A Decade Later: How One Mother Honors Her Daughter by Walking the 3-Day

Joyce Laws (center) and her family at the Susan G. Komen 3-Day in San Diego.

This year marks a decade since Joyce L.’s daughter died from breast cancer. To honor her memory, Joyce will return to the Susan G. Komen 3-Day®, a place that holds bittersweet memories.

“She said to me, ‘Mom, when I get through all this, let’s do this,’” Joyce recalled. “We always planned to do a 3-Day together.”

Jennifer was just 31 when she found a lump in her breast in 2009. Around the same time, she learned she was pregnant. Her doctor advised waiting a month to monitor the lump, but a second trimester biopsy confirmed Jennifer had stage 2b lobular breast cancer. She was carrying twins, but heartbreakingly, only one would survive.

Jennifer was pregnant with twins when she was diagnosed with lobular breast cancer.

Despite the devastating news, Jennifer’s resilience kept her moving forward. Doctors removed 23 lymph nodes, 22 of which were cancerous. She had a mastectomy to remove her left breast, and later had another mastectomy to remove the other breast. She also had her ovaries removed due to her estrogen-positive diagnosis.

Through it all, Jennifer remained hopeful. She gave birth to her daughter, Maya, who was healthy and born with a full head of hair despite Jennifer undergoing chemotherapy while pregnant.

“My daughter had no hair from chemo when Maya was born, but that little girl had a head full of black hair. It just proves that the placenta takes care of the baby,” Joyce said.

After Maya’s birth, Jennifer continued chemotherapy and was ecstatic when scans showed no evidence of cancer. Jennifer returned to work as a physical therapist, traveled to India with her husband and daughter, and continued to advocate for herself and raise awareness about breast cancer. Jennifer formed a team, Warriors for Jen, and raised money for the Komen San Diego Race for The Cure® (now the San Diego MORE THAN PINK Walk®). She organized a pizza night fundraiser and comedy event that raised over $6,000.

“No matter how devastating what she was going through was, she was always looking on the bright side,” Joyce said. “She wanted to be out there and helping others.”

But in 2012, the cancer returned and metastasized (spread) to her spine. Jennifer refused to give up. She joined a clinical trial, kept her positive attitude, and enjoyed watching her little girl swim and ride her bike.

Jennifer and her daughter, Maya, swimming.

When Jennifer’s breast cancer progressed and she couldn’t walk the 3-Day, she still wanted to show up to offer her support. One of her friends walked the 3-Day and Jennifer made sure she was at the finish line to congratulate her. That inspired Joyce to take the first steps they’d planned to walk together.

“Things appeared to be a little shaky, so I decided to do it myself. I signed up as a single walker but ended up joining the Powered by Optimism team. They embodied everything Jennifer stood for,” Joyce said. “I am still on that team to this day.”

Joyce has walked in 13 events across San Diego, Boston, Chicago and Denver. She carried the “Daughter” flag in her first 3-Day walk in 2014 with Jennifer watching nearby. A few weeks after Jennifer passed away in October 2015, Joyce completed the 3-Day in San Diego.

“That was the hardest walk. But the Pink Bubble community has been part of my healing process,” Joyce said. “They’ve really been there for me.”

Now 71, Joyce continues to walk in the San Diego 3-Day and hopes to inspire the next generation to join her. Walking alongside Joyce are her son and niece, other family members, friends and her granddaughter, Maya, who is almost 16.

Maya, who has served on the Youth Corps three times, will walk her first 3-Day this year.

“I know Jennifer would be standing on the sidelines cheering for us all, especially Maya. She would be so happy to see her daughter at the 3-Day,” Joyce said.

Joyce and her granddaughter, Maya, at the Susan G. Komen 3-Day in San Diego.

In honor of Jennifer’s 10-year anniversary, Joyce is setting her fundraising goal at $10,000 – the same amount Jennifer challenged her to raise in 2015.

“I told her that was a lot, but she said, ‘You can do it mom.’” Joyce recalled. “And that year I did. I managed to raise over $10,000. So, this year, I’m doing it again, for her.”

It’s Time to Train for the 3-Day

Burt Lipshie has been a longtime training walk leader for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day.

With this year’s Susan G. Komen 3-Day® season fast approaching, it’s important to start training now. No matter if you plan to walk 20, 40 or 60 miles, preparing your body and mind is key to a successful experience.

Why Training Matters

Think of training as the foundation of your 3-Day journey. It strengthens you physically and mentally and ensures you’re ready for the up to 60-mile challenge to end breast cancer. The 3-Day events take participants through Denver, Boston, Dallas/Fort Worth and San Diego; each with unique routes, terrain and weather. While each route is carefully designed to accommodate all fitness levels, training beforehand is critical.

Start Here

One of the best ways to train is by joining one of the 3-Day training walks. Led by volunteers who are experienced participants, the training walks are a great way to build your endurance, boost your motivation and meet fellow 3-Day walkers. Burt L., a longtime training walk leader from New York, urges everyone who is registered for the 3-Day to train as much as possible.

“People have said to me, ‘I don’t need to train for the 3-Day. I do marathons, I’m in great shape,’” Burt recalled. “My response to them is that the 3-Day is different. You get up and do it again, and then you get up the next day and do it again. Training is critical because you need the miles on your legs, and you need the miles on your feet.”

Burt and his training walk group strive to meet monthly, walk 10 to 20 miles together and always end their walks with pizza. “The people in this group each walk at different 3-Day events, but we train and prepare together, and it’s a great way to look forward to the 3-Day,” he said.

Training Tips

Training looks different for everyone, so find what works best for you. Here are a few important training tips:

A great place to start your training is by checking out the 3-Day training schedules.

Schedule back-to-back training walks (it’s Day 2 and 3 that are hardest on-event).

Your feet will swell, so invest in a good pair of shoes that are a full size bigger than your usual size.

Increase your walking mileage by setting new weekly goals.

Find a training buddy. It’s easy to type in your zip code on our Training Walk Calendar and find other participants in your area.

Don’t forget to train in the shoes you plan to wear at the 3-Day!

Visit the 3-Day to connect with the 3-Day community and learn more about training.

Please note: The health, safety and training information provided to you in connection with your participation in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® is not intended to replace or be construed as medical advice and any such information is not a substitute for seeking medical advice or treatment from your medical provider. Before starting any exercise program or following any recommendations, advice or other instructions regarding training for the Komen 3-Day or any athletic event, you should first consult a physician and have physical examination.

One Last Walk Through the Mile High City

A group of women at the Denver 3-Day in 20024.

It didn’t take long for Denver to capture the hearts of the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® community.

With its breathtaking scenery, iconic route and unwavering spirit, Denver quickly became a memorable chapter in our 3-Day journey. From the moment we arrived, the Mile High City welcomed us with open arms, and together, we’ve made unforgettable memories. This year, we will be walking through those beautiful streets one final time, and we’d love to have you there.

Whether you’ve walked in Denver before or have been thinking about it, this is your last chance to experience its bustling 3-Day atmosphere. From Boulder’s hilly streets to iconic landmarks like Coors Field to the famous 40-foot blue bear at the convention center and views that stretch all the way to the Rockies, the Denver route is packed with so much that has made it an incredible host to the Pink Bubble.

So, mark your calendars for the Denver 3-Day, Aug. 1-3, and let’s make our farewell to Denver one for the books! Use code DENVER50 for 50% off registration.

Start planning now to make the most of the final Denver 3-Day experience.

Visit the 3-Day today to register for the final Denver 3-Day!