For years, Stephanie C. has lived by a simple motto: “If you can, you should.”
Since joining the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® in 2006, she has worked tirelessly to put those words into action year after year. Through her dedication, passion and the support of her community, Stephanie recently surpassed an incredible milestone: raising more than $500,000 to support the fight to end breast cancer.
Her 3-Day journey began when a coworker invited her to participate in the Philadelphia 3-Day. At the time, Stephanie didn’t know anyone impacted by breast cancer and didn’t know anything about the event itself.
“I’m always open to trying new things and new opportunities, and my perspective is if you don’t like it, then never do it again,” Stephanie said.
She gave it a try and never looked back. The moment that solidified her commitment to the 3-Day came during her first Closing Ceremony 21 years ago.
“I didn’t know what to expect. I didn’t know all the survivors would walk into the stadium and we’d all take our shoes off and hold them up,” Stephanie said, wiping tears from her eyes.
That moment left a lasting impression on her.
“Seeing that community of so many people that are out there walking, even though they’ve had such a terrible disease,” Stephanie said. “I believe we have a responsibility — if we can, we should.”
As the years went on, Stephanie’s connection to the 3-Day became even more personal when her aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer. They walked together at the Tampa Bay 3-Day in 2010. And later, Stephanie began traveling to different events with her sister in in Phoenix, Minnesota and Boston, and her daughter in San Diego.
Driving Fundraising Success
By her third year participating in the 3-Day, Stephanie was looking for a new way to fundraise.
“I said to my husband, ‘We need to find a better way to raise money for this cause,’” Stephanie said.
Together, they came up with an idea that would ultimately become the foundation of her fundraising success: the Tulips for Tatas Golf Outing held in Pennsylvania.
Over the years, the golf event gained momentum. In its first year, it raised $13,000. It has since grown into a highly anticipated event supported by friends, family, colleagues and local businesses. Last year, at the 15th annual Tulips for Tatas Golf Outing, Stephanie raised $78,000 and welcomed more than 100 participants.
Stephanie credits much of the outing’s success to the relationships she built throughout her corporate career as a human resources executive for Wawa, a chain of over 1,200 convenience stores.
“They’re not doing this for me; they’re doing it for breast cancer and because I’ve made them feel individually special about what their contribution to this cause means,” Stephanie said. “That’s why this golf outing has been so special and so successful.”
While raising $500,000 is a remarkable achievement, Stephanie said her motivation has never been about reaching a particular dollar amount. Instead, it’s about supporting the breast cancer community.
“In 2022, one of my best friends was diagnosed with breast cancer,” Stephanie said. “So, you never really know who you’re fundraising for and who might need you to do this.”
Fundraising Tips for Success
When asked about the recipe for her fundraising success, Stephanie’s advice to fellow 3-Day fundraisers is simple: share your story, explain your “why” and don’t be afraid to ask for support.
“You’d be surprised how many people are afraid to take that step to say, ‘Hi, I’m walking in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day,’” Stephanie said. “Start there. Craft an email and reach out to everyone you know.”
Stephanie said finding a way to connect her fundraising to an event made all the difference.
“I found a way to raise money by doing a golf event that spoke to people,” she said. “And people would say, ‘I don’t know anything about running a golf outing,’ and I’d tell them, ‘Neither did I.’ Find a niche, do an event, bring a lot of people together.”
For Stephanie, the key has always been leaning on her community.
“There’s nothing better than tapping into everyone you know and asking them to spread the word,” she said.
Now 63, Stephanie recently retired and plans to continue participating in the 3-Day as long as she is able. This week, she hosted her annual golf tournament, continuing her tradition that has become central to her 3-Day journey. She is looking forward to walking the San Diego 3-Day in November. However, after breaking her ankle last year, she is considering transitioning into a volunteer role in the future, though the golf outing will continue.
To learn more about the 3-Day visit the3day.org
