On Saturday, October 19, the Southeast Health Foundation will welcome cancer survivors and
supporters back to The Plant in downtown Dothan for the 16th annual Champions of Hope! The event creates a one-of-a-kind opportunity for people who have faced or are facing cancer to connect as a community and celebrate milestones with family, friends, physicians, and care providers who support them every step of the way.
The celebration is open to everyone whose life has been touched by cancer, regardless of where they were treated. Let’s #LOVEDOTHAN and come together as a community to support each other.
Highlights include the non-competitive Molly’s Mile walk and a chip-timed 5K or 10K throughout historic downtown Dothan, special commemorative event t-shirts, and finisher medals for all participants, roving entertainment, activities for the family, local vendors, and inspiring speakers.
Raising more than one million dollars since its inception in 2008, proceeds from Champions of Hope help expand cancer services, programs, and patient support in our community.
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 or would like more information about Champions of Hope 2024, please contact the Southeast Health Foundation at [email protected] or call 334-673-4150.
Meet our 2024 Champions of Hope Honoree
Join us on Friday, October 18th for the 3rd annual Celebration of Light where we will honor and celebrate our cancer survivors and remember those that we have lost to cancer. You’ll be able to dedicate a luminaria in honor or memory of a cancer survivor or a loved one you’ve lost to cancer.
Online luminaria orders are now open and will run through October 14th. Luminaria purchases will be able to be made on sight Friday, October 18th.
Thank you to our 2024 Event Sponsors
Title Sponsor
Exclusive Sponsors
Molly’s Mille (One Mile Spirit Walk) Sponsor
Race Bib Sponsor
Celebration of Light Host Sponsor
Luminaria Sponsor
Staff & Volunteer Shirts
Entertainment Sponsor
Survivor Tent
Finish Line Sponsor
Hospitality Tent Sponsor
Flag Garden Sponsor
Paws Fur Hope Hydration Station
Hope Sponsors
Hope Sponsor
Mile Marker Sponsors
Jarrod Adkison, Southeast Health Radiation Oncology
Southern Bone & Joint
David Johnston of Johnston Hinesley
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
2023 Honoree – Molly White
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.