MN Oncology Nurse, Cancer Survivor Volunteers for Komen 3-Day Medical Crew

Minnesota Oncology nurse and breast cancer survivor Yana Reko recently volunteered as part of the Medical Crew  for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day – Twin Cities. The 3-Day is a three-day, 60-mile walk to raise funds for the fight against breast cancer.

Last month, Reko—a chemotherapy nurse at our Plymouth WestHealth location—put her medical expertise to work and joined the team of doctors, nurses, and EMT volunteers who provide medical assistance and evaluation for minor injuries for 3-Day participants. This was Reko’s 6th time participating in the 3-Day.

“It's an honor and SO much fun,” Reko says walked, the. “I walked my first year, the year before I finished nursing school.  I hadn't trained, and was pretty significantly out of shape.  Needless to say, my feet were hamburger, I almost had to get IV fluids and I was pretty miserable.  While a sweet kind nurse patched up my feet, I told her that I would never ever do this again, but I wanted to continue to be part of the 3-Day.  I also mentioned that I was a nursing student.  She told me to come back after I passed my boards... I've crewed happily ever since!”

Reko says the experience has been “a bit of a ride”, but worth it! “The people I've met, the friends, the inspiration I leave with… I get so much more than I could ever hope to give!”