DONNA Foundation holds first in-person race in more than a year

PLAYERS DONNA 5K Runners celebrate their fight against breast cancer.

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Runners are seen at the starting line for THE PLAYERS DONNA 5K.

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Race participants want others to know they are “Noc’n Out Breast Cancer.”

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THE PLAYERS DONNA 5K attracted a large group of runners.

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Journalist Donna Deegan established THE PLAYERS DONNA 5K in 2003.

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Body20 was among those represented at THE PLAYERS DONNA 5K.

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Runners show their support for breast cancer awareness at THE PLAYERS DONNA 5K.

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Runners gather at THE PLAYERS DONNA 5K.

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Journalist Donna Deegan addresses runners at THE PLAYERS DONNA 5K.

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Runners gather for a photo at THE PLAYERS DONNA 5K.

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Longtime TV weatherman Tim Deegan was among those who turned out for THE PLAYERS DONNA 5K.

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Posted Thursday, October 14, 2021 12:00 am

The DONNA Foundation held its first in-person race since February 2020 on Oct. 2. THE PLAYERS DONNA 5K, presented by Nimnicht Family of Dealerships, took place at THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass.

The event drew more than 750 participants to kick off Breast Cancer Awareness Month and celebrate survivorship.

Funds raised through the race support The DONNA Foundation’s mission to provide financial assistance and support to those living with breast cancer and fund groundbreaking breast cancer research.

This was the foundation’s 15^th run in partnership with THE PLAYERS Championship and the first event in the DONNA 2021-22 Fearless Series.

The campaign theme for the series is “Together,” in recognition of how gathering in community fosters strength and support in overcoming breast cancer and in gratitude for the chance to safely connect in-person, as well as virtually.

Due to the pandemic, the 2020 series was delivered through a virtual platform and centered around the theme “Everywhere, Together.” The foundation hosted a series of virtual races and events that brought more than 4,000 people together from nine countries and all 50 states to empower survivorship “everywhere, together.”

Over the past year, the foundation served 1,521 breast cancer patients and their families with critical support, delivering $419,000 in financial services. This was a 41% increase in the number of families served over 2020.

The foundation also granted $25,000 to the Mayo Clinic Breast Cancer Translational Genomics Program.

To date, the foundation has disbursed $3.3 million in funds to this research.

The DONNA Foundation was established in 2003 by breast-cancer survivor and journalist Donna Deegan to provide financial assistance and support to those living with breast cancer and to fund research.

To date, it has served more than 1,500 families.

Results of the 5K will be posted online. Awards will be available for pick-up from DONNA Headquarters, 11762 Marco Beach Drive, Suite 6, Jacksonville.

For more information, go to TheDONNAFoundation.org.