Sculpting Strength: A Teen’s Tribute to Breast Cancer and the 3-Day

Sidh J. is a member of the Susan G. Komen 3-Day Youth Corps.

At just 17, Sidh J. found a unique way to honor the breast cancer community that has been a meaningful part of his life through his experience growing up around the Susan G. Komen 3-Day®: a ceramic sculpture that features a woman’s body, a heart, flowers and a pink ribbon.

“The flowers represent a sort of regrowth and renewal that survivors may feel after everything they have been through,” Sidh explained. “And the ribbon represents the fight people have had against breast cancer. The arms holding the heart is to show that love continues even when someone is no longer here.”

Family Ties to Breast Cancer

The inspiration behind Sidh’s artwork is deeply personal.

From a young age, breast cancer was something he knew about. His grandmother was diagnosed at 39 and died from the disease before Sidh was born. She was just 42.

“My family has always talked about my grandmother,” Sidh said. “She was really strong while she was facing breast cancer, so I knew a lot about it.”

In 2012, Sidh’s mom began participating in the 3-Day, walking 60 miles in memory of her mother. Since then, the 3-Day has played an important role in Sidh’s life. He attended 3-Day events in Philadelphia and New England when his mom walked, and his older sister participated in the Youth Corps. Inspired by those experiences, Sidh joined the 2023 New England 3-Day Youth Corps and continued volunteering in 2024. The Youth Corps is a special group of young volunteers, ages 10 to 16, who support walkers during the 3-Day by offering a helping hand, cheering them on and lifting their spirits every step of the way.

Sidh J. speaking about his family ties to breast cancer at the Susan G. Komen New England 3-Day.

“It felt great to finally be able to make my contribution to the fight against breast cancer,” Sidh said. “I have really appreciated meeting so many people and hearing their stories over the last two years on the Youth Corps.”

Art Inspired by Breast Cancer

Sidh, who is interested in engineering and material science, took his first pottery class in sixth grade. Over time, it became his creative outlet.

“Fundamentally, pottery is kind of material science. The clay that I use, the paints I use to cover it—they all change and determine the final form of the piece,” Sidh explained. “It has been a great way for me to express my feelings.”

Last October during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Sidh decided to combine two important parts of his life: his passion for pottery and his connection to the 3-Day. The result was his sculpture titled “In Memory Of …” inspired by his grandmother and the many stories of strength he has encountered through the 3-Day.

Sidh J.'s sculpture designed for breast cancer awareness.

“When I was making this piece, I was constantly thinking about the Remembrance Tent and the people who had breast cancer and are no longer with us,” Sidh said. “My piece is to show they are always in our hearts and also to honor those who survived and continue to inspire others.”

Sidh’s sculpture was selected to be exhibited later this month at the 2026 National K-12 Juried Ceramic Exhibition in Michigan, where it will be entered into competition and eligible for awards and scholarships.

Sidh is currently a high school junior in Northern Virginia. He hopes to stay connected to the 3-Day and plans to return in the future as a walker.

How a 3-Day Training Walk Saved Burt’s Life

Burt L. and his 3-Day training walk group in New York,

At 81, Burt L. has walked the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® 35 times. A longtime training walk leader from New York, he’s spent years helping others prepare for their 60-mile journey. But a few years ago, Burt’s training group found themselves looking out for him.

“The last couple of years, I’d get an uncomfortable feeling in my chest when we started to walk,” Burt explained. “It would go away, and I felt fine.”

As the training walks continued around New York, the chest pains kept coming.

“At that point they told me they would not walk with me again unless I go see a doctor,” he said. “And by God, I needed it. They were right. They saved my life.”

Burt soon learned he needed a heart valve replacement and later, a pacemaker. These two procedures have allowed him to continue doing what he loves—walking in support of the 3-Day.

Burt L., a longtime walker of the Susan G, Komen 3-Day, during a heart procedure.

“If it hadn’t been for them yelling at me to go see a doctor, who knows where I would be today,” Burt said.

Today Burt is feeling good and plans to keep walking the 3-Day for as long as he can. He began walking 22 years ago in honor of his cousin, Judy, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1999. When her cancer metastasized (spread), she faced it with courage until her death in 2004.

“I need to do all I can to make sure Judy did not die in vain,” Burt said. “I need to do all I can to help bring about the day when no other man or woman, no other family, loses a person they love to breast cancer.”

In the early years, he walked with Judy’s daughters. And this year, in what he calls “a delicious demonstration of the circle of life,” Burt will walk his 36th 3-Day alongside Judy’s grandson.

“We are JuJu’s Boys,” he said. “On his first 3-Day and my 36th, we will continue the fight against breast cancer together.”

Over the last two decades in the Pink Bubble, Burt has raised more than $300,000 for the 3-Day. Each month, Burt and his training groups strive to meet and walk 10 to 20 miles in preparation for the 3-Day. While many of them participate in different 3-Day cities, they take care and motivate each other through every step of training.

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

Join the 3-Day and Help Us End Breast Cancer

Survivor procession at the 2025 San Diego 3-Day.

Each year, the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® brings together thousands of dedicated people nationwide who are united by one shared goal: help end breast cancer.

In the months of fundraising leading up the 3-Day, participants help raise critical funds. Since 2003, over 500,000 participants have raised more than $927 million to save lives, expand community programs, improve access to patient care and fuel groundbreaking research, therapies and treatment.

The impact created by the 3-Day community over the years has been extraordinary, and this year we’re focused on pushing that progress even further.

Why the 3-Day

The 3-Day is a powerful journey that spans three unforgettable days where participants walk up to 60 miles. It’s a challenge that reflects personal commitment and collective impact, and it’s unforgettable. Along the 3-Day route, participants receive community support from residents and businesses who line the streets in appreciation. And through each step, participants share stories of survivorship, remembrance and hope for a world without breast cancer.

Along the route of the 2025 Susan G. Komen San Diego 3-Day.

For Monica G., a newer participant of the San Diego 3-Day, walking was a way to honor the family members and friends in her life who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. She walked on her own, motivated by her desire to take action in a space that leaves many feeling helpless.

“I can only imagine what treatment must have been like for them,” Monica shared. “I felt that the least I could do was help raise money to support the breast cancer community and challenge myself to do something meaningful.

Ways to Participate

In the upcoming season, Komen 3-Day events will take place in Boston (Aug. 21-23), Dallas/Fort Worth (Oct. 23-25), San Diego (Nov. 13-15) and Tampa Bay (Feb. 19-21, 2027).

The 3-Day is flexible and inclusive of all fitness levels, with multiple distance options. While many choose the full three days and 60 miles, others choose the 1-Day (20 miles) or 2-Day (40 miles) options.

The 2025 Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day walkers.

From the day you register, participants are supported by a dedicated coach who provides fundraising resources, training guidance and encouragement every step of the way.

The 3-Day is more than just a series of endurance walks. It’s an experience known to change lives and keep participants coming back year after year.

The Pink Bubble

At the heart of the 3-Day is the “Pink Bubble”— the energetic, creative and welcoming community of walkers, crew members and volunteers, who strive to end breast cancer with every step they take. The Pink Bubble is known for its touching pink-clad tributes honoring survivors and loved ones throughout the 3-Day weekends, and for its unwavering support, deep connection and compassion. It’ something you must experience to truly appreciate.

The Pink Bubble is a place where strangers become teammates, and by the time you reach the Finish Line, you’ll be moved to do it all over again.

The 2025 Susan G. Komen Denver 3-Day.