Going The Distance Against Cancer, HEADstrong Launches Running aHEAD of Cancer 5K Series – 3 Races Fall 2019

(PHILADELPHIA) – With a vision of scaling endurance challenges into 27 markets over the next decade, the HEADstrong Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to improving lives affected by cancer, is proud to announce 3 upcoming events, as part of the Running aHEAD of Cancer Series.  Given the athletic roots and platform of the HEADstrong Foundation, the organization believes strongly in creating outlets to grow supporters as well as engaging constituents and benefactors of their work.  In addition to the runs, HEADstrong will also be integrating a virtual platform, allowing anyone the ability to Run aHEAD of Cancer at any time. HEADstrong enters the endurance community with a 6-year history within the space, having scaled their annual 5K race, which was originally held in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania.  Over the past few years, HEADstrong has organized and been the benefactor of several memorial runs, adding more events has simply been par for the course.  HEADstrong will also be adding a B.Y.O.B. (Bring Your Own Bib) component allowing athletes use ANY endurance event throughout the country as a vehicle for raising funds for the cause.  HEADstrong will also be building a team of running enthusiasts to endorse the organization.  The goal of the Running aHEAD of Cancer Series, is to bring athletes of all abilities together to support families overcome by cancer with proceeds of the races helping to play a critical role in allowing families to go the distance against the disease.  Funds from the events series will be used to fund Nick’s House; a guest residence operated by the HEADstrong Foundation which provides complimentary, extended-stay, patient friendly, lodging for families displaced in the pursuit of advanced cancer care.     

September 7th, 2019 – Running aHEAD of Cancer Mullica Hill – Hill Creek Farms, Mullica Hill, NJ

September 22nd, 2019 – Running aHEAD of Cancer Delaware County – Swarthmore College – Swarthmore, PA

September 22nd, 2019 – Running aHEAD of Cancer Fort Lauderdale at TY Park in Hollywood, FL

9.7.19 Mullica Hill, NJ – Hill Creek Farms

The HEADstrong Foundation has partnered with Hill Creek Farms in Mullica Hill, NJ and will host a 5K race and 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk to celebrate the kick-off of the fall season.  Participants will have the unique opportunity to race through a beautiful apple orchard and working farmland. In addition to the 5K and 1M there will also be a Little Apple Dash for the kids under 10! Athletes will enjoy the crisp cool air, and the seasonal foliage all around the course. After the race, athletes and family members can indulge with delicious caramel apples, refreshing apple cider, and Hill Creek’s famous apple donuts made from scratch!  Start a new tradition that the whole family will love and make a difference today. 

“As a family business which places great value on traditions, we are excited to introduce what we hope will be a new tradition for families in South Jersey in support of the HEADstrong Foundation.  We could not think of a better way to engage people then by sharing our family orchard and welcoming folks to begin the fall season with a great activity for all ages in support of an amazing cause.” explained Fred A. Sorbello, President Hill Creek Farms.

9.22.19 Delaware County, PA – Swarthmore, College

An amazing event now in its 7th year has been given a makeover with a new event site and course in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, home of Nick’s House.  Event organizers have designed an amazing race course which will take runners on a scenic tour of the borough of Swarthmore, business district and college.  The course will also take runners past Nick’s House where runners will have the opportunity to wave and show their love for guest families.  Runners are encouraged to form a team, bringing together friends, family and even their dogs! Registration begins on June 1 and will be open until the day of the event. The 3.1 mile course runs through the idyllic Swarthmore Borough and is perfect for first time 5K runners. 

“We are delighted to welcome supporters of the HEADstrong Foundation to Swarthmore for the Running aHEAD of Cancer 5K Run and Walk,” explained Swarthmore Mayor Martin Spiegel. “As the Mayor of Swarthmore Borough, I’d like to express the pride we have as a community for this amazing cause and we welcome the event to our town with open arms.”

9.22.19 – Fort Lauderdale, FL – TY Park

The HEADstrong Foundation has announced an event operations partnership with Victory Sports Management.  In addition to the local runs in which HEADstrong will operate, Victory Sports Management will oversee the event operations for the Running aHEAD of Cancer Series across the country.  The expansion series is intended to engage supporters throughout the country by providing an outlet aligning with their athletic interests. HEADstrong and Victory’s vision is to scale a series of 5K’s throughout the country which will place on the week of September 21st, commemorating the anniversary of HEADstrong founder Nicholas Colleluori’s terminal diagnosis of non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.  The first location will be TY Park in Hollywood, Florida.    

“Victory Sports is excited for the opportunity to partner with the HEADstrong Foundation and the Running aHEAD of Cancer 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk,” explained Danny Howard, President and CEO of Victory Sports Management. “The opportunity to present the HEADstrong Foundation and their excellent mission to the South Florida community was a driving force behind the partnership. Their passion and drive for their cause is second to none, and we look forward to growing with HEADstrong for many years to come.”  For more information on the event, visit here.

“We are so excited for what the fall season has instore for supporters of the HEADstrong Foundation.  We are very proud to introduce the Running aHEAD of Cancer 5K Series, as we feel this is a wonderful way to engage our supporters throughout the country.  All of the locations have significance to our organization.  Our hope is to be able to enable athletes to champion of mission and play an important role in supporting our service offering while raising awareness.  Creating meaningful events to engage the public is our social responsibility, the proceeds will allow us to have a profound impact for families overcome by cancer and together we will make a major statement of support, encouragement and love for families navigating the storm of cancer.  The Running aHEAD of Cancer Series is yet another way athletes can be the difference.  We look forward to sharing these events and bringing them to your community in the near future.”  Cheryl Colleluori, HF President and Nick’s Mom

About HEADstrong 

The HEADstrong Foundation (www.HEADstrong.org) is a non-profit organization committed to improving lives affected by cancer. HEADstrong was founded by Nicholas Colleluori, a Division I athlete entering his sophomore year at Hofstra University when he was terminally diagnosed with cancer. His public fight from the sidelines captivated the nation and from his hospital bed he created an organization focused on empowering student-athletes to improve lives affected by the disease. His vision was simple yet critical; helping real families when they needed it most, providing support so that families may live with a greater dignity and normalcy. Colleluori fought to improve the inpatient experience, the affordability and accessibility of care and tackled the general concerns facing the patient population.

Understanding the ripple effect and impact that a cancer diagnosis had on a family, Colleluori championed efforts to support caregivers and capital projects to improve accommodations. He built an awareness platform driven by lime green shoelaces, the national awareness color for non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. He empowered his own family and in the last days of his life asked them to pick up the ball where he left off. It’s a promise that the Colleluori family continues to fulfill through the essential programs and services offered by the HEADstrong Foundation,​ www.HEADstrong.org​. HEADstrong invests more than $.90 of every dollar into a service offering 100% committed to improving the quality of life for families affected by cancer. HEADstrong grants financial assistance, funds projects to improve the inpatient experience, provides meals and outlets of entertainment, delivers comfort kits, peer support and most notably operates Nick’s House, a haven of comfort for families seeking comprehensive cancer care.