It’s that time of year again- Susan G Komen 3-Day Fundraising time! Most of you have all been on this journey with me before, and you know how important this commitment is to me. I’m excited to announce that on November 14-16th, 2025, I will step out and begin my eighteenth Susan G Komen 3-Day walk, joining hundreds of other walkers. It is hard to believe that I started this journey in 2009. In actuality though, the journey began in 1999 when my Aunt, Sheila Fincher, was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had no idea what challenges a survivor encountered, what struggles they faced, or the tremendous loss that is felt when a loved one perishes after the fight. Today, I would like to tell Aunt Sheila’s story. 

My Aunt Sheila was a beautiful lady: thoughtful, poised, courageous, a warrior. She was a Christian, a wife, and a wonderful mother of two boys. She was an English teacher, a librarian, and an animal shelter volunteer. She was loved by all. Sheila was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 40. She received a mastectomy, followed by reconstructive surgery, and chemo. She remained on tamoxifen for years and was cancer free. Then, in 2006, Sheila had a nodule to appear on an X-Ray. After several tests, scans, and a biopsy, the results came back. Her breast cancer had metastasized to her lungs. She received 4 months of chemo, then an estrogen blocking injection monthly, and a CT scan every 6 months. In 2015, her cancer had spread to her liver, lymph nodes, and bones. She began the chemo again. On October 25, 2016, Sheila’s battle ended. She went home to be with the Lord.  She fought like a warrior for 17 long years. 

Writing this letter is heart breaking… However, I am determined to keep fighting until a cure is found. I want to be an advocate for finding a cure. I want other breast cancer survivors to actually be SURVIVORS. 

The best way we can make a difference is to raise awareness and monetary support  for research, education,  and treatment. I am reaching out to you because I cannot do it without your help! I need my generous donors and supporters! I have to raise money to participate in the 3-Day walk, and I would like to reach my goal in honor of Aunt Sheila. Your donation helps Susan G. Komen 3-Day, the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to breast cancer in the world, fund these grants for a cure.  Consider this your donation that can make a difference and help save lives! (And what an awesome tax deduction!)

You can donate at the3day.org, or make an online donation in any amount that works for you. You can also call 800-996-3DAY, or donate by check with the enclosed form. Some companies even have a Matching Gifts program. Would you please consider making a $100 donation to Susan G Komen? No donation is too big or too small. 

Please support me as I commit to an incredible challenge. The Susan G. Komen 3-Day is a 60-mile walk over the course of three days. It will be hard, but it’s not as hard as breast cancer. It’s not as hard as chemo. It’s not as hard as getting bad news at your latest scan. It’s not as hard as saying goodbye. And that’s why I know I have to do this. That’s why I’m walking and why I’m raising money – to end breast cancer forever.

 Sincerely, 

Alison Herren