DONNA Foundation celebrates moms with matching gift challenge, 5K race

The DONNA Foundation recently announced a $15,000 matching gift challenge supporting fundraising efforts for its annual Celebrate Every Mom campaign. THE PLAYERS Championship and Golf Fights Cancer, whose mission is to raise funds to make tangible improvements in the cancer-care experience for patients and their families, have pledged a $15,000 matching gift for donations up to $15,000.

The campaign will conclude with the annual DONNA Mother’s Day 5K, the second event of the three-part foundation’s Fearless Series, presented by Wingard. The race, which will start and finish at Friday Musicale, will be held on Saturday, May 10.

Funds raised through the DONNA Mother’s Day 5K and the foundation’s Celebrate Every Mom Fundraising Campaign will support The DONNA Foundation’s mission to provide hope, support and financial relief to those living with breast cancer.

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.

“Our annual DONNA Mother’s Day 5K race is special for so many reasons,” said Amanda Napolitano, executive director of The DONNA Foundation. “Supporting women and moms undergoing breast cancer treatment is what we do year-round, but at this event, we get to honor them and every mom for all the hard work they do. We’re excited to bring an educational component to the program this year, thanks to our partnership UF Health. This important information about breast health can be eye opening and, we hope, lifesaving. We hope to see you all then.”

New this year, the UF Health Breast Center is bringing its popular Public Forum directed by Dr. Shahla Masood to the race day festivities. Immediately following the race, the program “What Everyone Should Know About Breast Health” will be presented over a free brunch inside Friday Musicale. Guests can choose to attend this free event by adding on to their 5K registration, or register separately through the link below.

During the 30 days leading up to Mother’s Day (April 10 through May 10), 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, walk or volunteer at the DONNA Mother’s Day 5K. Participants will enjoy the DONNA 5K route through Jacksonville’s beautiful Riverside neighborhood, starting and ending at Friday Musicale. The race begins at 8 a.m. Runners can choose to run in person or virtually their way, with time submissions open through Sunday, May 11, at 11:59 p.m.

• Attending the UF Health Public Forum “What Everyone Should Know About Breast Health.” This free informational event is open to the public, but does require advanced registration. Masood will lead a panel of expert physicians over brunch. Add attendance on to your 5K registration, or register separately.

• Supporting the “Celebrate Every Mom” matching gift challenge by making a donation in support of the programs of The DONNA Foundation, starting a fundraiser or joining an existing fundraising team. You can double the impact of your gift this month thanks to THE PLAYERS and Golf Fights Cancer match.

• Partnering with The DONNA Foundation to become a sponsor of the 2025 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.

• Celebrating all month with your participation in various events and third-party fundraisers, all dedicated to supporting The DONNA Foundation’s mission. 

Learn more about all of these ways to get involved at thedonnafoundation.org/moms/.

The DONNA Mother’s Day 5K is the second event of The DONNA Foundation’s 2025 Fearless Series, presented by Wingard, with the final event of the year, the DONNA 5K at TPC Sawgrass taking place in October.

Full details for The DONNA Foundation’s 2026 Series, including the 19th Annual DONNA Marathon Weekend, Jan. 30 to Feb. 1, 2026, will be announced later this year.