Cynthia S. Recounts her Battle with Breast Cancer and First Time at the Susan G. Komen 3-Day®

By Cynthia S., 3-Day Walker

I had always taken my breast health seriously. On my father’s side of the family my great grandmother, grandmother and great aunt were all diagnosed with breast cancer in their fifties. Mammograms started yearly at age forty for me. I realized the importance of these screenings as I was called back at different times for more images to be taken to ensure all was clear. This was comforting to me as I knew mammograms worked and I was being checked over carefully for anything that could look suspicious.

One year after the extra images were taken it came to be known that I had atypical cells that needed to be removed through surgery as they could potentially turn into cancer cells. I continued to follow through diligently every year with my mammogram hopeful that I would continue to get that letter in the mail that everything looks good and no abnormalities.

In July of 2011, I received a call that I needed to go in for a biopsy. Then after a few days of anxious waiting I was told that I had breast cancer. I still remember the words ringing in my ears as I was listening to my trusted gynecologist on the other end of the line. Soon after that day we were on our family vacation at the lake with our three young daughters and both sets of our parents. My husband and I would go into town each day because of the limited cell service and make several phone calls to make sure I had all the necessary appointments in line for when we returned home. It was not until after we knew exactly what the prognosis was that we explained what was going on to our children.

I was diagnosed with invasive ducal carcinoma of the left breast. My oncologist recommended I get the BRCA gene test urgently because of my family history and having three daughters. He also recommended a new cutting-edge test at that time called Oncotype DX to determine my treatment plan after surgery. In the end those tests suggested the most effective path for my treatment, two surgeries, and a lumpectomy. My treatment plan included six weeks of radiation, oral medication for five years, and six infusion treatments of Zometa for the strengthening of my bones.

During this challenging time, I felt so much support and love from my family, friends, and community. I had a friend tell me, “The good thing that will come out of this difficult experience is the outpouring of those who want to help and be there for you in any way they can.” She continued with, “There will be people you may not even know, but they will come, and your life will be different because of their kindness and encouraging words.”

This past September, I participated in the Susan G. Komen Chicago 3-Day with two of my three daughters, Lauren and Bella. My youngest, Sophia, is still in college and cheered us on as we trained and prepared for the special weekend. I had been wanting to participate in the Komen 3-Day and this seemed to be the perfect opportunity as the stars aligned to join the Pink Bubble for the weekend to raise money, share experiences, and meet new friends and support each other. My middle daughter, Bella, spoke at the event as a co-survivor, which brought tears to my heart. Looking back, you are very scared as an adult, but in a child’s eyes nothing is scarier than the unknown and having a mom with cancer. She and her sister connected with the other co-survivors that weekend which was comforting in so many ways for them.

It’s hard to describe the special weekend in the Pink Bubble as you have so many emotions. You laugh, cry, give hugs and smiles, you learn of other people’s stories and the importance of this community of people coming together for a special cause. My girls and I were honored to be there amongst such strong warriors. As you walk the route you are taken by the hand the hand the whole way by either a car driving by honking [and cheering] “Let’s go!” or several of the volunteers meeting you at each stop dressed in fun pink attire. At times we were even greeted by complete strangers that want to encourage you and give you candy or fun tattoos! We really enjoyed the photo opportunities along the way! Super fun and such a great memory! This is an experience like no other and we are all doing it together for the fight to end breast cancer!

Fundraising Tips Straight from the Top

Fundraising is a vital part of the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® that sometimes involves a whirlwind of emotions. It can be daunting to set goals, determine how to start, what methods to use, or even who to ask. To help you out, we’ve teamed up with some of our Top Fundraisers from 2023 to share all the wisdom that’s boosted them straight to the top of the leaderboards. From simple emails to elaborate golf outings, these trailblazers share the methods that have propelled them to the summit of fundraising excellence. They’ll spill the beans on what works best for them and reveal their tips and tricks to help you achieve your fundraising goals this year.

Laura P.: Top Fundraiser ? New England: $50,000+

For the past three years, Laura has been walking the Komen 3-Day in honor of her mom and best friend who have both battled breast cancer. Determined to prevent herself and her nieces from having to combat this tremendous disease, she takes fundraising very seriously. She raises most of her money through word of mouth, Facebook, and email, including updating the signature on her work email to include the link to her fundraising page. Laura acknowledges that fundraising can seem formidable, but notes that, from her experience, many people want to donate, especially when someone they know is doing something big like the 3-Day®.

“Tell everyone what you are doing, don’t be shy. When I send out the email, I include all the people who previously donated, all my friends, some co-workers, and I have included my parents’ friends too. I have been amazed at how many people have been touched by breast cancer or support me due to my mother.” Laura also emphasizes the value of reminder emails and asking people about their company’s matching gift policy. Her brother’s company does a double match one day a year, so he always donates on that day, and a friend of hers works at a company that always does a double match. “It is amazing when you can turn a $50 donation into $150 or $100 into $300.”

She also emphasizes the importance of sending out thank you notes to everyone who donated. After the walk, she sends a card with pictures from the walk as a wonderful way of including her donors in the Pink Bubble. Laura looks forward to walking again in the 2024 Denver 3-Day as a 1-Day walker. “Breast cancer has had such a negative impact on my life, but Susan G. Komen® has had such a positive impact. I feel as if I can make a difference, because of Komen.”

Cynthia S.: Top Fundraiser – Chicago: $36,000+

As a breast cancer survivor and first-time walker, Cynthia kicked off her 3-Day journey with a goal of raising $10,000 to help find the cures for breast cancer. However, her fundraising efforts took her to unexpected levels as she and her two daughters collectively raised $43,000. Her approach included sending letters, emails and text messages to friends, family, and business acquaintances. She happily shared her story and explained the 3-Day to anyone who asked for more information on the cause. Upon receiving donations, Cynthia sent out a handwritten thank you letter to each donor to let them know how much she appreciated their support in continuing the fight to end breast cancer. Whenever she hit a milestone or was close to achieving a goal, Cynthia’s husband encouraged her to push further and reach out to more acquaintances who she had not initially contacted. In fact, Cynthia and her husband increased her goal 4 or 5 times before settling at $36,000.

Prior to this effort, Cynthia had never fundraised for any organization. In fact, at the start she was shy about asking friends and family for donations. “I found that sending emails and text messages after I verbally let people know I was walking 60 miles over three days to raise money for [the cures] kind of opened the door for them to give. It was an amazing and uplifting experience to receive daily notifications from the 3-Day that a donation had been made and that alone made me want to reach out to even more potential donors! The realization that people were so happy to help made me even more excited about reaching my goals and beyond. Trust me, if I can do this anyone can! Taking the first step to commit is all it takes. From there the adrenaline will propel you to your fundraising goals, as well as to the finish line!”

Stephanie C.: Top Fundraiser San Diego – $64,000+

Stephanie first participated in the 3-Day in 2006 in Philadelphia with the attitude “Try something once. If you don’t like it, you never have to do it again.” Fifteen events later, she continues to show up to the 3-Day and raise funds as people she is close to continue to go through cancer treatment. “This disease touches so many people and many are silent about it. Being open about raising money for the cause and committing to the walk are ways you can help others talk about and participate in helping others in the journey to recovery,” she shared.

Year after year, Stephanie puts on a golf outing to raise money for the 3-Day, and each year it grows. She has many repeat supporters whom she sets out to make feel important before, during and after the event. She describes her donors as the backbone of the 3-Day, the true heroes who make it all possible. Her advice to first-time walkers is to start fundraising as soon as possible. Don’t be afraid to ask for donations. “It’s not about the big donations,” she shared, “it is about all the small ones. Use your networks ? tap into your friends to tap into their friends.” She also recommends creating a revenue stream that gives something back to the donor, like her annual golf outing.

She looks forward to walking again in the 2024 Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day with her friends, including a survivor she met in 2021, and her sister who has joined her in walking the past few years. She sets out to match or exceed the amount she raised in 2023. In closing, she advises “It takes a village! Whether you are a top fundraiser or working hard to hit your minimum requirement ? it takes all of us to provide Komen the opportunity to put our money to good work.”

Cookie Lady: Baking Her Way Through Cancer

If you’ve walked the Susan G. Komen San Diego 3-Day, you are probably familiar with the beloved Marla R., otherwise known as “Cookie Lady”. Since 2011, she has shown up to pit stop 4 on Day 2 of the Komen San Diego 3-Day with thousands of cookies as a pick-me-up for all the courageous walkers. A former walker and breast cancer survivor herself, Marla understands first-hand how important it is to have support along the way. After three years of missing the event due to COVID-19 and personal health concerns, the “Cookie Lady” made her triumphant return to the 3-Day® amid her own cancer treatment in 2023.

In early 2003, Marla started seeing commercials for the 3-Day and set out to walk in honor of her mom, a breast cancer survivor. While training and fundraising, Marla went for her first mammogram and was ultimately diagnosed with breast cancer. “My world turned upside down as I navigated the world of cancer and was still trying to get ready for the [3-Day]. I had a lumpectomy just three weeks before the walk, wrecking the end of my training schedule,” she shared. Despite the challenges she was facing, Marla completed 49 of the 60 miles at the 2003 3-Day, a grueling experience which she thought she would never partake in again.

However, after two months of breast cancer treatment and enduring recovery, she realized that as difficult as the 3-Day was, cancer treatment was far more difficult, so walking was the least she could do. From then on, Marla walked in the 3-Day annually, building a team along the way. Together, they walked in both San Diego and San Francisco before embarking on their final 60 miles in 2010. However, her team, including Dany G. and Karen C., decided that they still needed to be a part of the 3-Day, and what better way than taking on the role of Cookie Ladies. “That’s exactly what we’ve done. We have built up the Cookie Lady role to what it is now. We bring thousands of homemade cookies of all types, including gluten-free and vegan, along with several types of ice-cold milk.”

Due to COVID-19, Marla and her team took 2020 and 2021 off, with their eyes set on returning the following year in 2022. Unfortunately, in May of 2022 Marla was once again diagnosed with cancer, this time stage 4 colorectal cancer. Her treatment began in July and as the weeks passed, she realized that the chemotherapy was far too tough on her body to organize and bake for the 2022 3-Day. With that realization, she was beyond disappointed that she and the other Cookie Ladies would be missing once again.

“I continued my treatment and as 2023 summer approached, I found myself in a place in my treatment regimen that I thought I might be able to step back into the lead Cookie Lady role… I let [Coach] Staci know I was battling cancer and headed to major surgery with hopes I’d be cancer-free and ready to roll,” Marla opened up. “While my surgery was a success, it was a short-lived one. At my 8-week check-up on my liver there were now eight new tumors, and I was heading back to chemo every two weeks for the next three months.” Despite all of this, Marla was still committed to supporting the 2023 San Diego 3-Day, so out went the sign-ups in early October and the volunteer bakers rolled in. “At least I could bake less than my usual 100 dozen cookies,” she joked.

As the date drew closer, she spoke to her oncologist about the option for extra fluids following the chemo that would end the day before Day 2, when they typically set up their table. Her doctor was intrigued and felt how important it was for Marla to attend, so he moved her chemo from before the 3-Day to the following Monday. Marla described this as a blessing, giving her a bit more strength to get through Friday for preparation and Saturday when they provide cookies to walkers. This year Marla reflected on how she spent more time out front talking with walkers than behind the table. “My heart was filled with happiness and joy for two reasons; the joy of the walkers being thrilled with our return and [the fact that] I was there despite my own cancer battle.”

The unstoppable Cookie Ladies showed up this year with over 3,500 homemade cookies, baked by themselves and volunteers. To gather these tasty treats, they put out a message on Facebook with a simple sign-up form and a little story of the 3-Day and asked around at work if anyone would like to participate. This year, they had 45 bakers donate homemade cookies which they gathered throughout the week leading up to the event. Each volunteer donated 3–4 dozen cookies either from scratch or premade dough. The only rule was that they must be baked with love at home. They provided all sorts of sweets including gluten free, vegan and nut free options accompanied by various milks such as dairy, almond, and oat.

Ultimately, their mission is to provide a pick-me-up for every walker to help get them through Day 2, a notoriously difficult stretch of the 3-Day. Over the years, they’ve been accompanied by Dany’s daughter Isabella R. and “Cookie Dude” Alan S. This year, Marla’s friend Laurie A. joined to experience the Pink Bubble for the first time and to ensure that Marla could physically manage the day amid her treatment.

For years, she’s described the Pink Bubble as “filled with love, hope, tears of joy and tears of sadness but it surrounds you with love. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll have an experience you never imagined having. You will meet new friends and grow closer to those you already know.” As a breast cancer survivor currently fighting colorectal cancer, she is passionate about raising money to fund research to get us closer to the cures.

For those interested in participating in the 3-Day, she says that the event is life-changing and that there are resources to help you with training and fundraising. The best fundraising advice she’s ever received is if you don’t ask, then the answer is always no, but if you do ask, the answer might be yes. This mindset has translated to countless aspects of her life and is just another way that the 3-Day has impacted her. Marla and the rest of the Cookie Ladies are set to return to the San Diego 3-Day in 2024, stating “it’s part of us and we realized just how much we missed it after our short absence… I plan to return as long as there is a 3-Day. It is a part of my heart and soul.”

Have you met Marla and the rest of the Cookie Ladies?