Presented by the Family of Susan Fischer, Champions of Hope 2023 will be held on Saturday, October 21 in downtown Dothan at The Plant. Gather your friends and family and participate in the 5K, 10K, or one mile Spirit Walk as we help expand cancer services and programs offered in our community!
Celebrating its fifteenth year, proceeds raised through Champions of Hope have been able to fund 3D mammography, customized reference binders for newly diagnosed patients, Cancer Navigation Services, post-mastectomy comfort kits, and more. Whether you participate as a sponsor, vendor, race participant, or volunteer, you can leave a lasting impact in the lives of so many who turn to Southeast Health for cancer care.
On the evening before the race, please join us for the Celebration of Light ceremony to support, remember, and encourage those in our community who have faced a cancer diagnosis.
For questions or more information, please contact the Southeast Health Foundation at (334) 673-4150 or [email protected].
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor for Champions of Hope 2023, please contact Jill Hoops at [email protected] or call 334-673-4150.
2023 Champions of Hope Honoree
Champions of Hope will be hosting a Celebration of Light to support, remember, and encourage cancer survivors, or anyone touched by cancer through the dedication of a luminaria.
You can dedicate a luminaria to lost loved one, currently battling family or friend, a caregiver, or anyone who has survived cancer. Whether you plan on attending the ceremony to see your luminaria illuminated in person or want to dedicate one from afar, your loved one’s name will be represented as a light that still shines. Your contribution will help save lives, give hope, and empower our community.
To order a luminaria, please click the button below to use the online order form or email [email protected] to request an emailed order form. Thank you for your generous support of this important initiative.
Thank you to our 2023 Event Sponsors
TITLE SPONOSR
Plaza Sponsor
Champion Sponsor
Marketing & Print Sponsor
Registration Sponsor
Finisher Medal Sponsor
Race Bib Sponsor
Award’s Ceremony Sponsor
Kid Zone Sponsor
Survivor Tent Sponsor
Paws Fur Hope Hydration Station
Flag Garden Sponsor
Celebration of Light Sponsor
Hydration Sponsor
Luminaria Sponsor
Entertainement Sponsor
Pot Luck (Food Truck) Sponsor
(Florida Region)
Molly’s Mile Sponsor
5K Sponsor
Available
10K Sponsor
Available
Beer Garden Sponsor
Hospitality Tent
Finish Line Sponsor
Mile Marker Sponsor
Mile Marker Sponsor
Mile Marker Sponsor
Mile Marker Sponsor
Mile Marker Sponsor
Hope Sponsors
Chick-Fil-A East Dothan
ID. Associates
Jarrod Adkison, MD
SE Radiation Oncology
Anesthesia Consultants Medical Group, P.C.
Avadian Credit Union
Cobb & Boyd
ENTcare
Enterprise State Community College
in honor of Matt Rodgers
Thompson Gas
Viva Medicare
Troy Bank & Trust
Advanced Dental Care
Southeastern Urology, Daniel A. Deighton M.D.
Eye Surgical Associates
PNC Bank
Radiology Associates of Dothan
Stage Sponsor
The White Family
Past Event Chairs & Honorees
2008 Chair – Sandi Thurman McCool
2009 Chair – Kelli Cundith Beaty
2010 Chair – Kelli Hall
2011 Chair – Franzi Bondy
2013 Chair – Melinda McClendon
2014 Chair – Sandy Brooks
2015 Chair – Patty Harris
2016 Chair – Valerie Harris
2017 Chair – Janet Jones
2018 Honorees – Pat & Roddy Cook
2019-2020 Honorees – Christi Peterson & Al Stefin
2021 Honoree – Sam Crawford
2022 Honorees – Emily Roberts & Robert Horne
It Was Once A Dream
The History of Champions of Hope
In Spring 2008, while visiting with close friends, Sandi McCool – a nurse, wife, and friend fighting breast cancer – shared her dream of one day participating in a local event that would honor and encourage breast cancer survivors. That dream became a reality on October 25, 2008, when more than 500 participants gathered on the campus of the Southeast Alabama Medical Center (Southeast Health Medical Center) to embrace the fighting spirit of those who have battled or are battling breast cancer.
On November 23, 2011, Sandi lost her seven-year battle with breast cancer. Sandi will always remain the inspiration and driving force behind Champions of Hope. In 2012, as a tribute to her legacy, the event was named The Sandi McCool Champions of Hope. Since its inaugural year (2008) Sandi’s vision continues to grow and to date Champions of Hope has raised more than one million dollars in support of breast cancer awareness, early detection and intervention services.
In 2018, as a further tribute to Sandi’s legacy, the Southeast Health Foundation Board of Trustees expanded the scope of cancer services that the event funds would support. On October 20, 2018, the Wiregrass community rallied to support the first Champions of Hope to celebrate all cancer survivors and previvors affected in the region.
Champions of Hope 2020 continued to expand on Sandi’s vision as it evolves its commitment to all in our community impacted by a cancer diagnosis. The event returned to its original name, Champions of Hope and also recognized our first Sandi Thurman McCool Champion of Spirit award recipient. Each year this award will recognize our largest individual fundraiser, someone that is committed to Sandi’s passion that cancer care needs a community and is easier at home.