When Paula L. first heard about the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® she didn’t know anyone who had been affected by breast cancer. While she was always drawn to a physical challenge, the fundraising commitment felt daunting, so she filed the idea away for another time.
Years later, everything changed when Paula was diagnosed with breast cancer herself.
Triple Negative Breast Cancer
In September 2025, at age 60, Paula was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). At the time, she was in the best shape of her life and was completely shocked when she discovered a lump during a self-breast exam.
“I’ve always been very diligent about my mammograms and screenings. In fact, I was so concerned about getting breast cancer I started screening at age 35 and never missed one,” Paula said. “There was really no reason for me to get this type. With triple negative, I don’t fit the typical demographic. It was simply bad luck.”
Since her diagnosis, Paula has endured six months of chemotherapy, a lumpectomy and 23 rounds of radiation therapy. When pathology results revealed residual cancer, she learned she would need to continue treatment longer than she expected. She is currently taking oral chemotherapy pills and hopes to be done with them in November.
“TNBC is aggressive and the treatment is intense, but it has met its match,” Paula said.
Looking Ahead to the 3-Day
Determine to focus on something beyond treatment, Paula has set her sights on a new challenge: walking 60 miles at the Tampa Bay 3-Day in February 2027.
Taking on ambitious foals is nothing new for Paula, it’s a big part of who she is. To celebrate her 60th birthday before she was diagnosed, Paula and her husband traveled to Peru with their children to hike the iconic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
“I trained for six months so I could do it. It took all day. It was 11 kilometers and gained 2,500 feet in elevation,” Paula said.
That experience reinforced the connection she feels between physical challenges and personal growth. After her diagnosis, Paula knew she needed to do something like that again and the Tampa Bay 3-Day felt like the perfect goal.
“I knew that I needed something to keep my mind and body connected while I was going through my breast cancer journey,” she said. “My body has been through a lot, by my goal is to embrace all of the emotion of the 3-Day as a new walker and do the best I can.”
Although her training has been delayed while she continues treatment, Paula has built remarkable momentum as a first-time participant. Her team, Paula’s Pink Warriors, made up of her husband, three children and sister, has raised nearly $28,000 in support of the fight against breast cancer.
The team has had success through a variety of fundraising efforts including corporate matching gifts, a Super Bowl fundraiser, an event at her local gym and a social media campaign tied to TNBC Awareness Day. The fundraising commitment that once felt intimidating has become one of Paula’s greatest successes.
“Now my goal is to become a top fundraiser so let’s see if we can do it,” Paula said with a smile.
As she looks ahead to her first 3-Day in Tampa Bay, Paula is proving that even while undergoing treatment, it’s possible to move forward with purpose, passion and hope.
“Attitude is very important to get you through this life,” she said. “I have a lot of life to live, and I still have a lot to give whether that’s to my kids or to my community. That’s just the kind of person I am.”
To learn more about the 3-Day, visit the3day.org.
Statements and opinions expressed are those of the individual and do not express the views or opinions of Susan G. Komen. This information is being provided for educational purposes only and is not to be construed as medical advice. Persons with breast cancer should consult their health care provider with specific questions or concerns about their treatment.
