DONNA Marathon Weekend

Hi friend! Thank you for taking a moment to check out my fundraising page for the Donna Foundation.

I have been such a lucky person to have found this half marathon at its inception, back in 2008, and I’m even more lucky to be able to bring the mission to you, a fully TWENTY YEARS later!

When I met my mother-in-law in 2004, she was in remission from metastatic breast cancer, of which she had been diagnosed several years prior. Cathy was one of a kind. A genuine soul with a smile that would light up not only a room, but the whole damn place. She was kind. She was funny. She was... just great. Her breast cancer came back with a vengeance in 2007 and we lost her in 2009. I started running the Donna half marathon in 2008 as something to do. Back then (in my younger days, 🤪), I was up for trying out races across the state of Florida. I ran this one and ever since then, as I have been honored to get to know the Donna Foundation and admire their mission statement and their goals. I’ve run/walked/waddled every single half. Through pregnancies, injuries, rain and wind. I will never not do this race and I will never not support the Donna Foundation. 

This year is not different. I’m working my way back from surgery and confident I’ll be on that starting line in February. 

Now for some cold, hard facts on why it would be great for you to support my fundraising: To date, The DONNA Foundation has served more than 19,500 families, securing more than $600,000 in financial services and debt relief each year. THAT is huge. Some people who are diagnosed with cancer have to face grave decisions - do I feed my family or do I use that money to treat myself? Many times, when faced with this awful reality, people selflessly choose their family and forego treatment. The organization has also disbursed over $3.3 million in support of translational genomics and immune studies to help find the cure for this awful disease. And lastly, the DONNA Foundation operates events and programs for survivorship, education and awareness including The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer. Working in non-profit myself I know that a proven track record matters. And I can say that this organization is doing so much to help the men, women and their families living with breast cancer. I hope that you would consider donating. Not only are you helping me to achieve my goal, but you are also helping SO MANY more than just me, and your donation could mean the difference in a mom making the decision to feed her family or afford her breast cancer treatment. 

Want to learn more? PLEASE reach out and ask me! I’m extremely proud to be a part of this organization and their mission: Together we will finish breast cancer. 

Love and hope, Mari