The DONNA Foundation will celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month with the organization’s annual The DONNA 5K at TPC Sawgrass on Saturday, Oct. 12. Celebrating its 17th running, the annual 5K event serves as the final race in the DONNA 2024 Fearless Series, presented by Wingard Marketing & Communications.
The race will take place on the back nine of THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass, a beautiful stretch of the famous championship golf course property. As part of its philanthropic efforts, THE PLAYERS has issued a $10,000 matching gift challenge for fundraisers. To date, the foundation has raised more than $35,000.
“Making an impact in our community is one of the cornerstones of THE PLAYERS,” said Lee Smith, executive director of THE PLAYERS. “The DONNA Foundation is one of our longstanding partners, aligning with our mission to serve the Northeast Florida community by supporting nonprofits making an impact in health, wellness and sports. The DONNA Foundation continues to make strides toward a breast-cancer-free future, and we are once again honored to be a part of the solution for patients and families alike here in our backyard.”
“The 5K at TPC Sawgrass is one of our most beautiful events, where we honor survivors, patients, families and friends on a stunning stretch of the championship golf course,” said Amanda Napolitano, executive director of The DONNA Foundation. “The event not only signifies the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but it brings a sense of unity in our community, knowing we are running toward the finish line of breast cancer together. We have partnered with THE PLAYERS to produce 17 DONNA 5K events since 2009, and we can’t wait to celebrate with all of our runners and supporters this October.”
In alignment with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the foundation will kick off the following initiatives:
Returning Oct. 1, The DONNA Foundation will launch its third annual DONNA 110 Mile-a-Day Challenge. The challenge encourages participants to walk one mile per day for 110 days, finishing up just in time for the 2025 DONNA Marathon Weekend in February. Recent studies have shown that regular exercise can reduce treatment-related adverse effects, as well as cancer-specific and overall mortality in breast cancer by up to 50%. Started in 2022, the annual challenge is going strong, accumulating more than 30,000 miles walked.
On Saturday, Oct. 5, join Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan and The DONNA Foundation for a Community Shakeout Run with running clubs across the First Coast. Free and open to the public, runners will meet up at 7 a.m. at the Lemon Bar in Neptune Beach.
DONNA Marathon Weekend Training will kick off on Saturday, Oct. 26, with the Jacksonville Galloway Training Program at 1st Place Sports (Beaches location). The free kickoff event will take place at 7 a.m. for a three-mile run/walk.
The organization also released its annual impact report recently. Since its inception in 2003, The DONNA Foundation has helped 20,647 breast cancer patients and their families, provided more than $6.5 million in financial services through its DONNA CareLine, and donated more than $3.3 million to groundbreaking breast cancer research. In 2024, the DONNA CareLine program served 1,103 patients, delivering $738,001 in financial services and debt relief, with more than $54,000 in direct financial aid.
According to surveys, the financial need has continued to grow, with patients needing help with utilities, housing, transportation to treatment, food assistance and medical bill support. Approximately 62% of the individuals served last year made less than $48,000 annually –– making a breast cancer diagnosis a financial hardship in addition to the health risks. The DONNA Foundation, including its DONNA CareLine, serves to alleviate that financial burden, so individuals do not have to make a choice between putting food on the table or paying for the care they need.
While the need is great, the organization is committed to making a difference in the lives of breast cancer patients and their families across the country. To learn more or register for an upcoming event, including The DONNA 5K at TPC Sawgrass, the 110-Mile-A-Day Challenge or the 2025 DONNA Marathon Weekend, go to thedonnafoundation.org/events.
