Congratulations to the 2017 Atlanta 3-Day Local Impact Award Winner

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For the 2017 Susan G. Komen 3-Day® season, we’re honored to be featuring the Local Impact Award. This award is being given to participants who have been instrumental in strengthening the 3-Day® community throughout the year. Local Impact Award honorees have gone above and beyond in their efforts leading training walks, attending 3-Day community events. They have also supported the 3-Day staff year-round at meet-ups and workshops, and in general, been making a difference by building lasting relationships and showing commitment to the 3-Day in all they do.

Char

Please join us in congratulating the 2017 Atlanta 3-Day Local Impact Award Winner, Char Wells.

Her teammate Chris Alexander is so proud of Char, and has experienced her support and 3-Day spirit first hand.

“When I was diagnosed, she and I talked, and her encouragement and advice was so helpful. She is such a special lady and I love her drive. Her determination is contiguous and her smile lights up the group!”

Knowing how much she cares for, and has given to, the whole 3-Day family, we had to hear from Char herself! When we asked her these questions, she didn’t know she would soon be selected as our winner!

What was your inspiration to do your first 3-Day?

I had always done the “Relay for Life” but felt I could do more. Then one day I heard an ad on the radio for the 3-Day and I thought…I can do that! In December 2007 I signed up for the 2008 Walk. I walked/trained every day at lunch, and weekends but not really having a reason that I was doing this. Then in August 2008, it happened – I had breast cancer.

What has brought you back to the 3-Day year after year?

I’m so blessed to be a survivor and the atmosphere of the 3-Day is such a joy, and so heartwarming and emotional. I have said several times “maybe this year or that year will be my last one,” but then there I am walking again! I have walked with a sprained ankle; been pushed in a wheelchair for 60 miles due to a broken foot; I have walked with herniated discs in my back (just prior to surgery). We 3-Day walkers are a special kind of crazy!!

Char Pole Dancing on the 3-Day with Richard

What is the secret to your 3-Day fundraising success?

Ask! Ask everyone you know. Post on Facebook, send emails, send letters, anyway and every way you have a connection to. Getting a no doesn’t hurt, you get a no just move on to the next one.

What is your best advice to anyone walking the 3-Day?

Train and if you can, include hills. More importantly have FUN, enjoy the celebration of everyone around you. There will be tears, but that’s ok – tears become hugs, love and laughter.

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What’s a fun fact about you?

I’m a special kind of crazy!

I’ve never met a stranger and I so enjoy talking to people and getting to know them.

I love spending time with my family and friends.

When I have down time I like to play games, read or quilt.

What are the most important lessons you’ve learned on the 3-Day?

You are NOT ALONE.

Share your love, give hugs!

It’s OK to sweep (take it from someone who walked with herniated discs in her back and

ended up putting her head on a wall, bursting into tears because she was so dang

determine to complete the walk) IT’S OK TO SWEEP.

Congratulations to the 2017 Philadelphia 3-Day Milestone Award Winner

Please join us in congratulating our 2017 Philadelphia Milestone Award Winner; Leedrester Jackson. The Susan G. Komen 3-Day® Milestone Award is given at each event to a walker or crew member who has an outstanding history of participation in the Komen 3-Day. At the Philadelphia 3-Day camp show, we presented Leedrester with this special honor.

This is her 12^th year walking the 3-Day, and she is a 30-year breast cancer survivor, having beaten breast cancer three times. She has also raised nearly $5,500 this year alone!

She is well-known in Philadelphia, and we wanted to hear about the 3-Day and Leedrester’s story in her own words. When we asked these questions, she didn’t know she would soon be selected as our winner!

What was your inspiration to do your first 3-Day?

As a breast cancer survivor, I wanted to be a part of helping people detect cancer early enough to beat it, and finally find a cure. In 2005, The 3-Day came to Philadelphia and the 68 – year old lady “lost her senses” and volunteered to walk 60 miles in three days and if that wasn’t enough, to camp out for two nights.

What has brought you back to the 3-Day year after year?

I walk because… as a three-time breast cancer survivor, I continue to enjoy good health and so I walk for those who can’t.

What is the secret to your 3-Day fundraising success?

I send letters to family, friends and church family (Grace Baptist Church of Germantown – Rev. Dr. James H. Buck, Jr., Pastor) many of whom have been prayerfully and financially supportive of me on my eleven years 3-Day journey. My supporters are committed to helping find a cure for breast cancer. They do the donating and I do the walking.

After the walk, I show them how much I appreciate them by sending thank you letters in which I share the weekend events with pictures.

Leedrester got a standing ovation from her fellow Philly 3-Dayers

What is your best advice to anyone walking the 3-Day?

Practice, practice, practice on the hills because Philly is very hilly and keep your feet lubricated.

What’s a fun fact about you?

2017 Weekend Destination Birthday Celebration celebrated with 74 women. The Lord blessed me to celebrate 80 years young and I am a three-time breast cancer survivor: 30 years, 15 years, and 7 years. This was truly a fun fact weekend.

What are the most important lessons you’ve learned on the 3-Day?

I have learned that you need to stay hydrated, stay alert, keep stretching and take good care of your feet.

On behalf of all of us walking, crewing, and supporting the Susan G. Komen 3-Day, thank you Leedrester.

The Susan G. Komen Philadelphia 3-Day Honors Our Opening Ceremony Speakers

We began our 2017 Susan G. Komen Philadelphia 3-Day with an inspiring Opening Ceremony as the sun started to rise on a beautiful day in the City of Brotherly (and Sisterly!) Love. Our Opening Ceremonies this year are led by participants, with special recognition given to our breast cancer survivors and those living with metastatic breast cancer.

Crew members, walkers, and supporters joined their hearts and hopes in the shared promise of bringing about the end of breast cancer, one footstep and mile at a time. Take some time to get to know our Opening Ceremony speakers.

Becky Harney – My Sister

I walk for the strongest, most courageous person I know – my constant supporter, my big sister, Jenn. I walk because cancer stole her lifetime from her, and robbed the world of a wonderful wife, daughter, sister, mother, friend. I walk to hold on to the hope that together, we can defeat breast cancer. I’m Becky and I am More Than Pink.

Betty Bottmeyer – My Friend

I walk for several people who have gone through breast cancer…my family and friends, near and far. And I walk to remember those who have passed. We carry them in our hearts and they give us strength to go on. I walk because in my lifetime, I want to find a cure for cancer. I’m Betty and I am More Than Pink.

John Slosarik – My Wife

I walk for my wife of 23 years, Sharon, who is the 4th generation of women in her family to have battled breast cancer. Sharon is now living with metastatic breast cancer as well as the knowledge that our 19-year old daughter is BRCA positive. With each step, I celebrate generations of strong women in our family and in yours, who believe in the power of love and a world without breast cancer. I’m John and I am More Than Pink.

Jennifer Slosarik – Myself
When I was four years old, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. When I was 18, I was diagnosed with the BRCA-1 gene mutation, which means I have over a 90% chance of developing breast cancer before I am 50 years old. I began this walk to support my mother who continues to live with stage 4 breast cancer. And today, I also walk for myself. I’m Jennifer and I am More Than Pink.

Emily Robbins – My Grandmother

I walk for my grandmother, who is a breast cancer survivor. I also walk because someone I’ve known my whole life lost their second battle with breast cancer in February, and because my mother has had multiple lumpectomies over the past 13 years. I am an advocate for finding a cure for breast cancer, so that one day, men and women around the world do not have to worry about it. I’m Emily and I am More Than Pink.

Jesse Kornblum – My Mom

As I stand here about to embark on my first 3-Day without my mom, I’m feeling many different emotions. I remember my mom’s strength, her greatness, energy, passion, love, friendship and her unforgettable smile. But I’m also grateful because I am able to join together with all of you this weekend to fight breast cancer! I’m Jesse and I am More Than Pink.

Royce Epstein

Three years ago, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. But today I stand before you, in remission – a Mohawk employee, a Komen advocate, and a survivor. I am grateful for the support of my company, and I am humbled to be here with all of you today. There is one word I want you think about as you embark on this 3-Day Walk: it’s AVANTI, which means “Forward” in Italian. I have it tattooed on my leg as a reminder to Keep Moving Forward, this weekend and forever, wherever your journey takes you. I’m Royce, and I am More Than Pink.

Kathy DiRusso – Ceremony Host

My 3-Day journey started in 2002 in Boston, where I walked in memory of my Aunt Carol, who we lost to breast cancer in 1991. The following year, we lost my cousin Tricia at the young age of 41. Both women were taken too soon from this earth – both left behind two amazing sons who have made their mark on this planet in a way both mothers would be quite proud. Today, I begin my 25^th 3-Day in their memory. I’m Kathy, I am More Than Pink… and I’m honored to welcome you to the 2017 Philadelphia 3-Day!