DONNA Foundation celebrates moms with matching gift challenge, 5K

The DONNA Foundation has announced a matching gift challenge supporting fundraising efforts for its annual Celebrate Every Mom campaign.

Golf Fights Cancer, whose mission is to raise funds to make tangible improvements in the cancer-care experience for patients and their families, has pledged $20,000 to match donations during the foundation’s annual spring campaign. The pinnacle event, the ICE DONNA Mother’s Day 5K, will be held on Saturday, May 11, in Jacksonville’s Riverside neighborhood.

The event will start and finish at Friday Musicale, located at 645 Oak St.

Funds raised through the ICE DONNA Mother’s Day 5K and the foundation’s Celebrate Every Mom Fundraising Campaign will support The DONNA Foundation’s mission to provide economic assistance and emotional support to individuals living with breast cancer and fund groundbreaking breast cancer research. 

Approximately one in three patients served by The DONNA Foundation are mothers with children at home. By hosting this event on the Saturday of Mother’s Day weekend, foundation leaders hope to inspire moms everywhere to take steps toward understanding, improving and protecting their breast health –– this and every year.

“Moms make the world go round, and we are so proud to honor moms everywhere through our annual DONNA Mother’s Day race,” said Amanda Napolitano, executive director of The DONNA Foundation. “Supporting moms, especially those undergoing breast cancer treatment, is a special honor and we look forward to welcoming every mom, their families, friends and supporters back to Riverside this Mother’s Day weekend. The impact we can make, thanks to our partnership with Golf Fights Cancer, is truly humbling, and we are so grateful for their ongoing support. This generous fundraising match campaign will allow us to serve even more families living with breast cancer.”

The Mother’s Day race will begin and end at Friday Musicale, starting at 8 a.m. Along the way, participants will experience the beauty of the Historic Riverside neighborhood, including the iconic architecture and gardens at the height of the spring blooming season. The DONNA Foundation also welcomes back ICE, formerly Black Knight, as the Title Sponsor of the 5K race.

“We are honored to once again sponsor the DONNA Mother’s Day 5K,” said Cheryl Kelly, DONNA Foundation board member and senior director of human resources at ICE. “Far too many of our ICE colleagues and extended family have had to face down breast cancer, and we know the toll it takes on everyone involved. Hundreds will gather to take part in the DONNA Mother’s Day 5K, and every step taken will help fund the important work of serving patients and finding a cure for this terrible disease. We couldn’t be more proud to support the DONNA Foundation in this goal.”

During the days leading up to Mother’s Day, The DONNA Foundation is celebrating moms locally and across the nation through its Celebrate Every Mom campaign. Supporters can join in this effort by:

• Registering to run or walk in the ICE DONNA Mother’s Day 5K. Runners can choose to run in person or virtually their way, with time submissions open through Sunday, May 12, at 11:59 p.m. Register at runsignup.com/donnamd5k.
• Supporting the “Celebrate Every Mom” matching gift challenge by making a donation in support of the critical programs of The DONNA Foundation, starting a fundraiser or joining an existing fundraising team. Don’t forget –– you can double the impact of your gift this month with the Golf Fights Cancer match. Give or raise funds at runsignup.com/donnamd5k/donate.
• Partnering with The DONNA Foundation to become a sponsor of the 2024 ICE DONNA Mother’s Day 5K event. Sponsor and vendor opportunities designed to maximize brand exposure locally, regionally and nationwide to a unique, and desirable demographic are available. Companies can also sponsor race registrations for employees. Learn more at runsignup.com/Race/DONNAMD5K/Page/sponsor.
• Celebrating all month with your participation in various events and third-party fundraisers, all dedicated to supporting The DONNA Foundation’s mission. Link to thedonnafoundation.org/events. 
• Making an appointment for your mammogram on the Buddy Bus. Take advantage of the Baptist MD Anderson’s Mobile mammography “Buddy Bus” –– available for mammography appointments in Athlete’s Village on race day. Learn more and book your appointment at app.smartsheet.com/b/form/12189030f2f345d38134b8ea1309dc72.

The ICE DONNA Mother’s Day 5K is the second event of The DONNA Foundation’s 2024 Fearless Series, with the final event of the year, the DONNA 5K at TPC Sawgrass, taking place in October. Registration will open later this spring.
Full details for The DONNA Foundation’s 2025 Series, including the 18th Annual DONNA Marathon Weekend (Jan. 31-Feb. 2), will be announced later this year.