A First-Timer’s Journey with the Komen 3-Day

Every year, new participants join the Susan G. Komen 3-Day®, and for many, it becomes more than just a breast cancer walk – it’s an unforgettable experience. Some spend months fundraising and training, while others join at the 11th hour. Regardless of when they begin, each participant quickly realizes the 3-Day is about much more than walking, it’s about being a part of a community dedicated to ending breast cancer.

Kimian Benitez is one of those new participants. She took part in her first 3-Day last fall in San Diego and walked the event solo.

“I was the team captain of myself,” she joked. “I always wanted to do it and I am so glad I did.”

The night before the event, Kimian and her husband drove to San Diego, and the next morning she began her 3-Day journey. After six miles, Kimian, who was recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, found herself needing to take a break.

Kimian Benitez at the 2024 San Diego 3-Day

“I was disappointed when I got on the sweep van that took me back to the hotel, but everyone made me feel like I did great,” she recalled. “The Pink Bubble they talk about is such a positive and embracing atmosphere.”

The 3-Day’s unique and supportive environment is what keeps people like Kimian coming back. She already has plans on walking in this year’s San Diego 3-Day and is determined to walk farther than she did the first time.

“I don’t know anyone or have anyone close to me who has gone through breast cancer, but how I think about it is the money I raised and the effort I put in could go toward finding the cure, whether for me, tomorrow, or for someone I know and love,” Kimian said.

To learn more about the 3-Day or to register for an event, visit the3day.org.

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.

A Lifelong Vigilance: 3-Day Walker Shares Her Breast Cancer Journey

Julie Staggs has always approached her health with vigilance, knowing that routine mammograms were not just a precaution, but a necessity because of her family’s history with breast cancer. Along with her mother, Julie’s grandmother and aunts have all had the disease. “For me it wasn’t a matter of if, but when,” she said.

Julie’s breast cancer diagnosis came in July 2023 after a routine mammogram. She was told she had stage 1 invasive ductal carcinoma. However, a second diagnosis was coming. One tumor was found on the mammogram, while a second tumor was discovered when Julie was in surgery.

“It was shocking when they found it,” Julie said referring to the additional tumor. “It was invasive lobular cancer which is known for not showing up on mammograms.”

Julie received more unusual news when she did genetic testing and learned she was negative for BRCA inherited gene mutations.

“My oncologist was blown away by my genetic testing results. She ordered a comprehensive genetic panel to pinpoint the genetic marker that could indicate the cancer, but there was nothing found,” Julie recalled. “So, it’s not that it’s not a genetic factor, it could be that researchers haven’t found it yet.”

When Julie, a 55-year-old registered nurse, received her breast cancer diagnoses she didn’t panic. Instead, she switched on her nurse brain. “I thought to myself, ‘Okay, let’s do this and I started going through and sorting out all the things I had to do.’”

Julie decided to have a double mastectomy in September 2023 and later had additional surgeries for breast reconstruction. In December 2023 she had a hysterectomy and oophorectomy because her breast cancer was estrogen and progesterone receptor-positive, HER2-negative. “My interest was in removing any kind of estrogen that the cancer could feed off,” Julie said. She is also taking tamoxifen for the next five years to help reduce her chances of a cancer recurrence and deals with the side effects of the medication which include joint and bone pain.

Even as Julie was navigating her treatment plan, she knew she had to take action. So, she signed up and started training for her second time walking 60 miles in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® in San Diego. She participated for the first time in 2007 in support of her mother who was diagnosed with breast cancer in her 30s, and in November 2024, she walked for herself and other loved ones.

Julie said despite what her body was going through, she still needed to walk in the 3-Day to lend her support to others.

“My mother is now 84 and is a breast cancer survivor. But recently a few of my sorority sisters found out they had breast cancer,” Julie said, fighting back tears. “And so really it’s the realization that this is very close to home, and I just need to do something.”

Julie’s 3-Day team, “The Rack Pack,” consisted of six teammates made up of her lifelong friends and sorority sisters some from San Diego, and others who traveled to the event from Alaska and New Mexico. They raised more than $9,000.

Julie credits a good recovery plan from her surgeries for being able to prepare for the 60-mile walk. She urged others to take part in a 3-Day event and said while it may seem daunting, it goes by pretty fast.

“You just take one mile at a time and you’re talking and chatting and looking at the great scenery and before you know it, you’re at mile 20,” she said.

The Komen 3-Day is an annual three-day up to 60-mile fundraising walk to end breast cancer held in Boston, Denver, Dallas and San Diego. Since 2003, participants have raised more than $915 million to support Komen’s work to end breast cancer. Visit www.the3day.org to register or make a donation.

Choosing Your Path: How You’ll Participate in the Komen 3-Day

The Susan G. Komen 3-Day® is a dedicated community of fundraisers and advocates who take on the challenge of a 60-mile, three-day journey to end breast cancer. Designed for those committed to Komen’s vision of a world without breast cancer, the 3-Day is a tough yet deeply moving and rewarding experience.

The 2025 3-Day series includes events in Denver (Aug. 1-3), New England (Aug. 15-17), Dallas/Fort Worth (Oct.24-26) and San Diego (Nov. 14-16). The 3-Day is more inclusive than ever, offering three different distance options. While many participants take on the full 60 miles, others opt for one- or two-day alternatives.

Whether you are a 3-Day veteran with multiple events under your belt or a first-time walker like Kimian Benitez, who participated in the San Diego 3-Day solo last fall, there’s a good chance that after walking once, you’ll want to return.

No matter how far you walk – 20, 40 or all 60 miles – every step and each dollar raised matters. We invite you to join us at the 3-Day. Bring your family, friends and co-workers and walk with us to save lives and end breast cancer.

The Komen 3-Day series has welcomed more than 500,000 participants since it began in 2003 and raised more than $915 million. Visit the 3-Day to learn more.