About 26.2 with Donna
26.2 with Donna The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer is the only U.S. marathon dedicated solely to raising funds to end breast cancer.
Our mission is to passionately produce world class running events to raise funds for ground breaking breast cancer research and empower women living with breast cancer.
The Fifth Annual 26.2 with Donna The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer will be held on February 12, 2012.
Celebrating 5 Years with 26.2 with Donna
The 5th Annual 26.2 with Donna is expected to draw more than 10,000 registered runners from all 50 states and more than 20 countries worldwide. The events include a marathon, half marathon and 5-person marathon relay, a two-day Health & Fitness Expo presented by Eisai, Pasta Dinner plus, a 5K and Family Fun Run presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors.
Since its inaugural year in 2008, 26.2 with Donna has contributed more than $2 million to its beneficiaries. Seventy percent (70%) of proceeds go to the Mayo Clinic for bench top breast cancer research—thirty percent (30%) go to The Donna Foundation to assist breast cancer patients and families with critical financial needs. The Donna Foundation has served more than 5,000 individuals with breast cancer.
With the initial contributions from 26.2 with Donna, Mayo Clinic has established the Breast Cancer Translational Genomics Program. These researchers, under the direction of Dr. Edith Perez, have identified and experimentally validated 56 gene mutations that have never been identified in the setting of breast cancer. The team now intends to apply the technology to determine the impact of these genomic discoveries related to patients and their outcome. According to the team, one of the great benefits of the program so far is it has created one of the first templates for translating all of the information that is each patient’s genome—2 terabytes of data, or enough information to fill a standard academic research library—into meaningful clues that will help individualize all aspects of breast cancer care, including diagnosis, prognosis and treatment.
Beneficiaries: The Donna Foundation and Mayo Clinic
Proceeds from the breast cancer marathon will go directly to The Donna Foundation, a charitable organization dedicated to helping women with breast cancer. Since the inaugural year of 26.2 with Donna, The Donna Foundation has more than doubled the number of supported men and women to 3,000.
While a portion of the proceeds will be used by The Donna Foundation for the critical care of breast cancer survivors in need, the foundation has pledged to donate the majority of funds raised to Mayo Clinic for bench top research and its Multidisciplinary Breast Clinic, which specializes in the detection and treatment of breast cancer.
Donna Deegan: Founder and Event Chairman
A three-time breast cancer survivor, Donna has a huge following as an evening news anchor for Gannett Broadcasting’s NBC and ABC affiliates in Jacksonville, Fla. She founded The Donna Foundation, which funds the critical needs of underserved women with breast cancer, and the "26.2 with Donna" program. She is an avid marathon runner, completing several after her cancer diagnosis.
Jeff Galloway: Event Training Director
U.S. Olympian Jeff Galloway has directed more than 100 races, including the Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta. Jeff was co-founder and co-director of the first Avon International Women’s Marathon. His monthly column appears in Runner’s World Magazine, and he has authored several best-selling running and fitness books. Through programs and seminars, he has coached hundreds of thousands to their goals.
Dr. Edith Perez: Mayo Clinic Multidisciplinary Breast Clinic Director
Dr. Edith Perez is recognized as one of the top breast cancer researchers in the world. She led a clinical trial which, last year, produced what is arguably the most significant breakthrough in breast cancer research in 30 years: a 52-percent decrease in the recurrence of HER-2 positive invasive breast cancer in patients who received trastuzumab (Herceptin) and chemotherapy vs. chemotherapy alone. Her latest research includes incorporation of new therapies and identifying genetic markers to find the best treatment for each patient.
A Beautiful Course, Including Jacksonville Beach
Located near the beach, runners and walkers will enjoy beautiful views of the intracoastal waterway and tidal marshland, and meander through the unique beach communities of Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach and Atlantic Beach. Weather permitting, a 2.5-mile section will be run on the hard-packed sand of this Florida coastline.
Jacksonville: Warm People, Cool Temperatures
Jacksonville and the governments of the cities on the route are solidly behind this event. Runners will find affordable hotels and restaurants, beautiful recreational areas, a variety of activities for non-runners and relaxation at the beach.
The fifth annual race date is February 12, 2012. This is traditionally a time for ideal running weather in north Florida. Here are some comparative temperatures in other marathon cities, on their race weekends:
Jacksonville in mid February: 45 low/ 68 high
Miami: 60 low/77 high.
New York City Marathon: 47 low/ 60 high
Chicago Marathon: 44 low/ 65 high
Mayo Clinic Research
Mayo Clinic’s partnership in this endeavor cannot be understated. Known internationally, Mayo Clinic’s commitment to research extends throughout its three locations in Jacksonville, Fla., Rochester, Minn., and Scottsdale/Phoenix, Ariz. This research provides options for innovative treatments – not only for Mayo Clinic patients, but all individuals.
"After almost 50 years of running, organizing events and training runners for marathons, I’ve not seen a cause as powerful as that of fighting and ending breast cancer." - Jeff Galloway
“This marathon is dedicated solely to ending breast cancer in our lifetime and to caring for those who are living with the disease right now.” - Donna Deegan
Sponsors Benefit From Charity Association
Because of the 501(c)(3) status of The 26.2 with Donna Foundation, sponsorship dollars are largely tax deductible as are race entrance fees.
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