JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The DONNA Foundation kicked off Breast Cancer Awareness Month on Thursday, Oct. 1, announcing a lineup of fundraising initiatives, health events, and a matching gift challenge across Northeast Florida. The seasonal effort also marks the start of the official countdown to the 20th running of DONNA Marathon Weekend.
Founded in 2003 by Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan, the organization provides financial relief and support to individuals living with breast cancer. Since its inception, the foundation has served more than 22,000 patients and families, provided more than $7 million in financial services and debt relief through its DONNA CareLine, and donated over $3.3 million to breast cancer research.
The PLAYERS Championship and The Chartrand Family are providing a $15,000 matching gift challenge for donations made throughout October. The funds will support several upcoming initiatives, including the annual DONNA 5K at TPC Sawgrass on Oct. 10, which serves as the final event of the 2026 Fearless Series across the course’s back nine.
Amanda Napolitano, executive director of The DONNA Foundation, emphasized the need for direct financial assistance alongside public awareness. “October shines a light on breast cancer, but the people we serve live with its impact every day,” Napolitano said. “That’s why our work has always been about more than awareness. It’s about showing up with hope, support, and real financial relief when a family needs it most.
This month, we honor everyone whose life has been touched by breast cancer and invite our community to turn awareness into action.”The foundation is also launching its fifth annual DONNA 110 Mile-a-Day Challenge on Oct. 1, encouraging participants to walk one mile per day for 110 days leading up to the marathon weekend. In addition, the organization is partnering with Mayo Clinic to present a free public event, “Beyond Awareness: A Breast Health Conversation,” on Oct. 7, at First Place Sports Baymeadows.
Official training for the half marathon begins Oct. 17, through the Jeff Galloway Training Programs, using a run-walk-run method created by Olympian Galloway, who co-founded the marathon. These efforts build on the foundation’s ongoing care programs; over the past year, the DONNA CareLine served more than 900 patients, delivering $450,000 in financial services and debt relief, including $67,000 in direct financial aid.
Donna Deegan, mayor of Jacksonville and founder of the foundation, highlighted the ongoing impact on local families facing a diagnosis. “I’m so grateful for all the ways in which The Donna Foundation has shown up for families facing the hardships of a breast cancer diagnosis,” Deegan said. “Being there for those families, whether financially or with an opportunity to joyfully cross a finish line, is a great honor.”
The 20th running of DONNA Marathon Weekend is scheduled for Feb. 5–7, 2027, at the Jacksonville Beaches under the theme “Love in Motion.” The event will feature a full marathon, half marathon, 5K, DONNA Dash, and Pete’s Bar DONNA Crawl, with registration currently open online.
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