Inaugural Expect Miracles (Social) Distance Challenge
Monday, June 15 - June 28, 2020
Earlier this summer, nearly 400 individuals came together to go the distance in the fight against cancer by participating in Expect Miracles Foundation’s first-ever virtual fundraiser. Financial executives, new and longtime supporters, friends, and family members, ranging from preschoolers to grandparents, walked, biked, and ran a total of 10,453 miles -- the equivalent of traveling from Boston, MA to Melbourne, Australia! Even more impressively, they raised an incredible $282,858 for our research and financial assistance programs.
The current pandemic has impacted us all in a profound way. It has also made fundraising more challenging as we, like all nonprofits, have had to make the difficult decision to postpone or cancel our in-person events. However, the need within the cancer community is greater than ever, and the funds raised through the Expect Miracles (Social) Distance Challenge will be used to support innovative cancer research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, as well as financial assistance for young adult survivors through Samfund grants.
With support led by Foundation Sponsor BNY Mellon, participants joined the Biking Challenge, Running/Walking Challenge, and/or a Virtual Road Race. Members could choose to join a team or compete individually, then set competitive mileage and fundraising goals. We are especially grateful for the leadership of each team captain, who recruited and motivated their team members throughout the events. We would like to extend special thanks to Jeff Duckworth, the captain of Team Six Pack, which raised an incredible $82,105! When asked what this challenge meant to him and why he and his team were so committed to its success, he explained:
Both the Biking and the Running/Walking Challenges concluded with a virtual awards ceremony, during which we not only recognized and celebrated the winners in each category (listed below), but also heard from individuals whose lives have been directly impacted by the work of Expect Miracles Foundation. Their words were a reminder of why we do this work in the first place and how, in every way, this was truly a team effort.
We appreciate the support of Foundation Sponsor BNY Mellon and all our corporate sponsors. We would also like to thank AccuPoint Solutions, who generously sponsored cooling buffs for all participants.
Thank you to everyone who helped make this first-time event such an overwhelming success. Every step and every mile brought us closer to our goal of changing lives and improving outcomes for those impacted by cancer. Thank you for being part of our life-changing mission and for helping to make our work possible at a time when it is even more critical. We look forward to next year and hope you will join us (and bring friends) in 2021!
Biking Challenge Winners:
Highest Fundraising by an Individual
Highest Mileage by an Individual
Corporate Team Awards
Friends Teams Awards
Family Teams Awards
Running/Walking Challenge Winners:
Highest Fundraiser by an Individual
Highest Mileage by an Individual
Corporate Team Awards
Friends Team Awards
Family Team Awards
Virtual 5K & 10K Races:
10K
5K
