Tag Archives: The 3-Day

How to Use Social Media to Fundraise for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day

Fundraising for breast cancer through social media is an incredibly powerful method. With millions of people connecting daily on platforms like Facebook and Instagram, you can tap into these networks to raise awareness, inspire support, and meet (and hopefully exceed!) your fundraising goals. Here’s how to get started and make the most of social media’s potential.  

The Importance of Building Community Through Social Media

Beyond the technical aspects of setting up a fundraiser, social media is an invaluable tool for building a supportive and engaged community around your cause. Here’s how it helps: 

Create a Sense of Belonging 

Social media platforms allow you to connect with people who care about breast cancer awareness, whether they’re survivors, current patients, or supporters. By sharing your story, updates, and educational content, you create a sense of shared purpose that motivates people to act. When followers see others contributing, they feel a part of something bigger, which encourages more involvement. 

Offer Real-Time Updates 

Platforms like Instagram and Facebook allow for instant updates, so you can share real-time progress on your fundraising efforts. People feel more connected when they can see immediate impacts, whether it’s reaching a new milestone or hearing from someone directly impacted by the cause. 

Amplify Your Reach 

Social media allows your message to spread far beyond your immediate network. When someone donates or shares your post, their friends and followers see it too, creating a ripple effect. This amplification is invaluable, especially when working toward a fundraising goal. 

Foster Meaningful Engagement 

Through comments, messages, and shares, you can interact with your audience, answer questions, and deepen the relationship between your cause and your supporters. This dialogue not only helps raise funds but also builds long-term relationships that continue beyond the current campaign. 

The Technical Side: How to Set Up Fundraisers on Social Media

Social media platforms make it easier than ever to set up and manage fundraisers. Here’s a guide to using Facebook for your breast cancer fundraising efforts: 

Facebook Fundraisers 

Facebook has built-in fundraising tools that allow you to directly raise money for your chosen cause. Here’s how to set one up: 

Step 1: Log in at The3Day.org to go to your Participant Center. 

Step 2: Look for the big blue box that says “Raise Money Directly on Facebook” and click the link to edit your fundraiser content. As default, your Facebook fundraiser will have the same content as your personal 3-Day fundraising page, but you can customize it during this step. 

Step 3: Click “Save and Connect Fundraiser to Facebook.” 

Read our Facebook Fundraiser FAQ here. 

Instagram Fundraisers 

Though Instagram has a direct donation feature, this WILL NOT link to your 3-Day fundraising account. Instead, add your personal 3-Day fundraising link to your Instagram bio and share it via stories.  

Content Strategies

Content is the heart of your social media fundraising efforts. Whether it’s a compelling story, an eye-catching image, or an engaging video, what you share can inspire people to act. Authentic, well-crafted content helps build trust and foster emotional connections with your audience. Consider sharing personal experiences, facts about breast cancer, and updates on your progress to keep your supporters engaged. Use a mix of formats like posts, videos, Instagram Stories, and Reels to create dynamic content that raises awareness and encourages donations. The more authentic and creative your content, the better it will resonate with your audience and motivate them to contribute.   

Instagram Stories and Reels are quick, engaging ways to share your message and reach a wider audience. 

Stories 

Post frequent updates to show the progress of your fundraiser and add fun elements like polls, questions, or countdowns. You can even directly link your fundraising page on your stories through the features button on the top of the page.  

Reels 

Create short, inspiring videos explaining why breast cancer fundraising is important. These can feature personal testimonials, stats about breast cancer, or behind-the-scenes content of you organizing the fundraiser. 

Creative Ideas for Social Media Fundraising 

To make your social media breast cancer fundraiser stand out, it’s important to think creatively. Here are some ideas to help engage your followers and encourage donations: 

Personal Storytelling 

Nothing resonates more than personal stories. Whether you’re a survivor, a friend, or a family member, sharing your personal connection to breast cancer can deeply move others to donate. Use captions, videos, or Instagram Live sessions to tell your story and explain why fundraising for breast cancer is important to you. 

Host a Live Fundraising Event 

Leverage Facebook Live or Instagram Live to host a real-time event. This could be a virtual workout class, a cooking tutorial, or a Q&A with a breast cancer survivor or medical professional. During the event, remind viewers to donate using a link to your personal page and encourage them to share it with others. 

Create a Challenge 

Social media thrives on challenges! Create a breast cancer awareness challenge, like posting a pink-themed photo or doing 30 push-ups a day for a week and ask participants to donate or share the challenge to raise awareness. Use hashtags like #BreastCancerChallenge or #PinkChallenge to unify posts and grow momentum. 

Launch a “Tag and Donate” Campaign 

Encourage your followers to donate and tag three friends to do the same. This creates a fun, interactive chain effect that can multiply your reach and fundraising efforts. 

Incorporate Milestones  

Set fundraising milestones and offer rewards or incentives when they’re met. For example, promise to cook meals for a homeless shelter, dye your hair pink, or walk a certain number of miles if you hit a fundraising target. Sharing this on social media can motivate people to contribute just to see you reach that goal. 

Thank Your Donors Publicly 
Post regular updates thanking and tagging your donors. Everyone appreciates a thank you, and the public recognition will inspire the friends and followers who have not given you a donation yet to give, so they can get that recognition, too! 
 

Social media fundraising is an effective way to support breast cancer awareness and raise funds for research and patient care. By understanding the technical aspects of setting up fundraisers, fostering a sense of community, and using creative ideas to engage your audience, you can leverage the power of social media to make a meaningful impact in the fight against breast cancer. 

Get started today and inspire others to join the cause by sharing your story, connecting with your network, and spreading hope and support. 

San Diego Milestone Award Winner: Stephen Y.

Meet Stephen Y., our 2024 San Diego 3-Day Milestone Award Winner!    

Over the past 13 years, Stephen has participated in 37 Susan G. Komen 3-Day® events, raising a lifetime total of more than $152,000 and promises to walk until we find the cures. Following his wife Karen’s breast cancer diagnosis in 2005, he began participating in the Komen 3-Day as a crew member while she walked. As her disease progressed and Karen was unable to walk, Stephen stepped into her shoes, vowing to his wife that he would never miss an event.  

“Our cousin Stephen is a remarkable individual, embodying strength and resilience in the face of profound loss. He has participated in the 3-Day® since 2011 to raise funds for cancer research. He always says that he doesn’t want anyone else to suffer the pain and grief that his family did. Stephen is driven by the memory of his beloved wife, Karen, who bravely battled breast cancer. With each step, he carries her spirit, honoring her legacy and raising awareness for a cause that is deeply personal to him.  

His passion is palpable, always seen with a determined smile and a heart full of purpose as he reaches out to encourage others. He connects with fellow participants, sharing stories of love and loss, creating a supportive community. Through fundraising efforts and outreach, he spreads hope and inspires others to join the fight against cancer. His journey is not just about walking; it’s a heartfelt tribute to the love he and Karen shared along with their three children. It is a testament to his commitment to make a difference in the lives of those affected by cancer. He is a beacon of hope, reminding everyone around him of the power of love and perseverance.” —Alyse, David, Shayna, Marc, Ethan, Bella & Haley 

What was your inspiration to do your first Susan G. Komen 3-Day? 

My wife started walking when she got cancer the first time. When she got cancer the second time and could not walk, I said, “I’ll do your walk to keep the continuity going.” So that was my first walk in 2011 to keep her legacy alive while she was back in treatment, going through chemo. 

What has brought you back to the 3-Day year after year?  

There are multiple reasons in addition to my wife, but, certainly, the Pink Bubble is part of what brings me back. What my family went through and lives on a day-to-day basis is really horrible, and I really feel like nobody else should have to go through this. I have the power to do something about it, or I have the power to say somebody should do something about it. So instead of saying somebody should do something about it, I get out and do what I can. 
 
Nobody should live with this disease. It’s really horrible. And, also, what if my daughter were to get breast cancer and I wasn’t doing something about it? I can’t say I’m doing everything, because everything’s too strong of a word, but I feel like I’m doing my share, and if everybody does their share, I think we’ll get where we need to go.  

What is the secret to your 3-Day fundraising success?  

Ask everybody in sight. I keep little cards in my wallet because you never know who you’ll run into. You hand them a card, and they might or might not make a donation. It turns into a conversation, and I turn it around and say, hey, I’m doing this. Maybe you’d like to join me on a walk or make a donation. When you get a donation, great, when you don’t, oh, well. But, even if I don’t get a donation, I’ve done something to increase awareness. 

I also sell See’s Candy and I practically fund one walk with them, so selling some kind of a product is helpful. Match partners are really helpful, and I also have some very generous donors. 

What is the best advice you would give to anyone walking the 3-Day?   

You have to get past your first walk to really enjoy it, because the first time out, you’re like, “What did I get myself into?” But you need to enjoy the people you’re with. It’s about sharing stories; it’s about recognizing we’re all there for a similar reason or cause. We’re all in this fight together so it’s important to listen to what everybody else has to say.  
 
Make sure you train. I do way better when I train, and I wear sandals. It’s important to find what’s right for you. You have to walk your own walk; don’t try to walk somebody else’s walk. If you try to walk somebody else’s walk for 60 miles, you’ll be hurting.  

It’s a wonderful thing when you happen to find somebody you’re very compatible with, walking speed, style, conversationally and you guys could just go on for hours. That’s a wonderful thing that happens sometimes, but you just got to do your own walk. You got to breathe. 

What are the most important lessons you’ve learned on the 3-Day?   

I learned that we’re not all alone out there. When you or someone you love gets cancer, you feel like you’re the only one. When disaster strikes, you always feel like you’re the only person this has ever happened to. But at the 3-Day you learn that you’re not really so alone. 

What’s a fun fact about you? 

When Karen and I dated I mailed her a card every single day. It didn’t start in the very beginning, but at some given point in the relationship, we lived an hour plus apart by car, so I used to just go to the store and buy a stack of thinking of you cards or something to that effect. Because the post office is closed one day a week, she might have got two some days, none some days, but the goal was for her to get one card a day. I have a box somewhere in my house of all those cards. Every day, now, I wear a bracelet that holds Karen’s ashes and a necklace that contains a piece of jewelry I bought her in the early stages of dating. The piece that belonged to her says “It’s Magic” and, when I gave it to her, I had no idea that her late father was an amateur magician, so it was extra special to her.  

Also, I love to go water skiing. My family and I go to the lake one week a year and use the boat; I just think about how many smiles we get out of that one week. I also grew up sailing and I taught woodshop for years. 

“From my perspective as Stephen’s coach for many years, many of us can only hope to be loved and cherished as much as Stephen loves and cherishes Karen.” —Coach Staci 

We wrapped up the 2024 3-Day Season in Coastal San Diego!

We wrapped up the 2024 3-Day season in sunny San Diego! From November 15–17, the Pink Bubble returned to pink tents to camp out and walk 60, 40, or 20 miles. Together, 1,850 walkers and 340 crew members raised a total of $6.4 million for breast cancer research, community health, patient care and advocacy.  

Day 1

The 2024 San Diego 3-Day kicked off with the sun rising in Del Mar for a packed Opening Ceremony. The entire crowd let out a tremendous cheer of support when Meghan L. shared that she walks for her mom, who lost her battle with breast cancer in 2023. “The 3-Day has quickly become my favorite tradition. It is a space where I am most reminded of her.” Following, Beth B. shared her story as a survivor who walks not just for herself but to share her story and show people what it means to live beyond a cancer diagnosis. To wrap up the ceremony, Aimee and Ashley L. were accompanied by their father, Gary L., on stage as they spoke of their beautiful mother who passed away from this horrible disease in July of this year. “She was an incredible mother to us and a loving wife to our dad, Gary…. We are proud to walk these 60 miles in her memory and to raise funds to support research, clinical trials, patient care, and so much more for this generation and the next.” Gary concluded the Opening Ceremony by raising the Promise Flag in honor of everyone we walk to remember before survivors and thrivers led the way out onto the route.

As the parade of pink made its way down the coast, 3-Dayers passed through Del Mar Village, which boasted incredible community support, toward Torrey Pines where they faced a large hill, and into La Jolla Shores where sea life flourishes. From local businesses to cheerleaders and the San Diego Police Department (SDPD), walkers were fueled by cheering and snacks at nearly every corner. They also couldn’t miss the “Crazy Sign Lady” who updated her poster every few miles, all the way from 60 miles to 0.  

The second half of the route included La Jolla Cove and Children’s pool before returning to camp to enjoy the Bank of America massage chairs, trail mix, and setting up their pink tents. The SDPD hosted an impromptu dance session in the dining tent where hundreds of individuals danced the wobble with tremendous smiles on their faces! To wrap up the evening, walkers enjoyed the Bank of America Celebration of Champions, where we awarded our Top Fundraisers, Milestone Award Winner, and Crew Impact Award Winners with donations of up to $500 for their 2025 3-Day fundraising. Our National Presenting Sponsor also hosted a raffle where five randomly selected San Diego 3-Day participants won $250 toward their 2025 fundraising efforts. What a way to wrap up the evening before getting some shuteye in pink tents along the beach of Mission Bay. 

Day 2

As the sun rose, so did walkers and crew as they emerged from their pink tents to enjoy a hearty breakfast before lining up on the Mohawk Pink Carpet to embark on the route. Standing at the front of the line was Rachel B., our San Diego Ultimate Event Experience winner who accomplished her 15th 3-Day this weekend. In the eligible challenge period, Rachel humbly raised nearly $9,700, earning her first position out on the route with her team Bouncin’ Buckeyes amongst other prizes. When given the go-ahead, Rachel led walkers who flooded out of camp creating an immense sea of pink. In typical San Diego style, supporters including the SDPD cheered them on as they exited camp to enjoy a fun-filled 20 miles. 

Walkers passed through Sunset Cliffs National Park and Smiley Lagoon before heading toward South Mission Beach Boardwalk and the infamous Muscle Beach. At Pit Stop 2, walkers were greeted by a Mickey Mouse theme and a real parrot, as well as delicious snacks, hydration, and porta johns. Walkers headed over to lunch to celebrate the halfway mark where a mother and her seven-year-old daughter were offering pink ribbon face paint to walkers and crew. Before you knew it, walkers were back on their feet squeezing in a quick Wobble with the SDPD before heading back out on the route!

Walkers then passed through Memorial Mile where the photos of 100 incredible individuals who battled breast cancer stood proudly. As they made their way into camp, walkers were greeted with the famous 3-Day mac ‘n’ cheese before welcoming in the last walker, who entered the tent dancing. A hot chocolate bar, courtesy of Bank of America, opened with countless toppings including marshmallows, whipped cream, chocolate shavings, peppermint sticks, and more! With stomachs and hearts full, we enjoyed a touching Honor Ceremony which began with words from all 27 members of our Youth Corps. Tears were shed, hugs were exchanged, and we were all unified as we remembered why we walk. Everyone lit a candle to line the way to the remembrance tent before calling it a night and resting up for the final day of the San Diego 3-Day. 

Day 3

To kick off Day 3, walkers packed up their pink tents and enjoyed a delicious breakfast at camp. As they headed out on the route, walkers passed through Ocean Front Walk, Belmont Park, and Bonita Cove before passing by Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute. Shortly after, SeaWorld San Diego cheered on walkers with the help of an adorable penguin named June! They also provided walkers with water, gummy bears, holiday ornaments, and more to put a little pep in their step. Walgreens cheered on walkers as they strolled toward Old Town Viewpoint and the Little Italy Sign, and before we knew it, they were crossing the Mohawk Pink Carpet into the Closing Ceremony!

To celebrate their tremendous achievement of up to 60 miles in three days, walkers were gifted a victory t-shirt and San Diego medal courtesy of Bank of America. They got to snap a quick photo in front of the 60-Mile sign and at the Nature’s Bounty Butterfly Wings. Nature’s Bounty also offered a drawing to win a prize pack as well as a free bag stuffed with their Hair Growth vitamins and a stunning pin! Walkers grabbed a Mohawk SmartCushion to rest their feet and take in the gorgeous view of Waterfront Park while eagerly waiting for our last walker.  

The last walker entered the sea of supporters and raised the last walker flag one last time before crew members lined the way to the stage for survivors and thrivers. A collection of thousands of sneakers arose, contrasting beautifully with the waterfront scenery. Hand-in-hand, survivors and thrivers walked toward the stage prompting our Closing Ceremony. It was at this time that we discovered that, collectively, the participants of the San Diego 3-Day raised a colossal $6.4 million in the fight against breast cancer. Bubbles were released into the air and the celebration concluded with crying, hugging, and dancing as we look forward to the 2025 3-Day season.

Thank you to all who joined us this year. From walkers to crew to volunteers, your efforts push us closer to the world we dream of. A world without breast cancer. We look forward to seeing you next year!