A cancer survivor herself, Point Loma resident Diane R. Jones is participating for the 14th time in the 60-mile Susan G. Komen 3-Day fundraising walk in San Diego from Nov. 17-19.

“I’ve always wanted to do this walk,” said Jones. “I’ve lost too many friends to breast cancer.”

Jones has been walking ever since her daughter contracted breast cancer at age 25 while still living in San Diego in 2009. Jones used to travel to San Diego from New Jersey especially to do the walk before moving here in 2018.

Jones’ daughter subsequently participated in clinical trials, and, 10 years later, is on oral chemotherapy and managing her cancer while living back East.

Why does Jones walk?

“I walk because I can’t walk away,” answered Jones. “I walk because I lost two good friends to this disease in 2011. My dearest friend from high school, who my daughters considered an aunt, was diagnosed at the same time as my daughter and died in 2014.

“I walk because I meet more and more people who have been told they have breast cancer. I walk to hear the stories, to remember, to share, to create awareness. I walk because I want there to be a day when we don’t need to do these walks.”

Added Jones: “I heard one story about a guy who’s had seven different people in his family diagnosed with seven different types of breast cancer. On my first walk, I passed my daughter in the crowd with her bald head and puffy face from steroid treatments. Then I asked one of the women behind me how old she was and she said, ‘I’m 16 and I just finished treatment.’”

“The 3-Day community goes above and beyond to bring us closer to a world without breast cancer. They’re inspiring and unwavering in their commitment to Susan G. Komen and its mission, and we’re thrilled to welcome walkers to San Diego this 3-Day season,” said Paula Schneider, Komen’s president and CEO, and a breast cancer survivor.

The Susan G. Komen 3-Day is for people committed to going the distance to end breast cancer. Participants raise a minimum of $2,300 and walk an average of 20 miles a day for three consecutive days. On the way, they educate their communities about breast health and raise funds to help support breast cancer research, community health, patient care, and advocacy.

Noting it was easier when she first started, Jones admitted raising the minimum $2,300 required of participants per walk gets tougher as you go along. But she added banding together with a team of fellow walkers named “Putting Our Breast Foot Forward,” has helped with everyone sharing the purpose – and the pain.

“They adopted me and then the following year I became part of their team and I’ve been walking with them since 2012,” Jones said pointing out their team’s trademark is a boob on their right shoe.

Since 1982, Susan G. Komen has been at the forefront of leading research, public policy initiatives, global education and outreach, and providing direct patient care services to make the biggest impact against breast cancer.
For 40 years, Komen has helped reduce the breast cancer mortality rate by 42% from 1989 to 2019 (the last year for which data is available). Komen has invested nearly $1.1 billion in research and more than $2.3 billion in patient support services, including education, patient navigation, screening and diagnostic services, and financial assistance, serving millions of patients in more than 60 countries.
Concluded Jones about the 60-mile, three-day Komen walk: “There is much sadness along the route, but there is also much joy.”

SUSAN G. KOMEN’S SAN DIEGO 3-DAY EVENT

A 60-mile walk dedicated to ending breast cancer, the annual Susan G. Komen fundraiser is returning to San Diego Nov. 17-19. Hundreds of passionate participants will walk over three days, to raise money for research that brings closer the cures for breast cancer and supports people impacted by the disease today.

The 3-Day walk is a testament to the strength and commitment of breast cancer advocates, with each walker raising a minimum of $2,300 while walking 20 miles a day for three consecutive days. This powerful event has generated more than $154.7 million since its inception in San Diego, contributing to Komen’s total investment of more than $1.1 billion in research and $2.5 billion in real-time support for patients and those living with metastatic breast cancer.
Throughout the weekend, San Diego residents will have the opportunity to encourage and cheer on 3-Day participants as they journey 60 miles (an average of 48,000 steps) throughout the streets of Del Mar, La Jolla, Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach, Mission Hills, Hillcrest, and San Diego. Cheering stations, where community members can cheer for and support walkers, will be indicated along the 3-Day walking route.

OPENING CEREMONY
6:45 a.m. on Nov. 17 at Del Mar Fairgrounds – Main Lot 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd. Sunday, Nov. 19 is the Closing Ceremony at 4 p.m. – Waterfront Park 1600 Pacific Highway. For updates throughout the San Diego 3-Day weekend, follow the event on Instagram @the3day, #The3Day or #SD3Day. Additional information is available on The3Day.org.