Everyone attending this year’s Susan G. Komen Denver 3 Days is walking for a reason. For Colleen Cord, it’s because of the friendships she’s made with fellow walkers, finding community through two cancer diagnoses.
“It’s really like family,” said Cord, who is currently undergoing chemotherapy. “Once you meet these people, they become friends for life.”
This year, Cord is one of approximately 700 participants walking three days in Denver to raise money and awareness for breast cancer research through the nonprofit organization Susan G. Komen. On Saturday, the route passed through Boulder for the first time, giving pedestrians a chance to explore the city on foot.
Kelly Gwynn (left) and her two daughters, Paige, 10, and Maudie, 2, arrived with signs to assist pedestrians. The Susan G. Komen Walk, which raises money for breast cancer research, came to Boulder on Saturday. (Cliff Grasmick/Staff Photographer)
The Denver event is one of four Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walks being held across the United States this year. The 2023 three-day series raised more than $13 million.
This weekend’s 60-mile walk began in Denver on Friday, with participants taking a bus to Boulder on Saturday and walking through most of the city. Finishing up back in Denver on Sunday.
“This morning everyone was excited to be here to see another part of the Denver area,” said Lori Mullis, Susan G. Komen’s vice president of operations and co-organizer of this weekend’s walk. “I was doing it,” he said. “You have the mountains and you have the weather. When you walk 20 miles a day, you notice something.”
Maris knows the Komen family and has participated in several walks herself. She said it was great to see breast cancer survivors and patients from all over the world attending the event. This year’s Denver 3-day includes participants from California, New York and the Cayman Islands.
“We call it the ‘pink bubble.’ You can’t describe it, but you can feel it. It’s just a sense of community,” Maris said.
Attendees showed up in their best pink attire, from hats to tutus to pom poms. Some people walked around holding signs with the names of their loved ones. Others had photos.
Anna VanDyke, left, hugs Kathy Hines as she passes by a cheering crowd on 29th Street. (Cliff Grasmick/Staff Photographer)
The walk volunteers also didn’t shy away from their pink flair. Medical volunteer Tracy Drake donned sparkling pink earrings Saturday as she helped care for pedestrians with blisters. Ms. Drake lives in Texas and volunteers to help Susan G. Komen because her family has a strong history of breast cancer.
Boulder resident Louise Hemmel yelled encouragement to walkers as they passed the cheering section of the 29th Street Mall. Hemmel, who volunteered at last year’s Denver three-day event, previously walked through Philadelphia in memory of a friend’s mother.
“I think once you experience this energy and the great things Susan G. Komen is doing for pedestrians, you always recoil,” Hemmel said.
Colleen Cord’s walking partner on Saturday was Linda Harris. The breast cancer patient who originally inspired Harris to participate in the three days passed away after their first walk together. Even after 13 years, Harris is still going strong.
“I’ve been walking ever since,” Harris said. “It’s addictive.”
First published: September 28, 2024 at 3:54 p.m.
