Tag Archives: San Diego

Veteran-Approved Camping Tips for the San Diego 3-Day

Pink tints near the bay at the San Diego 3-Day.

Camping along Crown Point Shores at the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® is part of the Pink Bubble magic. It’s where stories are shared, friendships are forged and your incredible body finally gets a well-deserved break. The pink tents lining the shore are quite the sight, and after walking up to 20 miles each day, being well prepared can make all the difference. 

To help make camp life a little more comfortable, we gathered advice from some 3-Day veterans who’ve camped here before. Here’s what they recommend: 

  1. Headlamp: Flashlights are helpful, but when you’re navigating your way to the restroom in the middle of the night, juggling a flashlight and toilet paper is no fun. Bring a headlamp to keep your hands free! 
  2. Yoga mat or air mattress: While some veterans prefer a yoga mat to sleep on because it’s simple, lightweight and easy to roll up, others prefer a thin air mattress for a bit more cushion after a long day on your feet. Blanche H. says, “If you bring a battery-operated pump, travel with the batteries separately. They wear out before you use them. I learned the hard way.”? 
  3. Tarps: San Diego nights along the bay can bring damp grass and chilly air. Place a tarp or plastic drop cloth under your tent to keep your gear dry. Shannon S. says, “I usually get a plastic drop cloth at the dollar store or Walmart.” Some walkers even bring a second tarp to cover the tent and prevent condensation from dripping inside.  
  4. Sweatpants with elastic cuffs: After a long day of walking, you want to be warm and comfortable. There’s one small detail veteran walkers know that works well.: Suzie R. says, “Sweatpants with elastic cuffs are great post-walk because they keep them off the porta-potty floor.” 
  5. Ziploc bags: Put each outfit in a gallon-sized Ziploc bag. This will keep you organized and your garments dry. Jacquelyne G. also recommends putting your shoes inside your tent at night, so they don’t get damp. Speaking of shoes, veterans also suggest bringing shower shoes. 
  6. Yes, there are showers! The showers are housed in converted semi-trucks, equipped with private shower rooms that include a bench and hooks for your belongings. There are also large sinks, tables with mirrors and clean towels provided daily. 
  7. All the warm things: Toss a couple of hand warmers into your sleeping bag before bed to help stay cozy and to warm up your hands in the mornings. Veterans also recommend packing layers, fuzzy socks and mylar blankets. “I glamped in SD 2024 and felt so bad for campers because it was so cold in the morning,” Sue S. said.  
  8. Glow sticks or battery-operated lights: When the sun sets, camp gets dark. And with rows of identical pink tents, finding yours could be tricky. Veteran walker Walter H. recommends bringing glow sticks or battery-powered string lights to clip onto your tent. “Clipping glow sticks over the tent helps find yours when it’s dark,” he said. They’re also helpful to add some light inside your tent when you’re getting ready for bed or digging through your gear.”
  9. 1-inch binder clips: Seasoned 3-Day walkers swear by these! They’re perfect to clip around the cross-poles of your tent, and you can use them to secure the rain flaps open or fasten a tarp or plastic sheeting over the tent.  

We hope these tips from our long-time walkers help make camping fun and as enjoyable as possible. Don’t forget there’s also a tent decorating contest, so bring your lights, signs and decorations that showcase your story and help build the amazing 3-Day community spirit.  

We can’t wait to see you at camp in San Diego! 

Friendship, Survivorship and the 3-Day

Lesleigh & Jamie at the San Diego 3-Day camping in their pink tent.

When Lesleigh H. signed up for the Susan G. Komen San Diego 3-Day® in 2009, she never expected it would lead to a lasting friendship. Looking for training partners, she reached out to fellow walkers in her area and that’s when she met Jamie R. 

“Jamie showed up. Some other people showed up, too,” Lesleigh recalled. “But Jamie and I walked the same pace, we both have long legs, we lived in the same neighborhood. We just hit it off.” 

That first training walk sparked more than just preparation for the 60-mile 3-Day. It marked the beginning of a friendship that would help carry them through some of the hardest moments of their lives. 

Lesleigh and Jamie met at a training walk in 2009 for the Susan G. Komen San Deiego 3-Day.

Lesleigh and Jamie walked together in the 2009 and 2011 San Diego 3-Days, bonding over shared stories, laughter and a mutual drive to support breast cancer awareness and research. But as life got busy, they took a break from the 3-Day, never imagining that one day they’d return, not just as walkers but as having experienced breast cancer up close and personal. 

A Shocking Diagnosis 

In 2017, Lesleigh was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer after discovering a painful lump in her breast. 

“It’s like the ground disappears from underneath you. It’s shocking,” Lesleigh said. “When the doctor told me it was just going to be a bump in the road and I wasn’t going to die, I cried because I was so thankful.”  

Lesleigh underwent a lumpectomy, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. In 2019, she returned to the 3-Day, this time walking with Jamie by her side, in her honor.  

Lesleigh and Jamie at the halfway point of the Susan G. Komen San Diego 3-Day.

But then, in 2022, Jamie received her own diagnosis. 

“Because of COVID, I put off my mammogram for a year,” Jamie explained. “They found a lump that was the size of a Tic Tac, so it was very small. I was very fortunate.” 

Jamie’s treatment included a lumpectomy, radiation therapy and ongoing estrogen blockers to treat her hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative invasive ductal carcinoma.

Return to the 3-Day 

This November, Lesleigh and Jamie are returning to the San Diego 3-Day once again. This time, with even deeper meaning. 

“Lesleigh is turning 60, it’s my third year of survivorship,” Jamie said. “So, we’re walking 60 miles for her 60 years and three days for my three years.” 

Their bond has only grown stronger over time, not just through their breast cancer journeys, but through the unwavering support they’ve given each other.  

“She lifts me up. She challenges me and she shows me the way, not just the fight for cancer but for other things, too,” Lesleigh said, fighting back tears. “She’s just the best person ever.” 

More Than a Walk 

Lesleigh and Jamie walking near the beach at the Susan G. Komen San Diego 3-Day.

For both Lesleigh and Jamie, the 3-Day is about so much more than walking. 

“It’s challenging, but also so energetic and special,” Lesleigh said. “The Pink Bubble is like a bubble of joy, beauty and camaraderie. It just energizes you. The walking is hard, but the love and support around you keep you going.” 

Outside of training or walking in the 3-Day, Jamie and Lesleigh have shared other special memories together including Bunco nights, voter outreach events and birthday parties. 

“When Lesleigh and I were diagnosed, I was upset,” Jamie admitted. “But I realized this is why we’ve been doing the 3-Day all along. This is what we’ve been training for. I firmly believe that what we’ve helped raise over the years has helped us become survivors.” 

Lesleigh and Jamie crossing the finish line at the Susan G. Komen San Diego 3-Day.

To learn more about the San Diego 3-Day, visit the3day.org. 

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!