What it’s Like to Walk 1 or 2 Days at the Susan G. Komen 3-Day®

Family obligations, coordinating days off from work, fundraising concerns, physical limitations… life comes with obstacles that may pose a challenge for some to walk 60 miles over three days. Fret not, because for the very first time at the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® you have the option to walk one, two, or three days in each city! Regardless of your schedule or abilities, you can now become fully immersed in the Pink Bubble in a way that works best for you. You’ve heard stories from our Komen 3-Day Walkers, so we’ve teamed up with Elissa R. and Jenn H., 1-Day and 2-Day Walkers from the 2023 Denver 3-Day, to share what it’s like to be part of the 3-Day® for 20 or 40 miles. If you haven’t registered yet or are considering adding another city to your 2024 3-Day itinerary, these women are here to help you decide which option is best for you.

1-Day Walker: Elissa R.

Breast cancer survivor Elissa R. first participated in the 3-Day in 2018 alongside her sisters in San Diego and has walked five times since, celebrating her 20-year survivorship at the 2023 Denver 3-Day. Elissa walked all three days in 2018 then switched to walking one day in 2019 due to her walking partner’s physical limitations. Every year, they arrive early to cheer the walkers on the first or second day and do some exploring before embarking on their 20-mile journey. Though she’s not walking all three days, she still feels the power of the Pink Bubble whenever she joins the 3-Day. She describes it as a sisterhood of people who want to end breast cancer, where everyone knows someone who’s been impacted or has fought it themselves. The most powerful moment she remembers was the 2021 Closing Ceremony where she walked hand-in-hand with other survivors surrounded by a sea of supporters.

She is looking forward to walking in the New England 3-Day this year as a 2-Day Walker, an option that allows her a bit more flexibility and time within the Pink Bubble. In the meantime, she walks each day sporting her 3-Day attire which often sparks conversation amongst strangers to share their breast cancer experience, learn about the 3-Day, or inquire about donating.

2-Day Walker: Jenn H.

Jenn is a three-time 3-Day Walker who began her journey at the 2018 Philadelphia 3-Day alongside her sister. Having dense breast tissue and a family history of cancer, she walks the 3-Day while she is a healthy individual to make an impact and hopefully create a day where cancer isn’t such a debilitating diagnosis. In 2023, she chose to walk two days in Denver because it was just a short drive from her hometown in Nebraska and was unsure if she would be able to meet the fundraising requirements. Still eager to push herself, Jenn and her sister both decided to shoot for the middle of the road as 2-Day Walkers. Not only did they feel that it was the most flexible option, but it still granted them the opportunity to meet new people, hear their stories, have fun with the crew, and make an impact.

In 2024, Jenn, her sister, niece, and friend all are embarking on the Denver 3-Day as 3-Day Walkers to continue making an even greater impact. They walk to help offset any of the costs for the people who are already struggling to stay healthy and pay their regular bills while undergoing treatment. “People shouldn’t have to choose between paying their bills and getting the treatment and support they need to get better,” she shared. To anybody considering the 3-Day, Jenn provides wise words of encouragement. “It will be the best, hardest thing you’ll do. It’s hard fundraising, hard training, hard getting used to the idea of 60 miles in three days, but it’s the best time and the most fun, hard thing I have done. AND… it’s not harder than cancer.”

Will you be walking one, two, or three days at the 2024 3-Day?

A Guide to the Route: Pit Stop vs Grab & Go

The Susan G. Komen 3-Day® is filled with experiences and information that may seem foreign to first-time participants or even veterans. To ensure that you show up to the event as prepared as possible, we’re kicking off A Guide to the Route, a three-part series giving you a behind-the-scenes glance at what you’ll see while inside the Pink Bubble. Today we’ll be covering the differences between a pit stop and a grab & go. Future posts will talk about sweep vans and ceremonies, providing insightful information from those who create the event from the ground up.

When you arrive at the Komen 3-Day you’ll be handed a route card each day which provides information regarding the day’s mileage and schedule. You’ll probably notice a plethora of pit stops and the occasional grab & go along the route and may wonder exactly what these are. While similar in their purpose to provide you with a place to rest and fuel up, there is a difference between the two types of stops. It’s important to know what makes these two route stops unique, so that when you begin each day of the 3-Day®, you can plan accordingly and in a way that will help you safely reach the finish line. To ensure that you’re successful along the route, we’ve gone ahead and noted all the frequently asked questions and misconceptions about pit stops vs grab & gos.

What is a pit stop?

A pit stop is a rest opportunity for walkers that occurs every 3–4 miles as allowed. Pit stops have snacks, drinks, portable toilets and medical. They are a chance for walkers to take a load off, refresh their water bottles or seek medical attention if necessary.

What is a grab & go?

A grab & go is a mini rest stop and is used to fill in gaps in mileage where a pit stop either doesn’t fit or where there is too much mileage between stops. A grab and go only offers drinks and portable toilets for walkers. A grab & go does not have snacks or medical services.

What are the similarities and differences between the two?

Like a pit stop, a grab and go has a scheduled opening and closing time to ensure participants keep on pace. Both are staffed with wonderful crew who are ready to add a little pep and energy back into your step.

While both are available to all walkers, ONLY a pit stop has medical crew present and is staffed to help ALL walkers. Without Medical onsite at a grab & go, walkers who need medical help are brought to the next available pit stop. Sweep vans, vehicles that pick up participants along the route and bring them to the next stop, do NOT drop or pick up from a grab & go (except in extreme situations).

When can a walker expect to see a pit stop vs. a grab & go?

Pit stops are approximately every 3–4 miles. A grab & go is used to fill in gaps when mileage between pit stops is more than four miles, to help whenever participants are bussed out to the route, or whenever a site is not large enough for a pit stop.

How many grab & gos are on the route each day?

The number will vary depending on the needs of the route each day. Typically, there is one grab & go each day but sometimes there are none and in very rare cases there are two.

What are the need-to-knows when planning your day along the route?

Since your safety is of our utmost importance, sweep vans are NOT allowed to drop off participants at grab & go locations as the onsite crew is not equipped to assist walkers in need. A grab & go is staffed with a smaller crew than a pit stop and it does not have the resources or space for medical crew or to provide sweep van access. If after arriving at a grab & go you decide that you need to utilize a sweep van, you will need to walk out on the route and signal for a sweep van like you typically would.

If you have any more questions regarding pit stops vs grab & gos, please contact your 3-Day coach for more information. Happy walking!

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!