for San Diego, where she still walks as a participant.

“When I started the 3-Day, I did it for my godmother, now I do it for everyone who is here walking,” Kirstin said. “I am so grateful to use my skills to help encourage and assist participants in achieving their walking goals.”

Kirstin and her parents at the Komen 3-Day.

The medical crew is an essential part of the 3-Day, offering support to walkers in need of medical assistance. These dedicated volunteers, who are licensed health care providers, staff the medical tents at each 3-Day location. They are available daily from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., ready to treat everything from blisters and knee pain to dehydration and bee stings. The crew also provides medical support at the pit stops, along the route and at camp.

“We’ve seen some serious medical problems like stroke and choking,” Kirstin explained. “In those situations, we immediately call 911 and make sure the person gets to the hospital.”

While the days are long for 3-Day medical crew members, the reward is more than worth it for Kirstin.

“It’s so fulfilling to listen to someone’s story of why they walk while I patch up their blisters or help them with their medical issue,” she said. “It’s even more rewarding to see them out the next day, continuing their journey, and to encourage them throughout the event.”

One memorable moment for Kirstin took place at the 2022 Boston 3-Day, when she met a couple whose daughter, Ashley, died at the age of 36 from breast cancer.

“I was helping them with their blisters, and they told me about Ashley. She was a mother of four, and her youngest was only 18 months old when she passed away,” Kirstin recalled. “I felt privileged to help them fulfill their commitment to walk 60 miles in memory of their daughter.”

Kirstin had the honor of walking across the 3-Day finish line with Ashley’s parents. “Moments like that keep me coming back to the medical crew every year,” she added.

In 2023, Kirstin served as a medical crew captain in Chicago, and this year, she will do the same in Boston.

In 2025, Kirstin Brown will be the captain for the New England 3-Day.

Are you interested in joining Kirstin on the medical crew? If so, send us an email at:

2025crew@the3day.org or visit the 3-Day for more information.

Statements and opinions expressed are that of the individual and do not express the views or opinions of Susan G. Komen. This information is being provided for educational purposes only and is not to be construed as medical advice. Persons with breast cancer should consult their health care provider with specific questions or concerns about their treatment.

Cliff’s Crew: 20 Years of Family, Hope and the Quest to End Breast Cancer

Cliff M. and his team, Cliff's Crew, at the San Diego 3-Day.

Cliff M. has been an inspiration to many in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® community, leading his team, Cliff’s Crew, in the journey to end breast cancer. His passion and unwavering dedication to the 3-Day began in 2002, after the heartbreaking loss of his dear friend, Betty Lou, to breast cancer. The following year, while watching a TV commercial about the 3-Day in Santa Barbara, Cliff said to his wife, “I want to do this in memory of Betty Lou.” And so, his journey began—and continues to this day.

A 20-Year Legacy of Hope

This year marks Cliff’s Crew’s 20th anniversary of participating in the 3-Day. Since 2005, the team has raised more than $1 million dollars for breast cancer research and is recognized as a Lifetime Fundraising Commitment Team. Their heartfelt motto: “Our journey will end when a cure is found,” reflects their profound commitment to finding a cure.

Cliff’s Crew has become a symbol of hope, inspiring not just strangers, but family and friends alike. Over the years, Cliff has trained more than 100 women and men for the 3-Day and has walked alongside his wife, his son, Brian, his daughter-in-law, and even his two granddaughters.

His granddaughter, Taylor, now 29, was so deeply moved by the 3-Day community that she decided to pursue a career in medical physics. She specializes in childhood cancer survivorship and treatment-related breast cancer risk at MD Anderson Cancer Center.

“We didn’t realize the 3-Day would make such an impact on Taylor’s life choices, but it did, and we are so proud of her,” Cliff said.

The Strength of Family

Cliff and his beloved wife, Karen.

When you speak to Cliff about his team and his journey, you immediately sense his genuine love, excitement and passion for the Pink Bubble—the unforgettable community surrounding the 3-Day. But Cliff’s story also includes personal hardships too, like many in the 3-Day community.

A few years ago, his beloved wife, Karen, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and Cliff was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Despite these personal trials, Cliff has continued with his family’s quest to end breast cancer.

“We joked about it when she was first diagnosed,” Cliff recalled. “She said to me, ‘Here you are walking for breast cancer since 2002, and you ended up with prostate cancer, and me with pancreatic cancer.’ She fought for a year and a half, then passed away in 2022 with a smile on her face, the same year we would have celebrated our 50th anniversary.”

Before Karen passed away, she had one final wish. “I remember her telling me, ‘Make sure you go down to San Diego,” he said. And two weeks later, he did, continuing the walk she had encouraged him to finish.

Supporting From the Sidelines

At 76, Cliff no longer walks in the 3-Day, but he remains a fixture at the San Diego 3-Day, supporting his team year-round and raising at least the annual minimum of $2,300. Cliff’s Crew is now managed by his son, Brian, and friend, Jana Armendariz.

“I am not as strong as I used to be, but I am still here supporting the team, cheering them on, going to San Diego and raising money not just for a cure for breast cancer, but hopefully for all cancers,” Cliff said.

For Cliff, the 3-Day is not just an event—it’s been a life-changing journey he will always cherish. “When people ask me questions about the 3-Day, I always tell them, ‘Come join me and I promise you it will change your life like it did mine,” Cliff said.

Visit the 3-Day to register and learn more.

Congratulations to our 2024 San Diego 3-Day Top Fundraisers!

The 2024 Susan G. Komen San Diego 3-Day had 1,850 walkers and 340 crew members who raised $6.4 million in the fight against breast cancer. To wrap up Day 1, our top fundraisers were recognized Friday evening at the Bank of America Celebration of Champions. This year, Bank of America has donated $33,000 to the top fundraisers to jump start their 2025 fundraising efforts. Join us in congratulating these teams and individuals for their incredible achievements and contributions!

We kicked off the celebration by recognizing our crew, who raised a combined total of $121,000 at the 2024 San Diego 3-Day! Our Top Individual Crew Fundraiser, Anna S., raised nearly $11,000 this year at her third event, with her lifetime total surpassing $18,500. She was rewarded with a $500 donation toward her 2025 Susan G. Komen 3-Day® fundraising thanks to our National Presenting Sponsor, Bank of America!

The San Diego 3-Day Youth Corps showed us that it’s never too early to make a difference, surpassing an outstanding $21,000 in the fight against breast cancer. Our Top Three Youth Corps Fundraisers demonstrated their commitment to spreading awareness and raising funds to end this disease once and for all. Talia and Leora Z. tied for first place raising over $1,500 each for their second event and will both receive a Komen 3-Day branded Hydro Flask as a token of our appreciation and to spread awareness wherever they bring it. First-timers Violet and Frankie D. were also recognized for raising over $1,400 and $1,300, respectively. We are constantly blown away by Youth Corps’ commitment to the breast cancer cause.

Next up, the incredible Sweep & Shuttle crew was recognized for the more than $21,700 raised by all 42 members captained by Janet K., Mary M., and Bridget H., making them the Top Crew Fundraising Team.

With our crew recognized, we continued by celebrating our Rookie of the Year, Robert S., who entered the Pink Bubble with gusto, raising more than $17,700 for his first 3-Day®! Bank of America gave him a head start on his 2025 fundraising with a $500 donation! We can’t wait to welcome Robert back to the 3-Day next year when he’ll no longer be a newbie! The crowd applauded for his contributions and tenacity to raise such a tremendous amount of money at his first event. What a way to kick off his Pink Bubble experience!

We then recognized our Top Individual Fundraiser, Rachel B. who raised more than $52,200, contributing to her lifetime total of nearly $369,000 raised in the past 19 years. This year, Rachel’s team of eight, Bouncin’ Buckeyes, was also awarded our Small But Mighty Team Award for raising an incredible $78,500. We’d like to extend our congratulations to the Top 2-Day Walker, Jung C., for raising $7,700 and our top 1-Day Walker, Debra R., for raising $4,000 at the San Diego 3-Day.

We went on to celebrate Hands Up For Hooters, our Top Fundraising Team, who raised more than $121,000 amongst their 84 team members, also making them the largest team! Captained by Sally D., in their 15 years as a team, Hands Up For Hooters has raised an unbelievable $1.4 million at the 3-Day and has no plans of stopping until we end breast cancer forever.

Whatever your fundraising goals were for the 2024 San Diego 3-Day, the effort you put in and the funds you raised are essential to ending this disease. On behalf of Bank of America and Susan G. Komen®, thank you for all that you do to help fight breast cancer!