The DONNA Foundation Launches Everywhere, Together

The DONNA Foundation announced today that DONNA Marathon Weekend and the Fearless Series, encompassing all signature DONNA events, will be presented in a virtual format through spring of 2021.

On July 1, registration will open for all DONNA events, including THE PLAYERS Donna 5K presented by Nimnicht Family of Dealerships (Oct. 24-25, 2020), DONNA Marathon Weekend (Feb. 12-14, 2021) and a new Mother’s Day Your Way event (May 8-9, 2021). Through the Foundation’s “Everywhere, Together” campaign, these experiences will be delivered through a virtual platform designed to bring the excitement of DONNA events to neighborhoods around the world. Runners can learn more and register at www.BreastCancerMarathon.com.

“This decision — like many, these days — was not made lightly,” said Amanda Napolitano, Executive Director of The DONNA Foundation. “Our events provide crucial funding for the DONNA CareLine, including direct financial support for patients and families, and groundbreaking research through our partnership with the Mayo Clinic. But more than that, DONNA finish lines represent a celebration of survivorship for those living with or impacted by breast cancer and a commitment to the health and wellness of our community. We simply cannot celebrate survivorship together in person, without the very people we are there to celebrate. But we will celebrate, Everywhere, Together.”

Since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, the DONNA CareLine has seen an increase in call volume and requests for financial assistance. Approximately 1 in 5 families served by the DONNA CareLine have reported negative impact on their finances due to COVID-19. For every $1 invested in the DONNA CareLine, $5 in debt relief is obtained for families living with breast cancer. These results have taken on even more significance for families that have experienced adverse financial impacts as a result of the coronavirus.

While runners may not complete the events together physically, Foundation leaders trust that the experience of working toward a common goal will keep runners, survivors and fundraisers tied together and closer than ever. Every individual has an impact, and the combined efforts of the DONNA Foundation’s supporters make the organization’s goal to finish breast cancer possible.

“Choosing love over fear is more than a mantra,” said Donna Deegan, founder of The DONNA Foundation. “As a mission-driven nonprofit, The DONNA Foundation has a responsibility to chart a path forward that reflects our dedication to the health of patients and families we serve, the runners who lace up with us year after year, and the communities we call home.”

The DONNA Foundation was established in June of 2003 by three-time breast cancer survivor and award-winning journalist Donna Deegan to meet the critical financial needs of the underserved living with breast cancer. Our mission is to provide financial assistance and support to individuals living with breast cancer and fund groundbreaking breast cancer research. To date, the DONNA Foundation has served nearly 14,000 families securing more than $500,000 in debt relief each year. The organization has also disbursed more than $3 million to develop and maintain the Mayo Clinic Translational Genomics Program. The organization also operates events and programs for survivorship, education and awareness. For more information, visit www.TheDONNAFoundation.org.