Tag Archives: Susan G. Komen

Boost Your 3-Day Fundraising with These Tools

Komen 3-Day appWe’re just a few months away from our first event of the 2026 Susan G. Komen 3-Day® season. Whether you’re just getting started with fundraising or trying to drive more donations, there are a few simple strategies that can help you reach your goal faster than you might think. 

For many participants, fundraising can feel like an overwhelming task. But often, the hardest part is simply getting started and making that first ask.  

Believe it or not, it’s possible to reach a $2,300 goal in two months or less. Just a few intentional steps can help you build momentum quickly: 

  • Start with your own commitment and make a $25 self-donation. 
  • Plan a multi-family garage sale in your neighborhood. 
  • Send out a fundraising email from the 3-Day app to everyone in your family and friends and ask for a minimum donation of $50. Add a note to let them know that even a $25 donation can helps scientists find new ways to prevent, detect and treat breast cancer. 
  • Ask your employer for a company contribution of at least $150. 

One of the easiest ways to put these strategies into action is by using the awesome Komen 3-Day app. If you already have the app, think of this as your reminder to start using its built-in tools to drive your next round of donations. 

On average, participants who use the app raise 27% more than those who don’t. It gives you simple ways to reach people quickly and effectively. 

Here’s what that can look like: 

  • Emails sent through the app bring in an average donation of $193. 
  • QR code donations average $91. 
  • Text messages average $106. 
  • Facebook fundraisers average $113. 

Those numbers add up quickly, so be sure to download the 3-Day app today. 

If you want to find more ways to secure additional donations, take a look at how you can do that in just one month. 

Whether you plan to walk 20, 40 or all 60 miles, every step you take — and every dollar you raise — brings us one step closer to a world without breast cancer. We’re so grateful you’re part of this community. 

Don’t forget!  We also have a long list of year-round strategies in our 101 Fundraising Ideas. 

Jessica’s Story: Volunteering With a Crown at the 3-Day

Jessica Ashmore wearing her Mrs. Oklahoma crown and sash at the ShareForCures tent at the San Diego 3-Day.

Jessica A. took a unique approach to volunteering at the Susan G. Komen San Diego 3-Day® — wearing her crown as the reigning United States of America’s Mrs. Oklahoma 2026 to draw attention to breast cancer research. 

At the 3-Day in November, Jessica volunteered in the tent dedicated to ShareForCures® — a breast cancer research registry by Susan G. Komen, connecting researchers with information from people who have or had breast cancer to close gaps in breast cancer research data to make new discoveries faster. 

Jessica A. at a Susan G. Komen event in San Diego.

“I initially found out about the Komen 3-Day about 10 years ago when we first came to San Diego,” explained Jessica, whose husband serves in the U.S. Marine Corps. “Back then, I volunteered and cheered along the route. It was a fantastic experience, so I wanted to be part of it again when we moved back here last year.” 

As part of her role, titleholders must participate in community service during their reign, and she saw the 3-Day as an opportunity to do just that.  

“My platform typically centers around all things military —  supporting veterans, active-duty service members and their families, and finding ways to better serve them,” Jessica explained. “But breast cancer is something that affect so many women and families, and it felt important to use my voice to support that as well.”  

Like many, she has seen the impact of breast cancer firsthand. 

“My grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had a mastectomy and reconstruction, and she had a lot of issues with that pre- and post-surgery,” Jessica said. “And my husband’s grandmother had breast cancer I believe three different times.” 

In preparation for volunteering at the 3-Day, Jessica took the time to learn about ShareForCures so she could speak confidently and direct potential participants on how to join the registry.   

ShareForCures volunteer Jessica A. is also Mrs. Oklahoma 2026.“The crown and sash — it’s a talking point. It gets people to come over and ask, ‘What are you here for?’” Jessica said with a smile. “Whenever I got those questions, I would tell them I was there volunteering for ShareForCures. I am hopeful my volunteer efforts resulted in people signing up for this important program.”

Outside of her volunteer work, Jessica is a research program coordinator supporting the Extremity Trauma and Amputation Center of Excellence for the Department of Defense. She lives in San Diego with her husband and three children.  

For more information on joining ShareForCures visit komen.org/shareforcures. 

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.
 

 

 

Sculpting Strength: A Teen’s Tribute to Breast Cancer and the 3-Day

Sidh J. is a member of the Susan G. Komen 3-Day Youth Corps.

At just 17, Sidh J. found a unique way to honor the breast cancer community that has been a meaningful part of his life through his experience growing up around the Susan G. Komen 3-Day®: a ceramic sculpture that features a woman’s body, a heart, flowers and a pink ribbon. 

“The flowers represent a sort of regrowth and renewal that survivors may feel after everything they have been through,” Sidh explained. “And the ribbon represents the fight people have had against breast cancer. The arms holding the heart is to show that love continues even when someone is no longer here.” 

Family Ties to Breast Cancer 

The inspiration behind Sidh’s artwork is deeply personal. 

From a young age, breast cancer was something he knew about. His grandmother was diagnosed at 39 and died from the disease before Sidh was born. She was just 42.  

“My family has always talked about my grandmother,” Sidh said. “She was really strong while she was facing breast cancer, so I knew a lot about it.” 

In 2012, Sidh’s mom began participating in the 3-Day, walking 60 miles in memory of her mother. Since then, the 3-Day has played an important role in Sidh’s life. He attended 3-Day events in Philadelphia and New England when his mom walked, and his older sister participated in the Youth Corps. Inspired by those experiences, Sidh joined the 2023 New England 3-Day Youth Corps and continued volunteering in 2024.  The Youth Corps is a special group of young volunteers, ages 10 to 16, who support walkers during the 3-Day by offering a helping hand, cheering them on and lifting their spirits every step of the way. 

Sidh J. speaking about his family ties to breast cancer at the Susan G. Komen New England 3-Day.

“It felt great to finally be able to make my contribution to the fight against breast cancer,” Sidh said. “I have really appreciated meeting so many people and hearing their stories over the last two years on the Youth Corps.” 

Art Inspired by Breast Cancer 

Sidh, who is interested in engineering and material science, took his first pottery class in sixth grade. Over time, it became his creative outlet. 

“Fundamentally, pottery is kind of material science. The clay that I use, the paints I use to cover it—they all change and determine the final form of the piece,” Sidh explained. “It has been a great way for me to express my feelings.” 

Last October during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Sidh decided to combine two important parts of his life: his passion for pottery and his connection to the 3-Day. The result was his sculpture titled “In Memory Of …” inspired by his grandmother and the many stories of strength he has encountered through the 3-Day.  

Sidh J.'s sculpture designed for breast cancer awareness.

“When I was making this piece, I was constantly thinking about the Remembrance Tent and the people who had breast cancer and are no longer with us,” Sidh said. “My piece is to show they are always in our hearts and also to honor those who survived and continue to inspire others.” 

Sidh’s sculpture was selected to be exhibited later this month at the 2026 National K-12 Juried Ceramic Exhibition in Michigan, where it will be entered into competition and eligible for awards and scholarships.  

Sidh is currently a high school junior in Northern Virginia. He hopes to stay connected to the 3-Day and plans to return in the future as a walker.