JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The DONNA Foundation will host a free public event on Wednesday, Aug. 26, to launch the 20th running of DONNA Marathon Weekend. The kickoff gathering will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Pete’s Bar in Neptune Beach.
The event marks the start of marathon season with a two-mile run beginning and ending at Pete’s Bar. Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan, who founded the foundation, will participate in the run alongside other race co-founders. An afterparty will follow the run, emceed by breast cancer survivor and race announcer Fitz Koehler.
Over its 20-year history, The DONNA Foundation has served more than 22,000 families living with breast cancer. The organization has secured more than $7 million in financial services and debt relief while investing over $3.3 million in breast cancer research.
More than 300,000 athletes have crossed DONNA race finish lines over the past two decades. Proceeds raised from the marathon weekend support financial relief and assistance for individuals diagnosed with breast cancer both locally in Jacksonville and across the United States.
The kickoff event at Pete’s Bar will feature foundation merchandise, themed cocktails and photo opportunities. The Jaguars Foundation is sponsoring a one-day-only registration discount for 2027 DONNA Marathon Weekend events, available to local attendees during the event.
Key organizational figures attending the event include Executive Director Amanda Napolitano and race founder Dr. Edith Perez, alongside Deegan and Koehler.
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