JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Hundreds of people ran through the rolling hills at TPC Sawgrass Saturday morning to help raise money for breast cancer research and survivors during the The DONNA Foundation's 16th Running of The DONNA 5K.
“Tons of excitement, so much celebrating the survivorship and beautiful course," Kristy Kirschner, a 20 year breast cancer survivor, said.
20 years ago, Kristy Kirschner wouldn’t imagine running a 5K. Her only focus then was battling breast cancer.
“I was 32, had a 16 month old baby and was told I was not going to live, but here I am today, 20 years later, and I love to share my experience and hope to other women diagnosed with this disease," Kirschner said.
She is just one of the many survivors who participated in the DONNA 5K at TPC Sawgrass. Organizers say the event was sold out and nearly 1,000 people participated both in person and virtually.
Nearly $30,000 was raised money that will go towards research but also ensuring survivors are focused on healing.
“We help families living with breast cancer meet their financial critical needs, meaning no one should have to choose, really between anything, but most importantly putting food on the table and getting the treatment they need to heal," Amanda Napolitano, executive director of the DONNA Foundation, said.
“Clinical trials saved my life, I would not be here without that money for research," Kirschner said.
This was the final race in the DONNA 2023 Fearless Series. The next event will be February’s National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer.