Dawn Hunt named chair of 29th Walk for Life and Famously Hot Pink Half Marathon, 5K + 10K

Dawn Hunt has been named chair of the 29th Walk for Life and Famously Hot Pink Half Marathon, 5K + 10K, signature fundraising events led by Prisma Health Midlands Foundation. Proceeds, totaling more than $10 million to date, benefit Prisma Health Breast Center.

Hunt, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013, will lead a committee of community volunteers and collaborate with the Prisma Health Midlands Foundation team. Under Dawn’s leadership, the committee and Foundation will work to encourage early detection and fund a ninth 3D mammography unit at Northeast Diagnostics, a Prisma Health Breast Center location.

Prior to Hunt’s breast cancer diagnosis in 2013, she knew very few people who had breast cancer and very little about what happens after diagnosis. Since then, close friends, neighbors and family members have been diagnosed. Because of her personal experience with breast cancer, Hunt feels she can offer the right kind of support now more than ever. That experience carries forward to her role as chair of the 2019 Walk for Life and Famously Hot Pink Half Marathon, 5K + 10K to be held Oct. 12 at Segra Park in Columbia.

“There is an amazing commitment, drive, energy and focus of the Foundation team and our volunteers. I want to be part of the journey with them,” said Hunt. “The success story of this event is undeniable, and I’m so glad to be part of sharing the love and energy. In my role as chair, I’m going to invite others in our community to be part of the story.”

Hunt wants people to understand the success of the event is dependent on talking about it and acting.

“There are so many opportunities to participate, large and small, and it is powerful. You can start a team, be a member of a team, register on your own to walk for someone you love, volunteer and, for local businesses, consider a donation or one of many sponsorships available,” said Dawn. “This is not about only one group of people making this happen. It is about a community coming together to raise awareness, improve care options and be part of a day of unity and fun. We can win against breast cancer, but the first step is up to each of us.”

“We love the energy and enthusiasm Dawn brings to our committee. Even before she joined our committee, she was hard at work crushing breast cancer through her “Friends4Dawn” team,” said Kristin Hudson, director of Walk for Life and Famously Hot Pink Half Marathon, 5K + 10K, at Prisma Health Midlands Foundation. “We can’t wait to see Dawn shine in her role as chair.”

Thanks to 28 years of community support, more than $10 million, including in-kind donations, has been raised for Prisma Health Breast Center. The first Walk for Life, founded by former First Lady of Columbia, Beth Coble, in collaboration with Baptist Medical Center staff, was held in 1991, with 200 walkers. Thousands of participants and supporters have elevated the event to a movement to beat breast cancer in the Midlands. Registration is open now at WalkForLifeColumbia.org.

Prisma Health Midlands Foundation

Prisma Health Midlands Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization, engages community partners to enhance health care for patients and families served by Prisma Health—Midlands. For more information, visit PrismaHealthMidlandsFoundation.org.