Jen Pagani was a two-time Ironman athlete — defined by incredible physical strength and the ability to persevere through the most difficult challenges. She embodied stamina, grit, hope, passion, and unwavering commitment. In honor of her remarkable legacy, we are proud to introduce the 2026 Class of Jen’s Ironmen: Lee Kennedy, Matt Johnson, James Coleman, Kevin Yount, Meredith McGough, and Britt Boshamer Yett. We are honored to also introduce two honorary Ironmen: Jan Burnette (Jen’s mom) and Judy Pagani (Jen’s mother in law).
These dedicated champions play an invaluable role in helping The Go Jen Go Foundation grow and thrive. Through their steadfast support, countless local breast cancer patients and their families will receive critical assistance during some of life’s most difficult moments. We are deeply grateful for their commitment to our mission.
Throughout the month of October, Jen’s Ironmen will be sharing the mission of The Go Jen Go Foundation with their friends, families, colleagues, and communities, raising awareness and inspiring others to make a difference.
We invite you to join us in celebrating the 2026 Class of Jen’s Ironmen by donating in their honor. Together, we can continue Jen’s legacy of strength, hope, and support for local breast cancer patients and their families.
Reflections from our 2026 Class of Jen’s Ironmen
Britt Yett | “I thought my memories of Jen might fade overtime. But I find now 12 years after losing her, she is as present in my day today as she ever was. I find her in generosity, resilience, faith, and family.
Those were facets of her living and became essential to mine. She changed the course of my life and who I was becoming. She was and still is my why as I chart a life focused on the needs and struggles of those living amongst us in this community. Go Jen Go. Always.”
James Coleman | “I first came across Go Jen Go while researching community outreach opportunities for my job. Several people close to me have been impacted by breast cancer throughout my life including friends, family, and coworkers. I have witnessed what a heavy emotional and financial burden it can be for a family and had that reinforced by my wife’s account of losing her mother to metastatic breast cancer before we met.
After supporting the Go Jen Go Foundation over the last few years, I have seen how impactful Go Jen Go is for women battling breast cancer in our community. Advocating for Go Jen Go, assisting in fundraising efforts, and showing up at events is the best way I can imagine honoring my loved one who has been affected by breast cancer.”
Kevin Yount | “I earnestly support Go Jen Go and am proud to be in the 2026 class of Jen’s Ironmen. I also am proud to serve on the Board of Directors for Go Jen Go. I observed Jen Pagani purposely and courageously fighting her cancer for years while my wife simultaneously fought and lost her battle with cancer. I know what this struggle looks like up close.
Our Charlotte community is much better off for what Jen started while enduring chemotherapy and what it has become is truly remarkable. I hope we can grow and serve even more breast cancer patients through efforts like this. The mission of Go Jen Go is to financially support breast cancer patients which may reduce the burden of their fight, fighting is how I fondly remember Jen. Help me raise funds this October through Jen’s Ironmen!”
Lee Kennedy | Lee is participating in honor of Caroline Stafford and in loving memory of his mother-in-law, Leslie Hayes. For him, Caroline’s journey is a reminder of the strength and courage it takes to face breast cancer, while Leslie’s memory is a lasting reminder of how deeply this disease impacts not only those diagnosed, but their families and everyone who loves them. He hopes to turn his participation into an opportunity to make a difference-honoring Caroline, remembering Leslie, and helping other families who are walking a similar journey.
Matt Johnson | “Jen Pagani raced as a two-time Ironman, but her toughest race was the one against breast cancer — and she ran it with the same grit that carried her across every finish line. As a three-time Ironman myself, I know that kind of grit isn’t something you find once. It’s something you have to keep finding, mile after mile, when your body and mind are both telling you to stop. That’s the spirit Go Jen Go carries forward for patients who never signed up for their hardest race but must finish it anyway.
Being named one of Jen’s Ironmen means helping make sure they don’t have to run it alone — or lose their home while they do it. Nearly half of the financial assistance Go Jen Go provides each month goes directly to keeping families in their homes: rent and mortgage payments, covered during the months when a diagnosis makes everything else harder. That’s not a statistic to me — that’s the difference between fighting cancer from your own bed or losing your home on top of everything else.
This October, I’m raising funds to carry Jen’s spirit forward, one mile — and one family kept housed — at a time.”
Meredith McGough | Meredith has been part of the Go Jen Go Foundation from the very beginning and was a close friend and caregiver for Jen during her breast cancer journey. Over the years, Meredith has supported the foundation in various ways from helping as the foundation grew, supporting Run Jen Run and being part of our board of directors. Currently, she is vital to our Patient Assistance Program as she helps us review and process our grant applications working closely with our healthcare partners and grantees during the application process. The foundation is beyond grateful for her time, passion and dedication to carrying Jen’s legacy and supporting our mission.
