The 14th Annual Run Jen Run 5K & Festival was a morning full of joy, celebration, and support for our local breast cancer community. We are grateful for the amazing sponsors, partners, donors, runners, walkers, ambassadors, and volunteers that helped make this year’s race such a success.
Celebrating & Remembering Breast Cancer Survivors, Thrivers, and Fighters
We enjoyed spending time with many of our grantees and breast cancer survivors, thrivers, and fighters in Novant Health’s Hope Village. Participants were able to connect with one another, feel empowered, and witness so many come together to support them. We also held space to remember those we have lost to breast cancer.
Several grantees shared what the day meant to them:
“Being part of the Run Jen Run 5K & Festival was healing, not only physical but also mental and emotional. I felt loved and supported. I felt truly happy and I have not felt like that in a long time.” ~ Amanda, Breast Cancer Survivor, Go Jen Go Grantee
“The hope and strength of all of us is so apparent at these events. I’m so grateful to reach the finish line with my thrivers and survivors. A day of real sisterhood! These events give you a chance to meet some of the folks you have interacted with along the way. Emotional, but ever so grateful.” ~ Monica, Breast Cancer Survivor, Go Jen Go Grantee
“I always want to support others and it meant so much to me to receive support from the organization. It’s never expected but when it happens you appreciate it. I just wanted to give back and come out and join everyone that was there that day. It was also a way for me to honor my grandmother who passed away. And seeing all the other community partner resources for breast cancer survivors and thrivers was so nice.” ~ Eleanor, Breast Cancer Survivor, Go Jen Go Grantee
Speed for Need Provides Mobility for Grantees
We are grateful to Speed for Need for bringing their chairs to push survivors and thrivers who are unable to complete the race on their own. Their chairs offer accessibility and support for those facing mobility issues and side effects from treatment. Our grantees, Heather and Toshika, were able to be part of the race and lead the way for our runners and walkers!
Toshika shared, “Being part of Run Jen Run and Hope Village is an amazing way to bond with the breast cancer community, meet new people and connect with those whom I know. You are surrounded by support, love, and sisterhood. Even though I couldn’t walk or run this year, being part of the 5K through Speed for Need was truly incredible. This is an experience that makes you want to come back every year.”
Volunteer Vibes
We had an overwhelming response for our volunteer needs and are so grateful to everyone that helped with packet pick up, set up and break down, course monitors, Kid’s Zone, Hope Village, and more! This event could not be as successful without our amazing volunteers. We loved the added energy from our Cheer Squad volunteers who welcomed each and every participant back to the finish line!
“I just wanted to let you know I had a blast as a course monitor at Run Jen Run. I was stationed at Colony and Clarendon and got to cheer on every runner and walker. So many people thanked me for coming out – I wasn’t expecting that. It was so fun to see some of my running friends as they ran by. Great event, congratulations!”
– Nancy, Course Monitor Volunteer
Sponsor Shout Out
Consolidated Planning has been a sponsor of Run Jen Run since the very beginning. In our 14th year, their team surpassed 80 participants! What an amazing way to encourage employees to engage with a cause that means so much!
“THANK YOU for such a wonderful event on Saturday! You all did a fantastic job making the event special, fun, smooth, meaningful, positive, emotional, and totally awesome! It is a pleasure being part of the event each year. It just means so much!” – Brynne, Consolidated Planning
Teams Coming Together
This year, 83 groups representing Corporate, Community, and Survivor/Thriver teams met the challenge of recruiting team members, raising funds, and celebrating with us. Congratulations and thank you to our top teams!
Largest Corporate Team: Consolidated Planning
Largest Community Team: IFMA Charlotte
Largest Survivor/Thriver Team: Team April – Still Blooming
Top Fundraising Team: Coastal Bridge Advisors / Team Smiley
See our photo gallery from race day that captures the amazing morning we had at the 14th Annual Run Jen Run 5K & Festival!
