
THANK YOU for joining us for Champions of Hope 2022! Thanks to our generous, sponsors, donors and participants, we were able to raise over $86,000 for Cancer Services at Southeast Health!
Champions of Hope Presented by the Family of Susan Fischer was hosted at The Plant and included 5K, 10K, and Spirit Walk routes through Downtown Dothan. The night before the event a Celebration of Light was hosted to support, remember, and encourage our cancer survivors, or anyone touched by cancer through the dedication of a luminaria.
Make sure to mark your calendars for Champions of Hope 2023 on Saturday, October 21, 2023, at The Plant!
Champions of Hope hosted a Celebration of Light to support, remember, and encourage cancer survivors, or anyone touched by cancer through the dedication of a luminaria. Join us for next year’s Celebration of Light on Friday, October 20, 2023.

Champions of Hope Honoree
Emily Roberts
Champions of Hope Honoree
Gene Horne

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.
Thank you to our 2022 event sponsors
Title Sponsor – The Family of Susan Fischer
Finish Line Sponsor – Adams Beverage
Survivor Tent Sponsor – Women’s Medical Center
Flag Garden Sponsor – The Family of Ralph Smith
Registration Sponsor – Chick-fil-A East Dothan
Hydration Sponsor – Dunbarton Corporation
Paws Fur Hope Hydration Station – Wags & Whiskers
Beer Garden Sponsor – The Wharf Casual Seafood
Pot Luck Sponsor – SmarkBank
Hope Sponsor – Barberitos
Hospitality Tent – AMX Trucking
10K Course Sponsor – McCord Contract Floors, Inc.
5K Course Sponsor – Love2Run – Hissyfits
Hope Sponsors
PNC Bank
All In Credit Union
Troy Bank & Trust
Radiology Associates
HeartsSouth
Southern Blowpipe
Jarrod Adkison, MD Southeast Radiation Oncology
Dr. and Mrs. George Narby
Mile Marker Sponsor
Personnel Resources
Northstar Engineering
Larry Bloomberg & Associates, LLC