Recently, my dear friend Brenda Mickiewicz Dolan received a diagnosis that changed her life forever—stage 2 invasive lobular carcinoma breast cancer. The details matter: her cancer is ER+, PR+, and HER2- in her right breast, and she faces a single mastectomy. I share these specifics not just to highlight her journey, but to remind everyone that “breast cancer” isn’t one-size-fits-all. Each diagnosis is deeply personal, and every treatment plan is uniquely tailored, reflecting the remarkable progress in breast cancer research and offering hope for millions of women who walk this road.
Just days after Brenda’s diagnosis, she faced another unimaginable loss—her father Al passed away. In my heart, I believe that, in some divine way, he needed to be closer to her, to support her as she fights this battle. It is moments like these that make us realize how precious every day is, and how much our support means to those facing the toughest challenges.
I am channeling my energy into making a difference—building awareness, volunteering, and raising critical funds in hopes that one day, we won’t need to receive these devastating phone calls. The DONNA Marathon Weekend is coming up January 30 – February 1, and I am all in for Brenda! I’ll be running (let’s be honest, walking) the 5k on Saturday, January 31, and volunteering at the FIS water station all day Sunday, February 1. Every step, every hour, every dollar raised is for her—and for every person battling breast cancer.
Until that weekend, I am committed to raising as much as I can for The DONNA Foundation, an organization that directly supports patients and advances research. If you feel moved to support Brenda, please donate. Your generosity gives hope, funds life-saving treatment, and honors the courage of people like Brenda. Cheer me on as I hobble through my 5k, or stop by the FIS volunteer tent to encourage the Marathon runners. Together, we can turn pain into purpose, and heartbreak into hope.
On behalf of Brenda and everyone fighting this disease, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your support truly matters—let’s kick cancer’s @ss and make a difference, together.
Offline Payment Instructions
Please follow these steps to apply an offline gift, such as cash or check, to your personal or team fundraising page:
Email donor and gift details to fundraising@thedonnafoundation.org . Include the donor's first name, last name, gift amount, and where to apply the gift (to your individual fundraising page or team fundraising page). If a company makes a gift, please include the company name. Mail the gift to The DONNA Foundation with your name and contact information. It's important to identify your fundraiser name or team name to ensure your fundraiser is credited properly. Using the details above, The DONNA Foundation will apply the offline gift to your fundraiser. Please allow ten (10) business days to apply the funds. Tip: encourage donors to contribute to your personal or team peer to peer fundraising page. If a donor accidentally makes a gift to The DONNA Foundation through another Foundation donation page on your behalf, ask the donor to send gift confirmation details to fundraising@thedonnafoundation.org .
Mailing Address: The DONNA Foundation, 1015 Atlantic Boulevard #58, Atlantic Beach, FL 32233For questions, email: fundraising@thedonnafoundation.org IRS number: 26-2736601
