Common First-Time Walker Worries … Debunked!

Two women showing their "This is my first 3-day" button in 2024.

Whether you’re already registered or are thinking about joining your very first Susan G. Komen 3-Day®, welcome to the Pink Bubble!

Signing up is a big commitment, and we’re sure that you have a lot of questions, worries and maybe even second thoughts. Regardless of what’s going through your head, we’re here to support you from the day you register to the memorable moment you step across that finish line. We like to say that the support we offer matches the commitment you’re making!

Remember, everyone who’s ever walked the 3-Day started exactly where you are right now—full of questions and anticipating an event that is unlike anything else you’ve experienced. There’s a reason why so many walkers come back year after year, and we’re excited for you to be a part of it.

To help manage your expectations and quell any lingering anxieties, we’ve debunked some common first-time walker concerns so that you can strut into the Pink Bubble with confidence!

“60 miles is way too far for me to walk.”

We get it, 60 miles is a lot, and it is hard … but, as you’ll hear a lot on the 3-Day, it’s not as hard as breast cancer.

You’ll be surprised by how far you can push yourself when you set your mind to it and are surrounded by like-minded people who encourage you every step of the way. It’s a big challenge, and because of that, it will inspire your donors to give big when they support you.

Participants of all ages and fitness backgrounds have been able to train for and successfully complete all 60 miles. But if you can’t walk all 60 miles, that’s OK, too! There are support vehicles (we call them sweep vans) along the route that will take you to the next stop if you need a break. How ever many miles you complete at the end of the day, you’ve raised the money and are helping end breast cancer!

If you’re still unsure, we offer 1, 2 and 3-Day walker options, allowing you some peace of mind if you want to dip your toe into the Pink Bubble before fully diving in.

A woman walking her first Susan G. Komen 3-Day in 2023.

“I don’t think I can meet the fundraising requirements.”

Fundraising for the first time may seem overwhelming, but we’re here to help! Your 3-Day coaches are your main point of contact for anything fundraising related and will help you every step of the way.

From goal-setting techniques to tips on reaching out to donors, we have plenty of resources to help you get where you need to be. All coaches have been (or currently are!) 3-Day walkers and can give you first-hand advice from what they’ve heard from the thousands of walkers we’ve supported.

Additionally, our city-specific Facebook groups are another great tool to connect with other walkers for fundraising advice. Get creative, ask everyone and never give up. You’ll hit your goals before you know it!

“I don’t even know how to get started with training.”

Much like fundraising, training may seem daunting at first. Our recommendation? Use our 24 or 16-week training plans and take it one step at a time.

Remember, the 3-Day is not a race, so your training shouldn’t be either. Start slow and follow the plan and you’ll slowly build up until you’re racking up miles you never thought were possible. For more tips on training, reach out to your coach, find a training walk near you and go at your own pace.

“I’m not very athletic.”

That’s OK! You’ll be in great company; at the 3-Day, everyone is welcome and encouraged to join. From avid walkers to those with physical limitations, every participant is given what they need to succeed. Simply show up exactly as you are, and we will do this together.

“Nobody will sign up with me.”

The 3-Day happily welcomes solo walkers, and we promise you’ll never feel alone. The Pink Bubble is a community of people who are all on the same team, walking together to find the cures.

Though you may arrive alone, you’ll leave part of something greater than you ever thought imaginable. Furthermore, your coach can help you find a team to join.

A button that says "This is my First 3-Day"

“I’ve never been affected by breast cancer.”

You certainly don’t need to have been directly affected by breast cancer to help find the cures. Whether we realize it or not, we’re all affected by this disease in some way, and the funds we raise at the 3-Day help to advance all forms of cancer research. Everyone is welcome at the 3-Day, and the Pink Bubble is waiting for you with open arms.

Do you have any other questions or concerns? Reach out to your 3-Day coach via Facebook or email and ask away. We look forward to helping you in any way we can.

We hope to see you at the 3-Day soon! Visit the 3-Day to register and learn more.

How the MORE THAN PINK Walk Led Me to the 3-Day

Nisha Jaime and her team, The Fight Club, at the MORE THAN PINK Walk in Los Angeles October 2023.

When I was diagnosed with HER2-positive invasive ductal carcinoma in 2022, I couldn’t help but cry—a lot. At 42, I was a busy mama of three, including twin boys, age 7, and a 4-year-old little girl recovering from her third open-heart surgery. The shock and sadness were overwhelming, but once I started to process my diagnosis I turned to social media for support. I wanted to find others who had been through what I was about to face, and who I could draw strength from. That’s when I found Susan G. Komen®.

Through social media posts, I found information about Komen’s MORE THAN PINK Walk® in Los Angeles, happening that fall, just months after my diagnosis. I remember telling myself: “Once I get better, I am going to do it.” And that’s exactly what I did.

The following year, I signed up, recruited a team of more than 50 members (made up of my family and closest friends) and we raised more than $5,100. The walk was inspiring and beautiful. But when it ended, I wished it could have been longer. I felt like there was more to experience, more to give. I felt such a connection with the Komen community, that I wanted to do more. I signed up for the MORE THAN PINK Walk again last year as a participant and a volunteer. It was as rewarding as my first walk, but again I wanted more time to meet more people and hear more inspiring stories of hope and resilience.

Then, last fall, I found out about the Susan G. Komen 3-Day®. I saw posts from participants on social media who walked the 60-mile journey, and I found their online videos of the Pink Bubble to be so full of support and strength. I was inspired. I knew right away that the 3-Day was exactly what I had been searching for. The 3-Day would give me more time with others who understand this journey, and it would give me an opportunity to do my part in helping end breast cancer.

So, this year, I signed up for the San Diego 3-Day. My fundraising and training are just getting started, but I’m committed. I currently walk two miles a day and I’ve been sharing my story on social media to help me reach my fundraising goal. I also have plans to host some garage sales in the spring and a lemonade stand with my children to get closer to my goal while spending time with my family.

While I plan to walk the entire 60 miles, I will be giving myself some grace at the 3-Day. I’m in my first year of survivorship and for me, every step is a win. I am so excited to experience the Pink Bubble firsthand and meet more survivors like me. The fear that comes after a breast cancer diagnosis has been overwhelming at times, but I know the 3-Day will be a safe, supportive space and I can’t wait for November to be here so I can head out to San Diego.

A lot of my friends have asked me why I want to take on such a big challenge so soon after being diagnosed. This is what I tell them: “I want to remind myself of everything I have overcome with chemotherapy, surgeries and radiation. I want to honor my loved ones I have lost to breast cancer. And I want to do whatever I can to help minimize the impact of breast cancer.”

And then, I invite them to join me at the 3-Day.

Whether you walk, volunteer or donate, I hope you’ll join me too.

Visit the 3-Day to register and learn more.

Cold Weather Fundraising Tips

A participant at the San Diego 3-Day

With the colder months upon us, there are still a lot of ways to fundraise for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® event without leaving the comfort of your home! Whether you’re hosting a movie night with family and friends or sharing a fundraising update via email or social media while you’re cozied up on your couch, your efforts will make an impact.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Birthday: In lieu of a gift for your birthday, ask your friends and family on Facebook to make a donation to your 3-Day fundraising efforts.

Email Chain: Ask everyone to forward your fundraising email to 10 more people!

Profile Photos: Change your Facebook profile or cover photo to a 3-Day image. Get one at The3Day.org/Logos or pull it from our 3-Day Facebook page. Then ask for donations in your status updates!

Facebook App: Boost your fundraising efforts and promote your participation in the 3-Day by fundraising with Facebook. Add the 3-Day Facebook app to your Facebook page and use it to post regularly. Your posts will automatically include a link directly to your fundraising page.

Corporate Matching: Ask your company if they have a Corporate Matching Program and take advantage of that if you can. Search our database to see if your company offers a matching gifts program. Many of your donors may also work for companies that have a program like this, so their donation could double simply by filling out a form from their human resources department and following the steps to submit a matching gift. Remind them to check with their company as well!

Corporate Sponsor Shirt: Identify one corporate sponsor that you can ask for a large donation. Offer to wear their shirt for advertising while training and on the event.

Winter Movie Night: Organize a movie night with your favorite and encourage attendees to bring their coziest blankets and pajamas. Sell tickets for entry and offer concessions like popcorn, hot cocoa and other snacks.

Ask your neighbors: Write a note to all of the neighbors on your block or in your apartment building to ask for donations. Include an update on your training and fundraising progress.

We hope these fundraising ideas help you reach your goal! Stay motivated, and remember, every donation brings us one step closer to a world without breast cancer.

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