Jacksonville Philanthropists Renew Their Fundraising Match for DONNA Marathon Weekend
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (December 21, 2017) – Jacksonville philanthropists Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver announced the renewal of the annual Weaver Challenge to raise money for The DONNA Foundation through the organization’s signature event DONNA Marathon Weekend. The annual challenge serves as a call to action for race fundraisers through a $100,000 match for $300,000 raised. DONNA Marathon Weekend will be held Feb. 9-11, 2018.
The continuation of the Weaver Challenge for the 2018 DONNA Marathon Weekend marks the seventh year of this unique gift. Since it was first issued in 2012, the Weaver Challenge has encouraged those individuals who serve as fundraisers for the annual race through a matching of funds. With the fulfillment of this match, the Weavers will have donated $700,000 to The DONNA Foundation, which in turn has generated more than $2 million for this important effort since the inception of the program.
All money procured by fundraisers and the Weavers is allocated to the programs of The DONNA Foundation. Established in 2003 by three-time breast cancer survivor and award-winning journalist Donna Deegan, the Foundation provides economic assistance and support to families living with breast cancer and funds ground breaking breast cancer research. “Finishing breast cancer will take the effort of all of us, and Wayne and I hope that this challenge will motivate even more support for this critical work,” said Delores Barr Weaver. “We want to encourage everyone to contribute to The DONNA Foundation so that together we can support those living with this terrible disease and accelerate the research that will eradicate it.”
The Weavers’ commitment to The DONNA Foundation extends beyond their extraordinary match. Each year, the Weavers join the DONNA Curb Crew on Marathon Sunday to cheer on race participants.
“There are no hearts bigger in this community that those of Wayne and Delores Weaver,” said Donna Deegan. “I’m so incredibly grateful for their continued support. They challenge all of us to dig deeper, to give more of ourselves, and in doing so to make the lives of our neighbors better. They also take the time to be on the race course every year cheering on our runners. It’s become a highlight of the day for me. True treasures.”
Individuals and teams interested in becoming a fundraiser or registering as a race participant can learn more at www.breastcancermarathon.com.
About The DONNA Foundation
The DONNA Foundation, a private non-profit organization in Northeast Florida, provides financial assistance and support nationwide to those living with breast cancer and funds groundbreaking research to finish the disease once and for all. The organization participates in a variety of community outreach initiatives, educational programs and fundraising events yearly to support its mission, including hosting the only national marathon to finish breast cancer – The DONNA. To date, the foundation has served more than 10,000 families in need and dispersed more than $5 million to fuel programs that move families from a place of fear to a place of love.
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