About 26.2 with Donna
26.2 with Donna is a private non-profit organization in Northeast Florida producing the only marathon in the U.S. dedicated solely to raising funds to end breast cancer. One hundred percent of raised funds and race proceeds for all 26.2 with Donna events go to breast cancer research and care.
The 6th Annual 26.2 with Donna will be held February 17, 2013 and is expected to draw 12,000 registered runners from all 50 states and more than 20 countries worldwide.
Since its inaugural year in 2008, 26.2 with Donna has contributed more than $3 million to its beneficiaries.Seventy percent (70%) of proceeds go to the Mayo Clinic for bench top breast cancer research. Thirty percent (30%) of proceeds go to The Donna Foundation to help breast cancer patients with critical financial needs.
The Donna Foundation
Donna Deegan, three-time breast cancer survivor and founder of 26.2 with Donna, also founded The Donna Foundation, a nonprofit organization formed to raise money exclusively for those on the First Coast living with breast cancer.
The Foundation provides temporary assistance for women and men who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. In partnership with Catholic Charities, the largest social services organization in the area, recipients are screened to ensure proper stewardship of contributions. The ultimate goal of The Donna Foundation is to fund a program that focuses on early intervention, and provides regular screenings and diagnostics for women who could otherwise not afford such services.
Since its inception in June of 2003, The Donna Foundation has been successful in assisting over 5,000 local women and raising over $1.5 million. In addition, the Foundation has been successful in obtaining agreements with vendors to supply chemotherapy drugs, Lymphadema treatments and supplies, medical services, prescriptions, and even wigs at a discounted rate.
Mayo Clinic
With more than $1.2 million in contributions from 26.2 with Donna, Mayo Clinic has established the Breast Cancer Translational Genomics Program. Under the direction of Dr. Edith Perez, M.D., Mayo researchers are working hard to finish breast cancer.
The team has created one of the first templates for translating each patient’s genome information into meaningful clues that will help individualize all aspects of breast cancer care including diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment.
To date, the team has identified and experimentally validated 56 gene mutations that have never been identified in the setting of breast cancer. And as reported in the April 15, 2012 issue of Cancer Research, Mayo researchers have just discovered a new class of molecular mutation in various forms of breast cancer, a finding that may shed new light on development and growth of different types of breast tumors. Called fusion transcripts, the mutated forms of RNA may also provide a way to identify tumor subtypes and offer new strategies to treat them. This study is the first to systematically search for fusion genes and fusion transcripts linked to different types of breast tumors.
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, With a New Start in 2013
Runners and walkers will start the race, with FREE parking, at ATP Blvd. in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL., and enjoy a route through four beautiful beach communities on historic coastal A1A, over the Intracoastal Waterway Bridge (just once!) on Butler Blvd., and finish at Mayo Clinic. Learn more about the course
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 sixth annual race date is February 17, 2013. 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.
