Congratulations to our 2022 San Diego 3-Day Milestone Award Winner Gemma G.! Gemma has participated in 13 3-Days over 10 years and has raised over $224,000 in the fight against breast cancer. We asked Gemma a few questions about her experience with the 3-Day:
What was your inspiration to do your first 3-Day?
The first time I heard about the 3-Day was through a commercial. I remember someone on the commercial saying something like, “I didn’t think I could do it. I didn’t think I could walk 60 miles” and my eyes opened up to this; my heart was in it, and here I am today! My mom said it was meant to be, and here I am, still putting one foot in front of the other.
What has brought you back to the 3-Day year after year?
I have made so many friends, and my job isn’t done yet. I have lost many friends and family to cancer and I want to help make a difference.
What is your best advice to anyone walking the 3-Day?
Have fun and train!
What are the most important lessons you’ve learned on the 3-Day?
It isn’t easy, but raising the money takes more than just myself. The small community I live in is still behind me 110%. Their support is amazing! I might “walk the walk,” but without my family, friends and continued support of my community, I wouldn’t be able to do what I do.
Coach Staci shared a brief testimonial about Gemma:
“Gemma is the epitome of selflessness. Over the years, she has done it all: from organizing a local run/walk to recycling. In the process she has found a way to inspire her very small community to rally behind her 110%. Gemma’s success has become her community’s passion and she is humbled by their outpouring of support.”
Congratulations, Gemma, and thank you for your dedication to the 3-Day!
The 2022 San Diego 3-Day is in the books! With the help of 1,700 walkers and 325 crew members, including our top fundraisers recognized below, $5.3 million was raised in the fight against breast cancer.
Our top fundraisers were recognized Friday evening of the event at our Bank of America Celebration of Champions. Bank of America celebrates our fundraising champions with a collective $25,000 donation to jump-start participants on their 2023 fundraising! Join us in congratulating these top fundraisers for their incredible achievements.
Our top individual fundraiser is Loretta E.! Loretta raised over $37,000 for the San Diego 3-Day this year and has raised over $536,000 over the last 15 years for the 17 3-Day events she has participated in. Loretta received a $300 donation from Bank of America to go towards her 2023 fundraising!
Our top crew fundraiser is Barbara B.! Barbara raised over $6,800 this year and has raised over $39,000 in the nine years and 20 3-Day events she has participated in! Barbara received a $300 donation towards her 2023 fundraising, courtesy of Bank of America.
Next up is our Rookie of the Year, Patrick P. Patrick raised over $17,000 for his first ever 3-Day! Patrick received a $250 donation from Bank of America that will go towards his fundraising for a 2023 3-Day event. Way to go, Patrick!
Our Small but Mighty Team Award goes to Ta-Ta’s from KC! This team is comprised of five members, captained by Lindsey B. Together, they raised over $61,000! The Ta-Ta’s from KC received a $250 donation courtesy of Bank of America to go towards their 2023 fundraising!
Last but not least, our top fundraising team is Hands Up For Hooters! Captained by Sally D., Hands Up For Hooters has 73 team members and has been a team for seven years. This year, they raised over $158,000, and have raised over $1.14 million in their lifetime as a team! They received a $1,000 donation from Bank of America to go towards their 2023 Susan G. Komen 3-Day fundraising.
Congratulations to all of our top fundraisers for the San Diego 3-Day, and a huge thank you to all walkers and crew who together helped raise $5.3 million in the fight against breast cancer!
My first 3-Day was in 2001 in New York City, right after 9/11, on the fifth anniversary of my first round of breast cancer. I heard an ad for the 3-Day and I knew I had to walk; I had to do something. At the Closing Ceremony I stood with a young woman, a few years younger than me, who was crying because she was afraid she would never have children. I showed her a picture of my one-year-old daughter, born soon after my diagnosis. Her tears dried up, and she hugged me. During the ceremony, a woman spoke who had to choose between being in the 3-Day Closing Ceremony and being at a memorial for her brother who was killed in the 9/11 attacks. She chose the 3-Day because she chose hope. I could talk for hours about how amazing my first walk was, but all you need to know is that I was hooked. And, by the way, my daughter took her first steps as I took the last steps of my 60 miles.
What has brought you back to the 3-Day year after year?
The Pink Bubble, the people and the lessons of kindness and compassion bring me back. Nowhere else is there the kindness, the silliness, the joy and the sorrow. The people, my friends, the walkers, the other crew, the staff and the cause make this event addictive. And, of course, my sister would never forgive me if I didn’t.
What is your favorite aspect of crewing the 3-Day?
As a walker, I raised money, played music, met people and had fun. But I saw what a difference the crew made for us. And I knew I was better suited for crewing. Working at a pit stop, I could make the walk better for every walker. When we did a “Rocky Horror Picture Show” theme, our crew chose to play the “Time Warp” continuously, and each walker thought it was just for him or her. When we dressed up as Peter Pan, walkers believed that Tinkerbelle’s magic fairy dust could make them fly. But now, on the Sweep Crew, I can make the walk better for every walker who needs it the most, and then maybe that walker will have a better walk. Maybe I’ll come back next year with a new friend.
What is your best advice to anyone crewing the 3-Day?
First and most importantly, have fun. Have lots of fun, and really have fun outside your comfort zone. Second, give and give and give some more. Pour out everything you have in you for the walkers. Of course, do what the staff and your crew captains ask, be flexible, etc. But remember that the joy you give is what creates the Pink Bubble.
What’s a fun fact about you?
Although I grew up in California, I am genetically a Mets fan, whose colors are Brooklyn Dodger Blue and NY Giants orange. Why? My dad was a NY Giants fan, and my mom is a Brooklyn Dodgers fan, so I truly am genetically a Mets fan. You have got to believe!
What are the most important lessons you’ve learned on the 3-Day?
Obviously, I have learned to listen to the staff, my crew captain and learned to be flexible. Very flexible (except, not at yoga). As I said, I have learned over and over the value of giving and sharing. I also learned a huge life lesson: tolerance is about tolerating what you don’t agree with, not what you do agree with. I love the diversity of the people I know from the 3-Day. That is a gift. I have also learned that I can do what I didn’t think I could do and that my life is better because of it. Oh, and I learned that I can make creative, crazy hats!
Beth’s friend Melissa shared a brief testimonial with us:
“Beth has been a fantastic crew member in the many years I have had the pleasure to work alongside her. She is a supportive friend that is always ready to jump in and help with anything that she can. As a survivor, she is a constant supporter of the walkers, fellow crew, and the Susan G. Komen mission to eradicate breast cancer. She has made an impact in my personal life as well as my 3-Day life, and I am proud to call her my friend. Beth embodies the definition of a 3-Day crew member ― Be Kind, Be Flexible and Be Prompt.”
Congratulations to Beth for being our 2022 San Diego Crew Impact Award Winner! And thank you, Beth, for your continued support and dedication to the 3-Day!
You must be logged in to post a comment.