Melissa and David: 3-Day Power Spouses

Today is Spouse’s Day, and we are lucky to have many spouses, along with significant others of all kinds, walk with us on the 3-Day. Their love and support mirrors the love and support that surround the pink bubble on our 60-mile journey. It’s inspiring to say the least! One such couple is David and Melissa from the Dallas/Fort Worth 3-Day.

They have been together for a decade, and now walk the 3-Day with their daughter Alex, plus four other couples! Together, they have walked and crewed and made themselves a staple in the “powerful pink bubble of love” that is the 3-Day.

But it all started with Melissa. She is a breast cancer survivor (20 years now, and counting!), and walked her first 3-Day in 2007 along with her daughter. At the time, David was their walker stalker, but soon he was walking and crewing alongside them.

Melissa says that even now, “Doing the 3-Day as a couple is an extraordinary way to do the event! Sharing something that is so important keeps us focused on our shared values and we are there for each other when training is tough, motivation wanes, or simply to enjoy each other’s company. We both have full time careers that take up a lot of time and the world is a busy place. Training walks are ?our time’ to shut down phones and just be together, talk about life, and plan for the future. We now walk long walks year-round.

“When we are on event, we have the advantage of having our partner and best friend on site to share the experience, to take care of each other, to share that extra dessert in the evening or to bring each other coffee in the morning!”

That is the case whether you’re walking or crewing! Melissa and David have done it all, supporting each other when David didn’t think 60 miles was a big deal (Melissa still reminds him of this) or when Melissa took a tumble as part of bike safety crew (David helped her get back up and out onto the route). Those long miles together bring them closer every year.

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Melissa says that no matter how you get involved, the 3-Day is a great way to connect with your loved ones.

“The 3-Day brings us back to the sense of community where we are all in it together and if anyone is in need, then we have all failed — so the spirit of being there for each other is present in everything we do throughout the weekend. David and I live our marriage like this as much as possible, but life today can make us all a bit self-centered. The 3-Day always brings a wonderful experiential reminder of how powerful kindness really can be when someone is tired, hurting, losing motivation or simply walking with sadness and grief. There is no substitute for a kind word and a helping hand.”

Since they have started participating together, David has also spoken at the Opening Ceremony in Melissa’s honor, and Melissa spoke at the Camp Show in 2017. They are also training walk leaders and members of the Komen Advisory Council. The 3-Day has become a part of their life and their marriage, and they encourage other couples to also participate together.

“I would say that any couple who are considering walking together should jump in. There is plenty of space for alone time and together time and time with your friends on the event. There are only upsides to walking with your partner — or even walking while a partner is on the crew. Making the 3-Day a family affair helps in every aspect of the event.”

Do you know a 3-Day couple, or are you part of one? Tell us how the 3-Day has brought you and your spouse closer in the comments!

Dynamic Duo: Father and Daughter Walking Together for a Cure

“Just one look at you,
And I know it’s gonna be…
A lovely day”

Lovely Day, Bill Withers

Katie S. and her team listened to this song every morning on the 3-Day as they got ready to walk, just like in years past. It helped her get moving and excited for the 20 miles ahead. This year though, she had extra motivation to help her take on those 60 miles. Her dad, Dave, walked with her in honor of his wife (Kate’s mother) Roxanne.

“We were a father-daughter duo named ?Our Team Rox!’ and we came together to celebrate my mom, Roxanne, who is a 20-year survivor.”

Katie has been walking the 3-Day for many years, first in San Diego, and then other cities as well. She’s already signed up for the Twin Cities 3-Day in 2018, and says that she’s “hooked” on the pink bubble.

“I’ve never felt so much love and support from a community. My dad got involved through my experience and started by crewing in Seattle 2015. We’re both committed to participating in the 3-Day (either by donating, crewing or walking) until there’s a cure. We think it’s important to support this cause and advocate for education and treatment so others don’t have to experience the devastation that comes from this diagnosis.”

The pain of a diagnosis is one Katie’s family knows all too well. There is a history of breast cancer in her family, and she has already lost a grandmother and great-aunt to the disease. That’s why her mother went in for a doctor-recommended mammogram at 39, and was unfortunately diagnosed with breast cancer. Thanks to early detection, Roxanne was able to undergo a double mastectomy and avoid radiation and chemotherapy all together. Since then, she has been cancer-free for two decades, and was there to cheer on “Our Team Rox!” as they crossed the finish line this year in Dallas/Fort Worth.

Katie explains, “It was incredibly special for [me and my dad] to walk together, but what made it even better was having my mom there to cheer us on. She’s the foundation of our family and the reason we walk, so to see her waiting for us at the finish line was an incredible moment.”

It was a moment that was years in the making! Since 2014, Katie has made it clear that she wanted her dad to walk with her. After battling arthritis and a stent in his heart, Dave worked up to walking with Katie this year. They kept each other motivated all weekend long.

“I couldn’t be prouder of him!” Katie said with a smile. “It was literally a dream come true.”

They will continue to walk and dream together for years to come, until we find a cure.

“I think that being vulnerable with others and having a shared vision of a world without breast cancer, is what brings us so close to one another.”

It’s what makes us the 3-Day family. And for Katie’s own family, it’s a vision that she gets one step closer to with each walk.

3 Reasons to Do a Walk for Breast Cancer

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There are plenty of walks and runs available for you to join every year. They all have their own appeal, and their own sense of accomplishment when you complete them, but none of them are quite like the 3-Day. You spend three full days walking a total of 60 amazing miles (even a marathon is only 26.22 miles!) with people who might start as strangers, but will end as family! Why should you sign up to walk with us in 2018? Here are three perfect reasons…

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The pre-event preparation

Because this event requires lots of steps (316,800 feet in total), our participants often do a lot of training, and fundraising with their friends and teammates. This means that before the walk even begins, you will already have bonded with your 3-Day family.

San Diego 3-Day Coach and walker, Marianne, is grateful that she gets to spend time with her team members (both new and old) before the event!

“I love the time that I spend with my team training and on-event. There is so much time to talk and really get to know each other as we spend hours walking. This opportunity would be hard to find in our busy lives otherwise, and I so appreciate having that time for months in advance of the 3-Day.”

In a consistently busy world, making time to get active, make new friends and even just set aside time for yourself, will have you feeling happier with each mile.

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The feeling of family

Walker and crew member Sharon R. says, “There are so many people there to encourage you and help you along the way. You are never alone. Once you are a part of the ?Pink Bubble’, you will know what love feels like.”

There is no better way to describe your entire 3-Day journey than that! From your first meeting with your local coach, to the final moments of the Closing Ceremony, you will feel enveloped with love and support.

Philadelphia walker and walker stalker Cathy O. echoes those feelings, saying that at her first walk she “started as part of a team of two and, by the time we got to Waltham, we were a team of thousands… because everyone was our friend!”

And who doesn’t love a few hundred new friends?

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The moment you cross the finish line

Once you finish those 60 miles, you will have such a feeling of accomplishment for all the good you have done, and all the fun you’ve had.

You will have made such an impact on Susan G. Komen’s Bold Goal: To reduce the current number of breast cancer deaths by 50% in the U.S. by 2026. Every mile makes a difference. Because, after all, it’s not about the miles themselves.

“It’s not about the miles, it’s about the family and the finding a cure. Go for it, and do the best you can do because in the end, you will not regret it,” promises walker and Safety Crew member Melissa W.

We can’t wait to see you in 2018! You can sign up now at The3Day.org

And, if you sign up by February 5^th, you can get $20 off your registration!

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