About Team Coconutter Strutters
Team Coconutter Strutters formed in 2006 when a few friends got together for a 'girls weekend'. They decided to walk the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3-Day, little did they know how their 60-mile journey would turn into so much more. Year after year the team continues to grow and evolve. Overall, the Michigan walk is known as their 'home event' but they have participated in events across the nation.
About the Susan G. Komen 3-Day
The Susan G. Komen 3-Day is a 60-mile walk for men and women who want to make a personal difference in the fight against breast cancer. Participants raise a minimum of $2,300 and walk an average of 20 miles a day for three consecutive days, educating tens of thousands of people about breast health with every step. Funds raised impact breast cancer research and community-based breast health and education programs.
-Kim Alder- "Nurse Nut"
MI 2014
Coconut details coming soon!
-Catherine Bouwman- "Queenie Coconut"
Chicago 2001, MI 2002, MI 2003, MI 2005, MI 2010, Chicago 2012, MI 2013, MI 2014, MI 2015
Catherine Bouwman, AKA "Queenie Coconut," is a wife (to Chris), mother of two daughters (Atalie and Ava), and a Kindergarten/Young Fives teacher. "My daughters are two little princesses, so that must make me the queen, and being a teacher, I make lots of decisions for others all day long (which is very queen-like)! I am a walking in my 5th 3-Day. Many people think I have a passion for breast cancer awareness because it gives me another excuse to dress in pink, but I will be walking to celebrate my mom, a two-time breast cancer survivor. Also, I would like our future generations to know a world without breast cancer."
-Jared Brandow- "Coconut"
Dallas/Fort Worth 2014, San Diego 2015
Coconut details coming soon!
-Char Cobb- "Marathon Coconut"
MI 2010, Atlanta 2011, Chicago 2012, MI 2013, Dallas/Fort Worth 2014, San Diego 2015
Coconut details coming soon!
-Lynne Cowell-
MI 2011
Coconut details coming soon!
-Heather Davis-"Agent Coconut"
MI 2014, San Diego 2015
Coconut details coming soon!
-Jim DeKoekkoek- "Koo Koo Coconut"
Twin Cities 2014
Coconut details coming soon!
-Vanessa DeKoekkoek- "Lead Coconut"
Boston 2007, MI 2008, MI & San Diego 2009, MI & Arizona 2010, Atlanta 2011, MI 2012, San Diego 2012, MI 2013, MI 2014, Twin Cities 2014, MI 2015 & San Diego 2015
Today I walk in memory of my Aunt Terry but when I registered for my first walk five years ago I was most interested in having a girls weekend. A good friend of mine (Iron Coconut) had done the walk and there was no question in my mind when she asked me to do it with her since breast cancer runs in my family. The event was life changing, I knew from the moment opening ceremonies began that I would put my heart and soul into this event for years to come. The 3Day has made me more aware of not only my own physical shape and health habits but for those around me as well. Raising breast cancer awareness is a goal for our team as we have grown from 3 members to double-digits in just a few years! It’s the most incredible thing to share this experience with others and watch them succeed with not only their fund raising goals but also the belief in themselves when they make it to the event. I originally thought that this event would be a good thing for me but it’s truly so much bigger than just me.
-Heidi DeYoung- "Dancing Coconuts"
MI 2005, MN 2006, Cleveland & Charlotte 2007, Chicago & MI 2008, Chicago & San Diego 2009, Chicago & MI & Arizona 2010, Atlanta 2011, San Diego 2012, San Francisco 2013, MI 2013, Twin Cities 2014, San Diego 2015
My name is Heidi, - AKA Dancing Coconuts, and I am a veteran 3 day participant. In 2004, my mom's sister was not able to attend our family reunion, after being diagnosed for a second time with breast cancer, after 10 years of being cancer free. In January of 2005 my mother who lives in Florida was diagnosed with breast cancer and I knew that I needed to do something to help, which is why I volunteered for this event. In 2006, I walked my first event in Minneapolis, and while I was traveling home, my stepmother was having the biopsy that would eventually tell her that she too had the disease. Both my mom and my step mom had double mastectomies. And just last year, another one of my mom's four sisters’ was diagnosed. Thankfully all of these women are still with us and were able to receive the treatment that was necessary for their recovery. These are just the women that I am related to that inspire me with their strength to walk and crew. So many other s have inspired me along the way as well. I reminded at the end of every walk, that "Blisters don't need chemo". I walk and dance and crew, because I can't walk away.
-Tomi Dres- "Clever Coconut"
MI 2008, MI 2009, MI 2010
I walk because I can. It's really that simple. I started walking for breast cancer with a 5K as something to do with my friends on a Saturday morning. A few years later I upgraded to the 3 Day after talking to Iron Coconut and I'm so glad that I did. Walking 60 miles in the 3 Day has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I am a 5th grade teacher. I also enjoy reading, working out, baking, travel and tv.
-Patti Eddington- "MamaNut"
MI 2002, MI 2004, MI 2008, MI 2010, MI 2013
My mother, Millie Eddington, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1963 as she and my father were in the process of adopting me. Frightened, they took a leap of faith and went ahead with their plans, providing me with an amazing childhood and the opportunity to live a full, productive, happy life. But I have always worried about other people who might not be able to push aside their fears and carry on with their dreams when they face a breast-cancer diagnosis. I walk for those people. I walk in memory of my dear mother, who passed away at age 91 in 2007 from causes unrelated to cancer. And I walk for a cancer-free future for my lovely daughter, Molly Moore, who in 2010 will walk with me for the first time.
-Laura Edwards- "Rockstar Coconut"
Arizona 2010, Atlanta 2011, Chicago 2012, MI 2013
Coconut details coming soon!
-Vicki Ellis- "Crash Coconut"
MI 2013, Twin Cities 2014, San Diego 2015
Coconut details coming soon!
-Susie Gallison- "Coconut"
MI 2013, MI 2014, MI 2015
Coconut details coming soon!
-Kim Hatten- "Big Sister Coconut"
Atlanta 2011
Coconut details coming soon!
-Lynn Hutson- "Lil' Sister Coconut"
Atlanta 2011
I am happily married to Jimmy and we have four kids (Jimmy, Jarrett, Laney and John Michael). We spend most of our time traveling to the kids sporting events and we we aren't doing that we love spending time with family and friends. This year I am a first time walker and will be walking in Atlanta. I walk for my 93 year old grandma who is an eight year breast cancer survivor. After attending many Coconutter Strutter fundraisers over the past few years, supporting my wonderful friend Julie Wagenmaker, the girls finally convinced me to join the team! I am very excited about the walk and all the life changing moments that will come with it! I am so blessed to have my big sister, Kim Hatten walking with me as a first time walker as well!
-Holly Jacobson- "Hollywood Coconut"
San Diego 2009, MI 2010, Atlanta 2011, Chicago 2012, MI 2013, Twin Cities 2014, San Diego 2015
Before my first walk in San Diego 2009, I was walking to stay fit. After my walk in San Diego, everything changed. I met so many amazing people, some of whom had breast cancer, and others who had lost someone to breast cancer. Their stories will be forever etched in my mind. I walk with hope, the hope that a cure will be found. With hope, our family and friends will get the chance to live a lifetime.
-Carley Jakrzewski- "ClariNut"
MI 2013
Coconut details coming soon!
-Terry Lafferty-
San Diego 2009, MI 2010
We miss Terry more than words can explain.
We will never forget her...
We will never forget her...
-Becky LaFrance- "Sassy Coconut"
Atlanta 2011, Chicago 2012, MI 2014
Coconut details coming soon!
-Christina Leathers- "Coconut"
MI 2014, San Diego 2015
Coconut details coming soon!
-Rachel Laycock-
MI 2011
Coconut details coming soon!
-Rose Lisk- "Cordial Coconut"
MI 2010, MI 2012
My family is my world. My husband Josh and daughter Lily are the two most precious people in my life. Luckily, breast cancer doesn't run in my family. But unfortunately other cancers do. I'm walking for three reasons: 1. So Lily doesn't ever have to worry about it. 2. If we can unlock the cause/cure to breast cancer, it'll help cure other forms too. 3. I want to prove to myself that I can do it. I've thought about this walk for a loooooong time and I finally jumped feet first into it. I'm sure with help and support from my teammates, we'll not only finish the walk, but find a cure!!!!
-Dan McGuire- "Mr. Coconut"
MI 2010, MI 2011, MI 2012
During the 2010 Michigan walk I will become the first male coconut. I am here by chance and I will walk for all of the women in my life that have battled breast cancer and for those that will battle it in the future. I have a beautiful wife, Dannon, and together we have 3 boys, Chatham, Langdon and Emerson. I run almost daily and I enjoy competing on the weekends in runs and triathlons. I have known Iron Coconut for almost a decade and together we are training partners (for everything except walking, I can't keep up with her!) We have had so many awesome adventures, I just know this will top our list!
-Dannon McGuire- "Mrs. Coconut"
MI 2011, MI 2012
Coconut details coming soon!
-Lisa Mencer- "Lilly Jo Coconut"
MI 2010, MI 2011, MI 2012
This is my first 3 day walk. I walk to honor my husband's bout with lung cancer. I walk to remember my friend who died of breast cancer. I walk to walk! I love a good challenge! I will show my high school students that one person can contribute and therefore can make a difference.
-Jim Moore- "Dr. Coconut"
MI 2013
Coconut details coming soon!
-Molly Moore- "BabyNut"
MI 2010, MI 2013, MI 2014
I'm 20 years old and Junior at Michigan State University majoring in Human Development and Family Studies. Before I was even born, my grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer. At the time, my grandparents were in the process of adopting my mother. She survived and lived until the age of 91. I volunteered for the walk with I was 12 years old and did my first walk at the age of 17. It is an amazing experience and I can't wait to be part of the 'Pink Bubble' again! The Coconutter Strutters is an amazing group of people and I am so lucky to work beside them in a fight for a cure.
-Amelia Moshier- "Iron Coconut"
MI 2006, Boston 2007, MI 2008, MI & San Diego 2009, MI & Arizona 2010, Atlanta 2011, San Diego 2012, MI 2013
I’m Iron coconut because not only will 2010 mark my 6th SGK 3-day walk, but I also compete in triathlons up to and including the Ironman level. I walk because I can, and I do it for those that cannot.
-Marci Mulligan- "Curious Coconut"
MI 2011, MI 2012, MI 2013, DC 2013, MI 2015
Coconut details coming soon!
-Katie Mulligan- "Trainer Coconut"
MI 2010, MI 2011, MI 2013
I have always been told to truly know someone you must walk a mile (or 60) in someone else’s shoes. My name is Katie Mulligan. I have a degree in Athletic Training from EMU. I hope to continue my education and get my personal training certification as well as a masters in sports management. I currently work in a fitness/rehab facility in my hometown of South Lyon, MI, where I specialize in sports specific training for athletes. I have personally worked with cancer survivors and realized that they are one of the most motivated and positive people I have ever known. I walk for all those I have known and all of those I have yet to meet
-Kristi Mulligan- "Crafty Coconut"
MI 2010, MI 2011, MI 2012, MI 2013, DC 2013, MI 2014, MI 2015
"A journey of a thousand miles (or even 60) begins with a single step," Lao-tzu. My name is Kristi and I love a good project. I am High School friends with "Lead", "Iron", "Cordial" and "Clever" Coconut. I attended a Coconutter Strutters fundraiser last year and "Lead" said I should walk in 2010. I said "Sure, Why Not!", and here I am (with my sister "Trainer" )along for the ride. I am a registered Occupational Therapist and have witnessed first hand what cancer can do to a person. I walk for my friends, family, and patients. Wish me luck, I'm gonna need it!
-Karen Pearson- "Coconut"
MI 2014
Coconut details coming soon!
-Kim Peiler- "Coconut"
MI 2012
Coconut details coming soon!
-Sherrie Peterson- "Loco Coconut"
MI 2010
Why I walk? Because she died I am aware of the possibility of "Breast Cancer". If I can help just one woman to discover the importance of self-awareness then it's not in vain. I know it's going to be a Humbling Experience, something Bigger than I've ever done. So come, take my hand and take this journey with me. DONATE TODAY...
-Dina Perez- "Mounds Coconut"
MI 2014, MI 2015
Coconut details coming soon!
-Robyn Porter- "Wing Nut"
MI 2013, Dallas/Fort Worth 2014, San Diego 2015
Coconut details coming soon!
-Maxine Przybylowicz- "Coconut"
MI 2014
Coconut details coming soon!
-Angela Rademaker- "Hazardous Coconut"
Chicago 2012, MI 2013, MI 2014
In 1991, I lost my grandma, aunt and uncle due to cancer. Just a few years later I lost more family members to not only breast cancer but lung, ovarian and prostate. As the times progress we are able to do so much more in the fight for a cure, by the time my 6 &13 year old grow up, I would like them to hear that people are dying because of old age and not cancer. Laura “Rockstar Nut” tricked me into this Crazy bunch of Coconuts but I am so glad she did. I am excited to walk, cry, fight, laugh and have blisters on this journey, simply because I can. When I am not walking with the nuts, I am a wife to my supportive husband Kevin and a taxi cab driver to my 2 children, MaKenzie and Braden. If I have time, I like to scrapbook, kayak, ride bikes and play Words with Friends. I do not have an official Coconut name but when I do, you will for sure see it on the back of my t-shirt.
-Karyn Rapundalo- "Coconut"
MI 2011
Coconut details coming soon!
-Sandy Robinson- "Country Coconut"
MI 2013, MI 2014
Coconut details coming soon!
-MaryAnn Romaine-Peterson- "E.C. Nut"
MI 2014
Coconut details coming soon!
-Lisa Smith- "Registered Nut (R.N.)"
MI 2010, MI 2011, Atlanta 2011, MI 2012, San Diego 2012, MI 2013, DC 2013, MI 2014, Twin Cities 2014, MI 2015 & Twin Cities 2015 & Seattle 2015 & Philadelphia 2015 & Atlanta 2015 & Dallas/Fort Worth 2015 & San Diego 2015
I am married to my best friend for over 28 years and have two children and two grandchildren. I became involved in the 3 Day as my grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer five years ago and has been a survivor ever since. I know that her being alive has much to do with the research that has been performed as a result of the Susan G. Komen foundation. I also lost my mother to ovarian and cervical cancer. As a registered nurse (how I came up with registered nut or R.N.), I have done a lot of research and have found that there may be a close link between the diseases. The walk started out as a challenge to myself to do this and I became hooked even before the event. Through the training walks I met Vanessa and other coconuts and was thrilled to be part of the coconutter strutter team for 2011. I still walk on another team with my sister and two other ladies, one who is a breast cancer survivor. My dream is that these cancers become no more than illness that can be treated, cured or prevented easily and that no person, family or loved one ever has to deal with the pain caused by them.
-Heidi Strasser- "Clear'ly Nuts"
Chicago 2009, MI 2010, Atlanta 2011, Chicago 2012, MI 2014, MI 2015
I walked for the first time last year because I miss my best friend. She lost her fight in 2007 at the age of 40; breast cancer took her away from her family, her friends and her students. I was so moved by the experience that I vowed to walk every year until there is a cure. When I'm not walking, fundraising, or training, I am parenting my 12-year-old son Noah. Born with challenges of his own, he is my sidekick who brings me joy and laughter every day!
-Carrie Taylor- "Cookie Coconut"
MI 2013, MI 2014, MI 2015
Coconut details coming soon!
-Julie Wagenmaker- "Kooky Coconut"
San Diego 2009, MI 2010, Atlanta 2011, San Diego 2012, San Diego 2015
My first 3Day experience was in San Diego 2009 and after a life changing weekend; I couldn't imagine not walking in 2010. I first heard about the Coconutter Strutters through our AMAZING "Lead Coconut" Vanessa. She finally convinced me to walk. I have a friend who is a Breast Cancer Survivor and that's originally why it is I walked....in honor of her! However, throughout the journey leading up to the walk in 2009 I had so many more people in my life that were diagnosed or that I had just found out had gone through Breast Cancer, and it became a huge eye opener. So many women are affected by this horrible disease and I am now going to continue to take each step of that 60 mile journey with hope that one day there will be a cure. I am married to a very supportive husband Steve and have two beautiful children Chelsi and Andrew who have also become quite the little Breast Cancer Awareness Advocates. Outside of the everyday 3Day things, I love scrapbooking, photography, camping, biking, and spending time with my family and friends!
-Windy Warren- "Cupcake Coconut"
MI 2014, MI 2015
Coconut details coming soon!
