Meet Kris and Ken K., “The TuTu Brothers”, our New England Crew Impact Award Winners!
For 15 years, brothers Kris and Ken K. have been participating in the 3-Day as crew members, raising a combined total of almost $15,000. This power duo shows up year after year to honor their mother and provide support to 3-Day walkers. Get to know their impact below!
What was your inspiration to do your first 3-Day?
Our inspiration to get involved with the 3-Day stems from our mom. Back in 2006, she was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer, a very rare and aggressive form of the disease. After multiple rounds of chemo, surgeries, and radiation, she was given a clean bill of health. In 2008, our family life was getting back to normal when we, as a family, knew it was time to pay it forward and get involved anyway possible with fighting this disease. Little did we know that getting involved would lead to the 3-Day, which has changed all of our lives for the better.
What has brought you back to the 3-Day year after year?
What keeps us coming back is the inability to stop coming year after year. To be given the chance to be surrounded by our heroes and extended family makes it hard to stay away. And, of course, the need to keep fighting for the cures.
What is your favorite aspect of crewing the 3-Day?
There are so many favorite aspects of crewing for us, including spending time with each other, the rest of our family, and certainly our 3-Day family.
What is your best advice to anyone crewing the 3-Day?
Be ready to work hard and have a good time doing it! The days may be long, but being able to support the walkers makes the day go by fast. The walkers? Yeah, they love the crew, and it shows. We love them right back.
What’s a fun fact about you?
Ken: I am an Architectural Project Manager and have worked on projects in/been to 48 states. Kris: I’m the Technical Director and ADA coordinator for a small theatre company in Burlington, NJ.
What are the most important lessons you’ve learned on the 3-Day?
The most important lesson for us is to be reminded that there are a lot of good people in the world doing good things. With so much negativity around us, it’s important to know that in your own part of the world, the best people are the ones you surround yourself with and do good things with.
The Denver 3-Day made its much-anticipated return after a 12-year hiatus! Between August 25-27, the Pink Bubble gathered in the Mile High City to complete 60, 40 or 20 miles over the course of three days. Together, 700 walkers and 225 crew raised a total of $1.9 million for breast cancer research, community health, patient care and advocacy.
Day 1
The Denver 3-Day began with a beautiful Opening Ceremony, an opportunity for walkers and crew to gather for the first time before setting out on the route. The spirit of the Pink Bubble radiated as the room filled with excited participants ready to embark on Day 1 of the 3-Day.
As our first speaker, Tweet B., began her speech, the room fell silent, and hearts felt full while she spoke in her native language to honor the Navajo Nation. On her 12th journey in the Pink Bubble, she spoke of her grandmother, best friend, and “sole” sister who have all lost their lives to cancer. She spoke to their legacy and how they taught her what grace looks like under fire, inspiring her to walk year after year. Next, survivor Michele S. took the stage to speak of her sisters and herself who have been affected by breast cancer. Michele continues to walk to honor her sister who passed, her sister who’s a survivor, herself, and her grandchildren. Finally, Beth N. joined the stage to honor those participants we’ve lost to breast cancer this past year. Beth had the privilege of sharing Kim L.’s story as she raised the Promise Flag and we took a moment of silence to remember those who have died from breast cancer. After taking a moment to honor those survivors and thrivers who are part of our 3-Day community, we set out on Day 1.
Walkers found themselves at Coors Field before passing by the Denver Zoo. Here, over a dozen people cheered them on as they walked toward the Lowry District where many walkers were met with a bit of liquid sunshine for the remainder of the day. But, if we know anything about our Pink Bubble community, nothing can rain on our parade! As Day 1 wrapped up and our final walker returned to camp, participants were treated to the well-deserved Bank of America massage chairs before a delicious dinner, a 20th Anniversary cake-cutting and our Celebration of Champions program!
The Celebration of Champions soon commenced where Bank of America rewarded our Top Fundraisers, Milestone Award Winner, and Crew Impact Award Winners with donations up to $500 for their 2024 3-Day fundraising. New this year, Bank of America hosted a raffle where five Denver 3-Day participants won $250 toward their 2024 fundraising efforts.
With Day 1 complete, walkers headed to bed to rest their feet for the next day!
Day 2
This sunny day began with 2-Day walkers checking in and all walkers taking a quick bus ride to Greenwood Village. The Denver Ultimate Event Experience winner Jeanne A. led the way and walkers were greeted by Cherry Creek Cheerleaders who kept spirits high at three different spots along the route. Other cheering stations were lively, including one where a 4-year-old girl, adorned in all of her favorite princess regalia, handed out candy to walkers, including her grandma. Thrilled with her experience in the Pink Bubble, she later recalled it as being the “best day of my life.”
Crew kept it cool with themed pit stops including the groovy 60’s, Grease Lightning, and Denver sports teams. Walkers passed through Greenwood Village and Washington Park before stepping through the streamers to celebrate the halfway point at lunch. Afterwards, the black and pink arrows led our inspired walkers through the Santa Fe Arts District toward downtown Denver where the iconic Big Blue Bear sculpture welcomed us home.
With stomachs full and feet rested, the Honor Ceremony began. Youth Corps kicked things off by sharing who inspires them to participate in the 3-Day, and were followed by speakers Steph S. and Jesse K. As the room went dark, the 3-Day community lit their candles in tribute to the friends and family who inspire their participation.
After sharing many hugs and tears, walkers and crew called it a night and rested up for their final day of the Denver 3-Day.
Day 3
Sunday began by welcoming our 1-Day walkers. With the Denver 3-Day Pink Bubble complete, walkers made their way out on route, ready to show the Mile High City, once again, why we’re back! Walkers enjoyed sunshine and scenic views all day long as they passed through RiNo Arts District, over South Platte River, and ventured into Edgewater. With hungry hearts and stomachs, walkers filled up during lunch at Sloan Lake Park where they were treated to the picturesque landscape. After resting their feet, walkers continued their journey toward the Finish Line Festival at the Tivoli Quad.
It was a warm yet beautiful day and thanks to Mohawk, our walkers were comfortable on Smart Cushions as they waited for the ceremony to start! Additionally, Nature’s Bounty, READY, and Health Images were there to congratulate walkers for their tremendous accomplishments. As the last walker joined the Pink Bubble, the celebration officially began! Our amazing Crew lined the way toward the stage as we welcomed the courageous survivors and thrivers who remind us why we walk. Our hosts revealed that our Crew, Youth Corps, and 1-Day, 2-Day, and 3-Day Walkers at the Denver 3-Day raised a collective $1.9 million for Susan G. Komen®. The funds raised will be used to invest in cutting-edge research that will lead to new, more effective treatments, working in communities across the country to ensure all people can access the care they need, and mobilizing passionate supporters to make certain the voice of the breast cancer community is heard by policymakers. It was a wonderful return to Denver and we can’t wait to do it all over again in 2024!
We kicked off the 2023 3-Day season in historic New England where members of the Pink Bubble gathered from all across the country between August 18-20 to participate in the momentous event! Together, the walkers and crew of the 2023 New England 3-Day raised a total of $2.1 million in the fight against breast cancer.
Day 1
New England 3-Dayers began their journey doing what they know best: adapting to change and overcoming obstacles! In the early hours of the morning, the skies opened up, resulting in a weather delay and route change. Despite these unforeseen challenges, our determined and courageous participants set out to paint the town pink! We began the day with an exciting Opening Ceremony, where walkers and crew gathered to ring in the first day with cheers and pins (so many pins!). Brothers James and Billy D. honored their late mother and all those who have lost their lives to breast cancer as they raised our Promise Flag for the crowd.
Inspired and well-rested, walkers embarked on the New England 3-Day for a 10-mile walk starting from the beautiful Marriott Copley Place. The sun mimicked the smiles of our walkers and crew, shining through the clouds as the Pink Bubble took to the streets of downtown Boston. Walkers brought the spirit to Brookline and Chestnut Hill where they enjoyed a delicious lunch before turning around toward home base. As walkers poured in, so did the rain! Showers briefly started back up as Day 1 wrapped up and our final walker returned to camp. After relaxing in the well-deserved Bank of America massage chairs, walkers enjoyed a delicious dinner. We even heard that a few committed walkers returned from the route only to head straight to the hotel fitness center to complete their 20 miles!
The Celebration of Champions soon commenced where Bank of America rewarded our Top Fundraisers, Milestone Award Winner, and Crew Impact Award Winners with donations up to $500 for their 2024 3-Day fundraising. New this year, Bank of America hosted a raffle where five New England 3-Day participants won $250 toward their 2024 fundraising efforts. Participants who have participated for 18+ years joined at the stage to cut the 3-Day’s 20th anniversary cake and celebrate this momentous event. With Day 1 complete, walkers headed to bed to rest their feet for tomorrow!
Day 2
The day started and ended with the sun high in the sky, shining proudly despite the challenges of the day before. Valiant walkers took to the streets of Boston at 7:45 a.m. as Ultimate Event Experience winner Alison R. and her team Cousins 4 A Cure: Twice as Nice led the way!
With spirits high, walkers set out to complete their next 20 miles through the streets of Boston. They snapped some photos in front of the iconic Fenway Park and walked the bubbly streets toward Sam Adams Brewery. The city was alive in Boston Commons, with smiles in every direction and tour guides decked out in historic garb. Walkers experienced other lively pit stops along the way thanks to our beloved crew who offered a glimpse into Beauty and the “Breast”, Pirates of the Caribbean and more!
No Saturday would be complete without a hearty serving of mac and cheese before heading into the Honor Ceremony. Members of the Youth Corps shared their stories as they lit candles in honor of their loved ones who have been affected by breast cancer. The rest of the crowd followed their lead, lighting the way to the remembrance room, a beautiful tribute showcasing the friends and family members behind the “why” of our Pink Bubble family. With hearts full and feet tired, walkers and crew rested up for the final day of the New England 3-Day.
Day 3
Today began with welcoming the 20-mile walkers to join us in the Pink Bubble during a delicious and nutritious breakfast to fuel up before heading out on the route. With the sun shining, walkers spent the day witnessing many of Boston’s historic sites including the Freedom Trail, USS Constitution, and Bunker Hill Monument to name a few. While on route, walkers were greeted at multiple pit stops by lively crew members adorned with Disney themed outfits and décor to keep spirits high. Our National Series Sponsor, XPO, even set up an incredible cheer station with bubbles and candy to inspire our walkers to push through toward the Finish Line Festival!
Walkers took their final strides into the Finish Line Festival where they picked up their New England 3-Day medal, victory t-shirts, and enjoyed a protein bar from Ready Nutrition. With tears of joy and smiles from ear-to-ear, walkers snapped some pictures at the Nature’s Bounty photobooth fully equipped with warrior wings and props… pink of course!
As the last walker made their way across the Mohawk Flooring pink carpet, they were cheered on by the hundreds of walkers, crew, staff, and supporters who were gathered together. When the final walker raised the flag, the Closing Ceremony began with a sea of sneakers in the air while our survivors and thrivers made their way toward the stage. Comradery, love, and support radiated from every single person in attendance as the New England 3-Day came to a close. We can’t wait to see you back in Boston in 2024!
Were you at the New England 3-Day? What was your favorite part?
