Cathy’s 20-Year Journey With the 3-Day

Cathy M. and her friend, Benny, who met at the Komen 3-Day in 2004.

Cathy M. has been part of the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® for more than 20 years and still shows up each November ready to walk all 60 miles.

She has collected the names of 180 people impacted by breast cancer — names she now wears on a pink cape as she walks.

“The names are of people diagnosed with breast cancer, those we have lost and the names of inspiring survivors,” Cathy said. “I walk for them. The real heroes.”

Cathy first discovered the 3-Day while sitting at a traffic light in Southern California, where she watched a sea of walkers moving down the coast. Something about that moment stuck with her. Even though she didn’t yet have a personal connection to breast cancer, she felt drawn to be a part of it.

Cathy M. wears a pink cape that has names of people impacted by breast cancer.

Years later, that connection became deeply personal when her sister was diagnosed with breast cancer, and Cathy wanted to offer her support.

“My sister didn’t even tell us about her cancer until after her surgery,” Cathy said. “After that, I got my rear off the couch and signed up.”

Cathy walked her first 3-Day in 2003 in San Diego at the age of 51 and hasn’t missed a year since.

Since then, she’s become a resource for “newbies” taking on the Komen 3-Day, even writing her own survival guide — playfully titled 60-Mile Walk Survival Guide From an Old Lady Walking — to pass along advice based on her experience. She shares it for free on Facebook.

“I like to think I get smarter with each event under my feet,” Cathy said with a smile. “The guide is just what has worked for me and my hope is that something in there could help the new walkers.”

Cathy M. and her team walking the San Diego 3-Team during the 2010 rainstorm.

While Cathy has never had breast cancer, she said she has spent years reflecting on what keeps her coming back to the 3-Day.

“It just puts life in perspective,” Cathy said. “It grounds me and reconnects me to the Pink Bubble. The people, the atmosphere, it’s so positive. I love meeting everyone and hearing their stories. It really is more than just a walk.”

When she’s not walking in the 3-Day, Cathy is a caregiver to her 103-year-old mother in Boise, Idaho, a role that reflects the same strength and compassion she brings to the walk every year. Her sister, Terry, is a more than 20-year breast cancer survivor, and Cathy continues to walk in her honor.

Cathy also shares her 3-Day experiences through a personal blog and has written a book inspired by her journey in the Pink Bubble. For Cathy, the 3-Day is more than an event, it’s a lifelong connection to the people and stories that continue to guide her steps.

Jessica’s Story: Volunteering With a Crown at the 3-Day

Jessica Ashmore wearing her Mrs. Oklahoma crown and sash at the ShareForCures tent at the San Diego 3-Day.

Jessica A. took a unique approach to volunteering at the Susan G. Komen San Diego 3-Day® — wearing her crown as the reigning United States of America’s Mrs. Oklahoma 2026 to draw attention to breast cancer research.

At the 3-Day in November, Jessica volunteered in the tent dedicated to ShareForCures® — a breast cancer research registry by Susan G. Komen, connecting researchers with information from people who have or had breast cancer to close gaps in breast cancer research data to make new discoveries faster.

Jessica A. at a Susan G. Komen event in San Diego.

“I initially found out about the Komen 3-Day about 10 years ago when we first came to San Diego,” explained Jessica, whose husband serves in the U.S. Marine Corps. “Back then, I volunteered and cheered along the route. It was a fantastic experience, so I wanted to be part of it again when we moved back here last year.”

As part of her role, titleholders must participate in community service during their reign, and she saw the 3-Day as an opportunity to do just that.

“My platform typically centers around all things military — supporting veterans, active-duty service members and their families, and finding ways to better serve them,” Jessica explained. “But breast cancer is something that affect so many women and families, and it felt important to use my voice to support that as well.”

Like many, she has seen the impact of breast cancer firsthand.

“My grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had a mastectomy and reconstruction, and she had a lot of issues with that pre- and post-surgery,” Jessica said. “And my husband’s grandmother had breast cancer I believe three different times.”

In preparation for volunteering at the 3-Day, Jessica took the time to learn about ShareForCures so she could speak confidently and direct potential participants on how to join the registry.

ShareForCures volunteer Jessica A. is also Mrs. Oklahoma 2026. “The crown and sash — it’s a talking point. It gets people to come over and ask, ‘What are you here for?’” Jessica said with a smile. “Whenever I got those questions, I would tell them I was there volunteering for ShareForCures. I am hopeful my volunteer efforts resulted in people signing up for this important program.”

Outside of her volunteer work, Jessica is a research program coordinator supporting the Extremity Trauma and Amputation Center of Excellence for the Department of Defense. She lives in San Diego with her husband and three children.

For more information on joining ShareForCures visit komen.org/shareforcures.

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.

Kristi’s Story: Metastatic Breast Cancer and the 3-Day

Kristi T. at the 2023 Susan G. Komen San Diego 3-Day.

When Kristi T. heard about the Susan G. Komen 3-Day®, she was in treatment for metastatic breast cancer (MBC) and searching for community.

“I thought it would be cool to walk with others who were going through a similar situation as I was, or who had a loved one or friend with a similar diagnosis,” she said.

Diagnosed in 2021 at just 37, Kristi was navigating life as a single mom while undergoing an intense treatment plan that included chemotherapy, monthly injections of pertuzumab and trastuzumab, and targeted therapies for HER2-positive MBC.

Despite everything her body was going through, Kristi was drawn to the idea of the 3-Day and wanted to be surrounded by others who understood the realities of breast cancer.

Stepping Into the 3-Day

Kristi T. was a guest speaker at the 2023 Susan G. Komen San Diego 3-Day.

Kristi signed up as a solo walker for the 2023 San Diego 3-Day and was asked to share her story as a guest speaker. She said she felt support every step of the way. Kristi joined other participants in Central Oregon for training walks and started building connections before the event. Once she got to San Diego, those connections grew even more.

“There were teams that I kind of clung to,” Kristi said. “I started out with some of the women from Central Oregon, but as the weekend unfolded, I met so many other amazing people.”

Initially, the thought of walking 60 miles was intimidating to Kristi, especially while undergoing treatment. She had recently started taking chemotherapy pills that caused pain and sensitivity in her hands and feet.

But her fears eased after she reached out to her 3-Day coach, who explained that sweep vans, pit stops and medical crews would be available throughout the route.

“She told me I didn’t have to walk the full 20 miles a day, and knowing there were options helped calm my nerves a lot,” Kristi said.

Another challenging aspect was the 3-Day fundraising. To help reach her goal, Kristi leaned on creativity. With help from her friends and co-workers, she hosted a Barbie-themed fashion show fundraiser, complete with Barbie and Ken outfits strutting down the runway.

Kristi T. at her Barbie-themed fundraiser for the Susan G. Komen San Diego 3-Day.

“A lot of people donated, and I felt really lucky to have that support,” she said.

When the first day of the event arrived, Kristi was up for the challenge.

On Day 1, adrenaline carried Kristi forward. She said she felt “amped.” By Day 2, exhaustion and foot pain set in, but the 3-Day medical crew stepped in, wrapping her feet and bandaging her toes so she could keep going.

“They did a great job of taking care of me,” she said.

On the final stretch of the 3-Day, another surge of adrenaline kicked in.

“You’re like, ‘Okay, this is the last of it—we’re hitting the finish line,” Kristi said. “I knew my parents were going to be there; my sister and my son were waiting for me, too.”

Crossing the finish line was an emotional moment for her.

“Finishing the 3-Day gave me a new appreciation for my body—I felt more confident again,” she said.

Kristi T. at the 2023 Susan G. Komen San Diego 3-Day finish line.

Looking Ahead with Hope

Today, Kristi’s cancer has remained stable through daily medication and monthly bone infusions. In April 2025, she got married and said she lives each day with gratitude and optimism.

“I’ve accepted that I will have breast cancer for the rest of my life,” she said. “But seeing people with MBC who have been living with it for over 20 years is hopeful and empowering.”

Kristi said she hopes to walk the Boston 3-Day soon with her sister. To read more about Kristi’s story, visit komen.org.

Kristi T. and her family at the 2023 Susan G. Komen San Diego 3-Day.