Pictured above: Participants in the annual Dawn’s 5k Dash

In 2016, Dawn Hill was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer at the age of 47. After obtaining a second option, she began a clinical trial at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD. Dawn fought like a feisty WARRIOR for 16 months, and even worked full-time for 8 of those months, before passing away at the young age of 48. During Dawn’s journey she was surrounded by her Running Warriors Run Group who spent 4 days a week together (for nearly 3 years) training for various local races. Dawn always spoke of getting better and PAYING ALL THE GOODNESS FORWARD that was showered upon her during her journey!! She always said patients battling cancer shouldn’t be worried about their finances, but instead should have their mind and strength saved for their FIGHT!

In her honor, her wife Rebekah Cugle, along with some of the Running Warriors group members, created the Dawn Hill Fight Foundation, Inc. (DHFF) and were officially incorporated in 2018 as a 501c3 non-profit organization.

With the help of corporate sponsors and local businesses, DHFF hosts an annual 5k Run/Walk in Maryland, with a virtual option available too! All race registration monies collected are provided directly to patients battling pancreatic cancer. Rebekah, the President of DHFF, calls each patient and connects with them on a very personal level, learning about their diagnosis, journey, families, treatments, etc. while creating long-lasting friendships with many patients and their families.

DHFF also holds additional fundraisers throughout the year at local restaurants and on Facebook. Additionally, they fundraise through Amazon Smile as a designated charity, to continue their ‘giving back and paying it forward’ to patients while waiting for the next Dawn’s 5k Dash fundraiser to Kick-Off!

Dawn touched so many lives and quickly made a huge impact on others! Inspiring, encouraging, and motivating them, daily, through shared Facebook posts and stories.

We hope to keep her spirit alive and are committed to honoring her wishes of Paying it Forward through our many fundraising efforts.

As we press on, we hope to continue to grow and help as many patients as possible!

Helping Families — Raising Awareness — Providing Hope

Instagram — dawns5kdash

Facebook — Dawn Hill Fight Foundation Page

To learn more about the Dawn Hill Fight Foundation, visit their website here.