The Susan G. Komen Seattle 3-Day Honors Our Opening Ceremony Speakers

We began our 2017 Susan G. Komen Seattle 3-Day with an inspiring Opening Ceremony as the sun started to rise on a perfect fall day on the West Coast. Our Opening Ceremonies this year are led by participants, with special recognition given to our breast cancer survivors and those living with metastatic breast cancer.

Crew members, walkers, and supporters joined their hearts and hopes in the shared promise of bringing about the end of breast cancer, one footstep and mile at a time. Take some time to get to know our Opening Ceremony speakers.

Troy Richards – My Wife

I walk for Misty, my wife, and the mother of our two boys. She is the rock and foundation of our family. Her attitude and perseverance should be an inspiration to anyone affected by such an invasive disease. I also walk for women and men still battling to stay healthy and safe. I’m Troy and I am More Than Pink.

Cathy Parsell – My Friend

I’m walking to honor my friend, Carole, a fierce warrior in the animal rescue community. She used that same warrior attitude when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She boldly showed breast cancer that she was More than Pink and won the battle. We love you, Carole! I’m Cathy and I am More Than Pink.

Veronica Claudio – My Mother

I am walking in memory of my sweet momma, Claudia Claudio, who is truly the definition of an angel. She taught me to LOVE life and find the joy in every day, to always turn the radio up when Rick Springfield is playing, and what true courage and strength look like. She will forever be remembered for her signature dimples, her bright light, and the legacy that she left that still lives on today. I’m Veronica and I am More Than Pink.

Holly Raissipour – My Children
It is continually my honor to walk the 3-Day as a survivor all the way from Boston. I am humbled and amazed at the continued generosity, support and love of people. This year is my 8^th year and 11^th walk, and all three of my daughters, my husband and all my friends support and cheer me on from afar to help find a world where no one will ever hear again the words: “You have breast cancer.” I’m Holly and I am More Than Pink.

Heather Jellerson – My Sister

I am walking for my sister, Kimberly Valerine Holmes. Kim lost her fight, but worked so hard to laugh her way through it. I’m participating today because her strength inspires me to walk so that others may have a better chance to win their fight with breast cancer. I’m Heather and I am More Than Pink.

Lauren Leiker – My Aunt

In 2005, I walked my first 3-Day for my Aunt Barb. Today, I walk again for my aunt, a two-time survivor, and for all who have fought and are still fighting breast cancer. I’m Lauren and I am More Than Pink.

Dena McLauchlin – Ceremony Host

I walk for an amazing friend who lost her courageous battle six years ago. I made a promise to her that day that I would do everything I could to keep fighting to end breast cancer. Since Jean passed, I have had four friends lose their courageous fight?two in just the last three months. So as I begin my 14^th walk here in Seattle, I will dedicate these 60 miles to all my friends who were sent home too early, to my two aunts who also fought this fight but earned their wings, to all my friends who are currently fighting, and to all my friends who will fight. I’m Dena, I am More Than Pink… and I’m honored to welcome you to the 2017 Seattle 3-Day!

Meet Your Seattle Coaches

The Seattle 3-Day is this weekend, and our coaches can’t wait to welcome all the walkers to their hometown! Some of the Seattle team have been with the 3-Day for a while, but there are also some new faces. It’s the perfect time to get to know all your coaches better!

Coach Jen Haber and Crew & Volunteer Coordinator Kathleen Klotz are heading up your Seattle team, and these two are quite the dynamic duo!

Jen has been involved with the 3-Day in various roles since 2000, when she walked her first event. Kathleen joined the 3-Day team just after she graduated college, and has been a part of the family ever since.

They are excited to continue their tradition of passion this year, and can’t wait to welcome all the walkers, crew and supporters to the Seattle route!

Jen says she especially loves “seeing everyone bright and early at Opening Ceremony! I love seeing the Space Needle lit up before dawn!”

Kathleen has other favorite spots along the route.

“I really love the pit stops, especially when the crews take their time to make it their own. Each one is always a little different and I really think that helps the walkers to look forward to the next stop on the route. Plus, snacks!”

If you need some motivation after the Opening Ceremony or in between pit stops, Jen and Kathleen have you covered there, too. Here are their favorite walking songs to put some pep in your step this weekend! Jen loves “Livin’ on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi and Kathleen can’t get “Thunder” by Imagine Dragons out of her head.

That love of music makes sense, given that Jen says Kathleen “is an incredible lip-syncer” as well as a dedicated coach.

Kathleen also sings the praises of her fellow coach.

“Jen Haber is such a wonderful asset to the Seattle 3-Day. She always has the right answers and is really on top of communication. She has a heart for this event and it shows in so many ways.”

Though Jen lives in the San Diego area, she has lots of heart for Seattle, saying that she loves all the shops and cafes along the water the West Seattle neighborhood, in Alki Beach. She also would love to be able to fly so she can spend time “visiting the highest point in any city that I visit. I MUST go to the top of the Space Needle at some point this weekend!”

That high climb is also on Kathleen’s “must-do” list for this weekend, along with giving all of the walkers a very warm welcome!

“We have such a great group of participants in Seattle. I am constantly looking for ways to keep them happy and wanting to come back for more! Please don’t hesitate to come find me to say hi, or share a hug! (I love hugs). I want to get to know as many participants as possible!”

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A new face you’ll see on the route is Coach Heather Snyder, who is joining us from Michigan to assist Coaches Jen and Kathleen. She is very excited to be heading to the West Coast for the weekend!

“Thank you to the Seattle 3-Day community. Not only do I get the opportunity to visit your beautiful city and share in your amazing 3-Day experience, I get to do it up close and personal! Being on event at Opening and Closing Ceremonies, meeting participants and crew on the route, and interacting with them extensively at camp is one of the best parts of my job! While I may not be your local coach, I am thrilled to be coming to Seattle and meeting you. After all, we are truly one big pink community from the coast to coast!”

Heather has been passionate about the 3-Day cause for some time, and says the 3-Day was “always something I wanted to do. Then, in the February of 2015, when a friend formed a team, I jumped on board. I started training ASAP and fundraising PDQ (that’s ‘Pretty Darn Quick’). I’m so glad I did! I completed all 60 miles with no injuries and raised $4500. After that, I was hooked!”

Other things to know about Heather is that has Fiji and a future birthday spent in Italy on her “must-visit” global destination and she recommends “Break Stuff” by Limp Bizkit for your walking playlist. If you see Coach Heather on the route, be sure to give her a great big Seattle welcome!

Seattle 3-Day Route Preview

In September, the 3-Day is taking us to the Pacific Northwest. Here we come, Seattle 3-Day!

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For returning walkers, this walk will be a welcome combination of all their favorite spots, combined with a few updates we have made based on participant feedback from last year. There were some big changes to the route last year, so for this year we just made some small updates to the 2016 route.

Our Seattle Event Production Manager, Ann Love, says, “I’m so glad that we were able to take a new route that was so well-received last year, and make a few changes to make people even happier! We made some nice updates!”

Those updates include a new spot for lunch on Day One, at the Downtown Park at Bellevue. We had lunch at the park a few years ago, but due to construction on the site, we haven’t been in there in a while, so this will be our first year back in the beautiful park! This is one of Ann’s favorite spots on Day 1 because there is a waterfall, a beautiful pond full of ducks, stadium seating and even a cool play area. If walkers still have energy after their first few miles, Ann recommends playing in the park!

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There are still plenty of well-known favorite sites on the Day One route, including the Opening Ceremony at the Space Needle, and camp in Redmond at Marymoor Park.

Ann promises newcomers that the park is “really large and beautiful! It’s an awesome camp spot!”

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After a restful night’s sleep in our park campground, much of Day Two will be spent along the waterfront in Kirkland.

Ann says this is usually “everyone’s favorite part” of the walk, and will offer a lot of great photo opportunities. Don’t forget to use #SEA3Day when you post your photos on social media!

You will also see some fun local cheering stations on the Day Two route.

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Those include the Parrot Heads of Puget Sound, who will be on Snyder’s Corner in Kirkland. You can enjoy the sounds of Jimmy Buffet as they support your every step! There will also be the Shore Cheerleaders in the morning and Woodinville Cheerleaders in the afternoon to help keep all our walkers motivated.

Also, keep an eye out for photo ops at Heritage, Grass Lawn and even Google Park. There is plenty to see and enjoy throughout the day!

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In addition, Coach Stephanie Mayer says to keep an eye out for the famous Lil Smokies Guys, who will be out every day of the weekend to cheer on the walkers!

Day Three has the most changes to the route from last year, all based on participant feedback from last year’s walkers. These include removing some stairs from the walk!

“These are all changes for the better that should make our walkers happy!” according to Ann.

The North Queens Drill Team will be out cheering the walkers on Sunday morning. They are a military precision marching and flag team. The team enables girls 8-20 the opportunity to march in parades and competitions, to learn sportsmanship, leadership, discipline, and responsibility. This is a favorite part of the walk for Coach Stephanie!

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There is also Gas Works Park, located on the north shore of Lake Union. You’ll hit this park around mile 6.8. and be able to enjoy beautiful views of the Seattle skyline from here!

Another site to look out for on Day Three will be the Woodland Park Rose Garden. The route will take walkers past the park, but we encourage walkers to take a slight detour to go in to explore and take photos!

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