Summer Fundraising: 5 Ways to Incorporate Fundraising into Your Favorite Summer Activities 

Summertime is all about fun in the sun and spending time with friends and family. With the 3-Day around the corner and the Pink Bubble ready to unite, you don’t have to choose between fundraising and enjoying the sunniest time of year. Keep reading for a few ways to incorporate fundraising into your favorite summer activities.   

  1. Fire up the BBQ  

With grilling season in high gear, you and your supporters can flip some burgers for a good cause. Add a tip jar at your next BBQ to benefit you on your way to the 3-Day and ask your donors and family to do the same at their own gatherings. Want to kick it up a notch? Host a pie or hot dog eating contest and collect donations in contestants’ names. The winner can take home a prize and the donations go toward your fundraising efforts. Talk about a win-win!  

  1. Throw a Block Party 

Turn your fundraising into the talk of the town by hosting a block party in your neighborhood. Whether you’re already best friends or you’ve never met, a block party is a great way to bring the whole community together to enjoy some summer fun. Send out a community invite asking everyone to contribute to the event with food, music, and activities and be sure to include a short blurb about your reason for walking the 3-Day. Encourage donations both in your invite and during the party so you can facilitate community bonding and fundraising at the same time!  

  1. Join a Farmer’s Market 

Do you have a knack for gardening? What about a love for baking? Are you obsessed with crafting? Whatever you’re into making, you can contact your local farmer’s market to set up a booth and sell goods for a cause. Don’t have a green thumb or a creative streak? Connect with a local vendor and ask to volunteer your time in exchange for a tip jar or a portion of the proceeds to benefit your fundraising efforts.  

  1. Host a Pool Party 

Pool days are one of the best parts of summer! Don’t have a pool in your backyard? Not a problem! Head over to your local public pool and ask if you can host a pool party with them to raise money for the 3-Day. Reach out to local vendors to donate food, drinks, and music, and invite everyone you can think of (within capacity, of course). Charge an entry fee to all attendees and accept additional donations at the door. Talk about the ultimate pool day!  

  1. Plan a Golf (or Mini Golf) Tournament 

Team up with your favorite golf course to host 9 holes for hope. Share your story with the community, spread the word at country clubs, courses, and anywhere else you can think of. Charge an entry fee and announce a prize for the player with the best score. Step closer and closer to your fundraising goals, one swing at a time!  All in all, whatever your favorite summer activity may be, your opportunities to fundraise are endless! Get creative and enjoy your summer. Happy fundraising! 

The People You’ll Meet on the 3-Day

The 3-Day is an extraordinary event that brings together people from all walks of life, united by a common purpose: to raise awareness and funds in the fight against breast cancer. Whether it’s your first 3-Day or 50th, there are six people you’re guaranteed to encounter on your journey! 

The 3-Day Mom 

There’s always a seasoned participant affectionately known as the “3-Day Mom.” With a wealth of experience, this remarkable individual has participated in more 3-Day events than you can count and serves as a guiding light for newcomers. The 3-Day Mom takes you under their wing, sharing their wisdom and knowledge. They eagerly provide you with essential tips and tricks, ensuring your fanny pack is stocked with everything you might need before you head on the route. More than just a walking buddy, they invite you to sit at their table, eat with them and they make sure to introduce you to every member on their team! 

The Marvelous Medical Crew Member 

When your tired and aching body yearns for relief, the Marvelous Medical Crew Member appears as a beacon. With a genuine smile and compassionate demeanor, they greet you with open arms. These dedicated professionals are always there, ready to address any medical issue that may arise during your 60-mile journey. From blister care to hydration strategies, they possess an almost magical ability to offer solutions that keep you going. Their unwavering commitment to your well-being gives you the confidence to persevere, knowing that you’re in safe hands. 

The Courageous Walker Battling Breast Cancer 

Among the walkers, you’ll encounter a true hero, the Courageous Walker Battling Breast Cancer. This individual epitomizes our well-known 3-Day phrase, “Walking 60 miles is hard, but not as hard as breast cancer.” Despite facing their own personal fight, they exude kindness, encouragement, and an undeniable spirit of resilience. With every step they take, they defy the challenges that breast cancer presents. Their grace and positive attitude are a tribute to the strength of the human spirit. Their presence serves as a reminder that together, we can overcome any obstacle and create a world without breast cancer. 

The Vibrant Youth Corps Member 

The Youth Corps members infuse the event with their boundless energy and unwavering enthusiasm. With their infectious smiles and positive attitudes, they provide a refreshing presence that uplifts the spirits of participants. Whether it’s offering words of encouragement, cheering on weary walkers, or lending a helping hand, their supportive presence creates a sense of camaraderie and motivation that propels everyone forward! 

The Newbie Walker 

Dressed in vibrant attire that pays tribute to their loved ones battling breast cancer or honors those they have lost, the wide-eyed Newbie Walker is a symbol of hope and strength. They jump full-force into the spirit of the event, embracing every challenge with unwavering determination. These phenomenal folks are often found at the front of the line, eager to embark on each day’s route. Their newfound commitment to the cause inspires others to push beyond their limits, to keep going, and to never give up. They are the future of the 3-Day, a living testament to the power of solidarity and the impact a single person can make with every step they take. 

The Crew Captain with Endless Energy 

Behind the scenes, ensuring every aspect of the 3-Day event runs smoothly, is the Crew Captain that has an infinite amount of energy. This extraordinary event pro possesses an unbreakable spirit that radiates throughout the weekend. They rise before the sun, fueled by passion and dedication, and stay at camp until the last walker heads to bed. Their tireless efforts ensure that the event is a perfect experience for all participants. With days jam-packed with event logistics, they pour their heart and soul into creating an atmosphere that nurtures and uplifts all walkers! 

Have you met any of these people on event? Share with us! 

Happy Father’s Day!

As we celebrate fathers and father figures on this special day, let us remember that the fight against breast cancer knows no gender boundaries. It is a collective battle that requires the participation of everyone, and the 3-Day community is proud to unite all in the pursuit of a world without breast cancer. Today, we’re highlighting male breast cancer statistics and information in honor of the men in our Pink Bubble family, whether walking or crewing, who support the fight against breast cancer. 

While the gifts of material possessions or experiences are an easy enough way to convey how much we care about the fathers in our lives, the gift of knowledge can be more impactful.  

One crucial piece of knowledge that it’s important to convey is the fact that men can, and do, have breast cancer. It’s understandable why men are often overlooked when it comes to breast cancer but, despite many physical dissimilarities, men, just like women, are born with breast tissue. That means that men are also susceptible to breast cancer. 

Although the numbers, when compared to women, are low, 1 in 833 men will still come face to face with a diagnosis that will change their lives.  

There are some realities that are true for all men, like the median age of diagnosis being higher than it is for women, or that it’s probable that men are less likely to report signs or symptoms of illness. But there are other aspects of the experience that are unique to different populations, like the fact that non-Hispanic Black men have the highest rate of incidence and tend to be younger than white men when it comes to being diagnosed, and non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander men have the lowest rate of incidence. Age, physical activity, diet, health history, etc., all of these can majorly influence the ways in which the men closest to us might come face-to-face with this disease.  

In 2023, 2,800 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in male patients. Even with this in mind, the disease is, by and large, considered by many to be a women-specific issue. The shame and lack of awareness contribute to men missing or ignoring the warning signs, delaying medical intervention, and postponing care. One of the best ways to combat this culture is through education. Being mindful of things like one’s family history of cancer, genetic determinants such as BReast CAncer 2 (BRCA2) and Klinefelter syndrome, and lifestyle can all help make sure the men closest to us live lives as healthy and fruitful as they can.  

Here are 5 things every man should know about breast cancer: 

  1. Breast cancer in men usually occurs between the ages of 60 and 70. 
  1. Among all men, black men have the highest incidence (new cases) of breast cancer. 
  1. When self-examining, look for a painless lump or thickening in the chest or armpit. 
  1. It’s recommended that men know and understand their risk. 
  1. Annual exams can save your life. 

If you’re able, take some time this year to check in with the fathers you know. It’s understandable that these conversations might be uncomfortable, but Susan G. Komen is ready to provide resources that will give you the information needed to speak knowledgeably. Take a look at some of the links below and share them with those in your circle. 

The 3-Day’s ultimate goal is to help manifest a society in which breast cancer is a thing of the past. And while we walk for the many people who’ve helped shape us into who we are, a society truly free of breast cancer includes men as well. All of us, regardless of gender, deserve to invest in and benefit from, a world where this affliction is rendered powerless.  

We are a stronger, more vibrant community thanks to those we call “Papa,” “Pops,” “Gampy” and everything in between. To all the dads out there – especially the ones who are in the fight and to those serving as caretakers – happy Father’s Day! 

Check out more resources from Susan G. Komen here: 

Male Breast Cancer 

Support Services Help Men Cope With A Breast Cancer Diagnosis 

Treatment for Male Breast Cancer