Benefit walks and runs are not new to the active community. All year walks and runs to sponsor charitable causes are hosted around the country. These events energize and inspire participants, volunteers, and those that come out to cheer. They spread awareness of foundations committed to finding cures and support families coping with difficult diagnoses. Setting goals to cover miles and to share that success with a greater cause is incredible, and another way to hold yourself accountable to your fitness goals.

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The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer has been hosted around the country each year since 2003. All donations fund research to find a cure and prevention. The walk is hosted in Charlotte, New York, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Chicago, Washington DC, Houston, and Boston each year and raises millions to support the women fighting this disease. It’s an incredible two-day event where participants walk a total of 39.3 miles: a full marathon on the first day, and a half marathon on the second. The Avon Walk in Boston this year is taking place May 17-18 and funds raised go directly to Mass General Hospital (home of the Avon Foundation Breast Care Center of Excellence), Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Tufts University School of Medicine, and other renowned cancer research institutes.

I have chosen to highlight this event because one of my good friends, Ted, has signed up to walk this year. He has set a goal of raising $5,000 to donate, and is gearing up to walk the full 39.3 in support of his mother, who was diagnosed with breast cancer this past summer. Ted’s strength, optimism, and commitment to this cause is inspiring. He is not walking with a team and he will likely be outnumbered by women, but Ted will be wearing pink for two days, and he needs your support. If you’d like to read more about his family’s story, or donate, you can do so here.

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