Cliff’s Crew: 20 Years of Family, Hope and the Quest to End Breast Cancer

Cliff M. and his team, Cliff's Crew, at the San Diego 3-Day.

Cliff M. has been an inspiration to many in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® community, leading his team, Cliff’s Crew, in the journey to end breast cancer. His passion and unwavering dedication to the 3-Day began in 2002, after the heartbreaking loss of his dear friend, Betty Lou, to breast cancer. The following year, while watching a TV commercial about the 3-Day in Santa Barbara, Cliff said to his wife, “I want to do this in memory of Betty Lou.” And so, his journey began—and continues to this day.

A 20-Year Legacy of Hope

This year marks Cliff’s Crew’s 20th anniversary of participating in the 3-Day. Since 2005, the team has raised more than $1 million dollars for breast cancer research and is recognized as a Lifetime Fundraising Commitment Team. Their heartfelt motto: “Our journey will end when a cure is found,” reflects their profound commitment to finding a cure.

Cliff’s Crew has become a symbol of hope, inspiring not just strangers, but family and friends alike. Over the years, Cliff has trained more than 100 women and men for the 3-Day and has walked alongside his wife, his son, Brian, his daughter-in-law, and even his two granddaughters.

His granddaughter, Taylor, now 29, was so deeply moved by the 3-Day community that she decided to pursue a career in medical physics. She specializes in childhood cancer survivorship and treatment-related breast cancer risk at MD Anderson Cancer Center.

“We didn’t realize the 3-Day would make such an impact on Taylor’s life choices, but it did, and we are so proud of her,” Cliff said.

The Strength of Family

Cliff and his beloved wife, Karen.

When you speak to Cliff about his team and his journey, you immediately sense his genuine love, excitement and passion for the Pink Bubble—the unforgettable community surrounding the 3-Day. But Cliff’s story also includes personal hardships too, like many in the 3-Day community.

A few years ago, his beloved wife, Karen, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and Cliff was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Despite these personal trials, Cliff has continued with his family’s quest to end breast cancer.

“We joked about it when she was first diagnosed,” Cliff recalled. “She said to me, ‘Here you are walking for breast cancer since 2002, and you ended up with prostate cancer, and me with pancreatic cancer.’ She fought for a year and a half, then passed away in 2022 with a smile on her face, the same year we would have celebrated our 50th anniversary.”

Before Karen passed away, she had one final wish. “I remember her telling me, ‘Make sure you go down to San Diego,” he said. And two weeks later, he did, continuing the walk she had encouraged him to finish.

Supporting From the Sidelines

At 76, Cliff no longer walks in the 3-Day, but he remains a fixture at the San Diego 3-Day, supporting his team year-round and raising at least the annual minimum of $2,300. Cliff’s Crew is now managed by his son, Brian, and friend, Jana Armendariz.

“I am not as strong as I used to be, but I am still here supporting the team, cheering them on, going to San Diego and raising money not just for a cure for breast cancer, but hopefully for all cancers,” Cliff said.

For Cliff, the 3-Day is not just an event—it’s been a life-changing journey he will always cherish. “When people ask me questions about the 3-Day, I always tell them, ‘Come join me and I promise you it will change your life like it did mine,” Cliff said.

Visit the 3-Day to register and learn more.

From 3-Day Supporter to Breast Cancer Survivor

Nicole S. and her family at the 2024 Susan G. Komen 3-Day in San Diego.

Nicole with her husband and sons at the San Diego 3-Day in 2024.

In 2009, Nicole S. walked in her first Susan G. Komen 3-Day® with her mom and sorority sisters in San Diego, unaware of how deeply breast cancer would one day affect her life. By 2024, she was walking again—this time as a two-year breast cancer survivor.

“Both 3-Day walks were meaningful, but being a survivor this time around made it extra special and emotional,” Nicole said.

In 2022, Nicole was a mom to two little boys and a busy orthodontist when she noticed a change in her left breast around the time she stopped breastfeeding her youngest. Her husband urged her to reach out to her doctor, and things moved fast. After an ultrasound and diagnostic mammogram, Nicole was diagnosed with stage 3, HER2-positive, hormone receptor-negative invasive ductal carcinoma with a subcategory of inflammatory breast cancer.

During one of her chemotherapy sessions, Nicole texted her mom and friend: “When I beat this disease, I want to walk a 3-Day with you guys again.” And they held her to it.

Nicole’s treatment was intense—six rounds of chemotherapy every three weeks, a non-nipple-sparing double mastectomy, axillary lymph node dissection and 33 rounds of radiation therapy. Through it all, she stayed determined.

Nicole and her team, Breasties Against Breast Cancer, in San Diego at the 2024 3-Day.

In November 2024, Nicole completed her second San Diego 3-Day with her mom and seven friends. “My favorite part of the 3-Day was walking alongside the women who prayed and supported me throughout my treatment,” Nicole said. “And the support from the San Diego community is unmatched.”

This year, Nicole said her team, “Breasties Against Breast Cancer,” will return bigger and stronger than ever.

Nicole and her parents at the San Diego 3-Day in 2024.

Visit the 3-Day to register and learn more.

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.

Bank of America Recognizes Rachel Brown’s Outstanding Fundraising Efforts for Susan G. Komen 3-Day®

Rachel Brown receiving her donation from Bank of America for being a top fundraiser of the Susan G. Komen 3-Day.

Rachel receiving her $500 donation from Bank of America.

When Rachel Brown’s mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004, she was immediately inspired after seeing an advertisement for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day ®, a 60-mile walk over the course of three days aimed at raising funds to help end breast cancer forever. Since then, Rachel has remained dedicated to the 3-Day, earning well-deserved recognition as a top fundraiser.

Rachel and her team, the Bouncin’ Buckeyes, have walked in the 3-Day since 2005 in various states. Rachel has completed an impressive 30 walks, often braving challenging conditions, including freezing temperatures and sideways rain in Dallas 2023, and sleeping in tents amid a rainstorm. Despite these obstacles, the team has stayed committed to supporting the 3-Day cause.

“We keep doing this because when we listen to the speakers talk about their breast cancer journeys at the opening and closing ceremonies and the walkers, it makes you realize you are making a difference,” Rachel said. “We always remember why we walk. It’s not easy to do the 3-Day, but we are really driven by wanting to make a difference.”

Rachel Brown and her team, the Bouncin' Buckeyes

Rachel and the Bouncin’ Buckeyes

To date, Rachel and the Bouncin’ Buckeyes have raised over $776,000 for the 3-Day. As an individual participant, Rachel has raised $371,461 since her first walk. Her remarkable efforts were celebrated at the 2024 San Diego 3-Day, where she was honored as the Top Individual Fundraiser at the Bank of America Celebration of Champions, earning $500 from Bank of America to support her 2025 fundraising goal.

Additionally, the Bouncin’ Buckeyes received the Small But Mighty Team Award for raising an incredible $78,500. Bank of America made a $500 donation to Rachel and her two team captains, to support their 3-Day fundraising efforts.

“When I think back to where we started and where we are now, it’s wild to see what we’ve accomplished,” Rachel said. “Receiving the Bank of America donations was awesome and really kicked-off our enthusiasm for the 2025 3-Day.”

Rachel and the Bouncin’ Buckeyes work tirelessly each year to reach their 3-Day goals. The team ranges in age from 23 to 72. Her mother, Carol, is a 20-year survivor who has walked in three 3-Days and been a crew member for 12 years. Her younger sister has also walked and crewed for the event, and her older sister supports the team at the events by making coffee runs, coordinating off-site lunches and making sure the team has everything they need to make it across the 3-Day finish line.

“There’s millions of people that could do this, but there are only thousands that will do it,” Rachel said about the 3-Day. “We are a unique and amazing group of people who do this because we want to help. If it were easy, everyone would do it.”

Rachel along the 3-Day route

Rachel says she is overwhelmingly grateful to the generous supporters who donate to her team year after year and make reaching the 3-Day fundraising goals possible.

Bank of America has been a Susan G. Komen ® partner since 2009, and serves as the National Presenting Sponsor of the Komen 3-Day ®, Race for the Cure ® and MORE THAN PINK Walk® events in the U.S. Bank of America also helps support Komen through its Pink Ribbon Banking Affinity products, which has raised over $14 million to date.

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

To donate to Rachel’s 3-Day fundraiser visit the3day.org/goto/rachelbrown2025.