Tag Archives: Susan G. Komen 3-Day® Series

Tampa Bay 3-Day: “Piece of the Miracle”

After less than 24 hours after the Susan G. Komen Tampa Bay 3-Day wrapped up for 2013, I heard from a participant who described her experience as a “piece of the miracle” of the Komen 3-Day. That seems to have summed up so many personal stories that combined to make the experience of the Tampa Bay 3-Day this year. From the glorious sunrise at Opening Ceremony on Friday morning to the seaside Spa Park Closing Ceremony, I witnessed one team after another and one walker after another accomplish more than they ever thought possible. A wheelchair was pushed for 60 miles. Many conquered the challenge for the first time ever, to their own amazement. So many reaffirmed their strength over past and present breast cancer.

With blue skies and a light breeze, the participants were eager to carry the banners over the bridges that dotted the course of three days. “Hope.” “My Sister.” “Optimism.” The firefighters, police, and ambulance services of Clearwater, Seminole, and Pinellas County were only a few who showed their strong support for the 3-Day®, lifting walkers into the air for photos, passing out pink Italian ice, and donning pink uniforms. So many showed their support on the final stretches of Day 1 and the cheering stations of Day 2 and Day 3.

The Camp Shows were a time to rest, to be entertained, and to be inspired. Kimberly Crist was recognized for her seven years of participation and over $69,640 raised to date for the fight against breast cancer. The crowd came to its feet with her acceptance of the Milestone Award on Friday night. Touching speeches by Elise M, Sonja A, and Charlie M, gave the Tampa Bay walkers time to reflect and be inspired by these wonderful people. Camp Show is never complete without the Youth Corps, both for their words and their dance skills. (And thank you to the brave souls who rocked the house during karaoke. You know who you are!)

After a shorter 15.3-mile third day, and after a beautiful stretch of bayside walking, an emotional Closing Ceremony at Spa Park kicked off. The faces of hundreds of dedicated walkers and crew members beamed in the afternoon sunshine surrounded by the beautiful bay. The individual stories looking back at the stage represented so many personal histories of triumph, ‘pieces’ making up the miracle of the Tampa Bay 3-Day.

Thank you Florida walkers!

ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHS

Tampa Day 1 Tampa Day 1 Tampa Day 1 Tampa Day 1 Tampa Day 1 Tampa Day 1 Tampa Bay Day 2 Tampa Bay Day 3 Tampa Bay Day 3 Tampa Bay Day 3 Tampa Bay Day 3 Tampa Bay Day 3 Tampa Bay Day 3 Tampa Bay Day 3 Tampa Bay Day 3 Tampa Bay Day 3

Tampa Bay Day 3 Tampa Bay Day 3 Tampa Bay Day 3 Tampa Bay Day 3 Tampa Bay Day 3

Top Fundraisers for Tampa Bay 3-Day

The Susan G. Komen 3-Day® opened up in great weather this morning at Sand Key Park where walkers were treated to beautiful views of Clearwater, Largo and Indian Shores. After 19.5 miles, everyone was ready for a break, and dinner and a camp show seemed to be just the thing. The top fundraisers for the Tampa Bay 3-Day were announced this evening, and some congratulations are in order for their hard work.

Top Crew Fundraiser: Sandra Alekson, $4,600; Lunch Crew

Sandra Akeson receives the award for Top Crew Fundraiser

Sandra Alekson receives the award for Top Crew Fundraiser

Top Fundraising Team: Team ‘Thanks for the Mammories,’ $103,949; Sheila Porter (Captain)

Carol Lynch accepts the award for her team as Sheila Porter was not present

Top Individual Fundraiser: Rob Imparato, $10,750; (from Team ‘HOORAY BOOBS!’)

Rob Imparato accepts the award for Top Individual Fundraiser at the 2013 Tampa Bay 3-Day

Everyone should be proud of their tremendous efforts in fundraising. Good luck out there on Day 2 in Tampa Bay!

From Pain to Gain – and $1.4 Million

When Tina McDonough was asked to walk in the 2007 Seattle 3-Day with three friends in honor of her friend Michelle, who was living with breast cancer,  she couldn’t refuse. She remembers vividly how she felt physically while walking those 60 miles. “I had not trained enough, and was hurting – bad!” Tina confessed. That, she thought, would be her first – and last – 3-Day walk.

When Michelle lost her fight against cancer just two months later, Tina  was no longer deterred by her memories of the physical discomfort of her first walk. “I watched Michelle’s 12-year-old daughter and her husband fall apart,” said Tina. “Attending her funeral was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I knew I had to do something, so I started a team to walk in her memory. I figured training and fundraising as a group would make it easier.” So her team, Valley Girls and Guys, was born.

VGG 1

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