DONNA Marathon Weekend Returns –– In-Person and Virtually, February 4-6

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — January 18, 2022 — The 15th annual DONNA Marathon Weekend will turn up the pink in Downtown Jacksonville and the Beaches February 4-6, 2022. Now in its 15th year, the theme of the 2022 DONNA Marathon Weekend is “Together,” celebrating the return to in-person racing this year. 

“This 15th Anniversary race is special for so many reasons,” said Donna Deegan, Founder of The DONNA Foundation. “For me personally, it marks my 15th year cancer free after my third diagnosis. I will never take a day for granted, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to reunite our community behind hope and healing. We have the best supporters in racing because for so many of us, this cause hits home.”

The 26.2 with DONNA The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer is the only marathon in the country dedicated to breast cancer research and care. Race proceeds provide financial assistance and support to families living with breast cancer, and fund groundbreaking breast cancer research. The event also celebrates survivors and their caregivers, providing an opportunity to build community and honor their resilience.

While coming together to finish breast cancer is vital to the mission of The DONNA Foundation, the health and well-being of patients, race participants, survivors and their supporters is the top priority. Most DONNA Marathon Weekend events will have a virtual participation option as part of the organization’s dynamic safety plan, designed to create the safest possible environment for all participants. The safety plan outlines protocols with an emphasis on minimizing crowds, mask wearing, sanitization and social distancing for the duration of all DONNA Marathon Weekend events. The full Health & Safety plan can be found here: https://breastcancermarathon.com/health-safety-plan/

The Jacksonville Fairgrounds will be host to the DONNA Health & Wellness Expo on Friday and Saturday, along with a family fun run, 5K presented by Equitable Advisors and a new Anniversary 15K Relay presented by FIS. On Sunday, events return to the beach with the Half Marathon presented by Genentech, Marathon and 110 Ultra Marathon starting from the Seawalk Pavilion in Jacksonville Beach.

DONNA Marathon Weekend is an official event of The DONNA Foundation. To date, The DONNA Foundation has served more than 15,500 families living with breast cancer, securing around $500,000 in financial services and debt relief each year. The organization has also disbursed $3.3 million in support of translational genomics and immune studies. DONNA Marathon Weekend supports and is a signature event of the organization’s Survivorship, Education and Awareness Program.

In addition to being a Boston Qualifier, the DONNA Marathon has been selected by the Abbott World Marathon Majors as a qualifying race for the AbbottWMM Wanda Age Group World Ranking program for 2022. Through this distinction, participants in the DONNA Marathon can compete to earn ranking points to be invited to the 2022 AbottWMM Wanda Age Group Championships.

Race registration will remain open through February 6 for in-person events, and through February 28 for virtual events. For more information on the DONNA Marathon Weekend and its events, visit www.breastcancermarathon.com.

The DONNA Foundation was established in June of 2003 by three-time breast cancer survivor and award-winning journalist Donna Deegan to meet the critical financial needs of the underserved living with breast cancer. Our mission is to provide financial assistance and support to individuals living with breast cancer and fund groundbreaking breast cancer research. To date, the DONNA Foundation has served more than 15,600 families, securing more than $418,000 in financial services and debt relief in the 2020-2021 fiscal year. The organization has also disbursed $3.3 million in support of translational genomics and immune studies. The organization also operates in-person and virtual events supporting the Survivorship, Education and Awareness Program. For more information, visit www.TheDONNAFoundation.org.