This week, we asked our Susan G. Komen 3-Day® social media community to tell us why they will be returning to the Komen 3-Day this year. Their responses ranged from encouraging to heartbreaking, from funny to inspiring, but no matter what your reason, every story reminds us all about the importance of the 3-Day® and our part in it. It is because you keep coming back, and keep fighting, that makes you More Than Pink™.
We put some of your responses into a word cloud, and all the wonderful comments can be found in the original threads on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram feeds. If you haven’t shared your reason yet, feel free to add on!
Below is a selection from some of the amazing walkers who have already told us why they’re coming back…
Sarah Hillstead: I am coming back because I have to. It’s my amazing pink family!! Without my pink family I would not be the person I am today. They have seen me at my worst times and my best times. They are my family.
Sally Poag: I walk because in 2017 I will be an 8-year survivor. I made a promise to my angels, walk I must.
Stacey Hardy: I walked the last Chicago 3-Day the year I was diagnosed. I will walk the Seattle 3-Day to celebrate as a 5-year survivor!!! My 13-year-old son hopes to be in the Youth Corps and go on this journey with me!!!
Dana B. Parker: As a two-time survivor, my desire to make a difference is greater than ever. If by walking I can spare just one woman in my lifetime I will walk. My journey will not end until a cure is found.
Sharyn Lowney Eaton: I started as a walker in 2006, later crewed Tampa and other cities, went to work for Komen as a part-time Field Coordinator for Boston, and the rest is history. My heart belongs to the Boston 3-Day and all the amazing people I’ve met in every city.
This September will be event 29 for me and I’m so excited. Who’s going to join my team, A String of Pearls, and come to Seattle!
Sandi Van Kirk: This year will be my 7th year on the medical crew. I started volunteering the year after my daughter did her first walk here in Seattle. She began walking after her mother-in-law was diagnosed with breast cancer. Suzanne passed away 6 years after her diagnosis. She fought with courage and never let breast cancer define her.
Karen Perlstein Kaplan: I’m coming back because this is something I can do to help put an end to breast cancer. I walked 5 years and have crewed for 3. I have registered to crew in two cities in 2017. The 3-Day is like a retreat—it’s a place where everyone is kind to everyone else and we are all united for one goal.
Dena M Groth-McLauchlin: I am coming back because of all the amazing friends I have made along the way. We are all members of the 3-Day family. We are all fighting to end breast cancer. We come back because we must continue this fight until everyone has a chance at a lifetime without cancer. My hope for 2017 is to form the first team in San Diego that consists of members from all 50 States. Please join Team Shenanigans!
Lynda DI Caro: November 2017 will be the 10th celebration of my involvement in the 3-Day. I continue to be involved because it not only brings awareness and the much-needed funding to help find a cure. And, equally important, it is three wonderful days of caring, support, respect and joy. We come together for many reasons and share a common goal. I hope for a day when we can gather for 3 days to rejoice because of a cure.
Vicki Bates Layne: I’m coming back for my 5th year. My mother and several friends lost their battle. And I know several who have won. Their struggle inspired me to fight as hard as they did and not give up until there is a cure. I have a team this year and hope to double my fundraising efforts.
