Did you know it’s less than a month til the next Breast Cancer 3-Day?
As you’re probably aware, I’ve participated in the 3-Day for quite some time. I walked in the 2004, 2005, and 2007 events here in Minneapolis; I’ve covered almost 180 miles and raised $10,000 personally for breast cancer research. The team I co-captain has raised over $75,000 in the five years it’s existed. Though it’s a big commitment, I’m regularly grateful for that day back in 2003 when I heard a 3-Day ad on the radio and thought, “Hey, that sounds impossible! I think I’ll sign up!”
Last year, my co-captain Wendy and I decided to see what the other side of the 3-Day was like. The event involves a massive all-volunteer crew who works for four straight days to make sure the walkers are safe and healthy. We especially liked the sweep van drivers we saw along the way, so we decided to sign up for that. Needless to say, we loved it. We get up before 4am, prep our van, and head out onto the route to wait for the walkers. When people are injured or can’t make it any further, we pick them up, make sure they have food and water, try our best to get them laughing, and drop them off at the next stop for medical assistance. I remember exactly how it felt to find myself about 40 miles into the walk, wanting to die. We do our best to pass on our experience to walkers who are considering giving up.
We’re usually driving for 14 hours a day, and it’s exhausting, not to mention amazing. We love it so much, in fact, that we’re going to be sweep team captains next year! The commitment scares me a little, but I’m sure it’ll be great.
So many of you have supported me and my team over the past five years. You’ve donated, you’ve been to our fundraisers, and we’ve seen you cheering us on along the way. You’re the reason we’ve been so successful, and you’re why we keep going, knowing that someday, all of this will reach its goal. In my five years with the 3-Day, I have met hundreds of cancer survivors, and I consider it my responsibility to do what I can to find a cure.
If you’d like to support me and show your continued commitment to the 3-Day, please visit my fundraising page. I appreciate it, and so does my team. I believe we can make a difference. As always, your donation is 100% tax-deductible, and the net proceeds will support the combined efforts of Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the National Philanthropic Trust (NPT) Breast Cancer Fund in their mission to fund access to care and find a cure for breast cancer. If you don’t wish to donate online, please call 800.996.3DAY. Also, please ask your employer if they will double your donation through a matching gift program!
This year’s 3-Day takes place August 21-23. I got lucky this time: it starts at Southdale, which means Matt only has to drive me a few miles in the middle of the night! As usual, the walk ends around 4pm Sunday at the capitol in St Paul. We’ll be there at the finish line, and I hope you can make it, too.
Thanks again for your support. Please let me know if you have any questions!