RUNWAY to HOPE RECEIVE HOPE QUARTERLY
The Hope
Collective NOVEMBER
WWW.RUNWAYTOHOPE.ORG
4th
QUARTER
REFLECTING ON HOPE As we head into the holiday season, a time for gratitude and holding our loved ones a little closer, we find ourselves reflecting on all that Runway to Hope has achieved so far this year. Our supporters have shown up in ways we never imagined while the children and families we serve have continued to place their trust in us during some of life's most challenging moments, reminding us every day why our work matters so deeply.
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QUARTER 4 AT A GLANCE Quarter 4 is filled with meaningful connections, unforgettable moments, and countless reasons to be grateful, and now, a little holiday cheer! In this issue, meet one of our newest board members, Chief Douglas Goerke, and see how he made Charlie an honorary Police Chief. Catch up with our Leaders of Hope Board, from their exciting Dodge for Hope tournament in August to special moments spent alongside our HOPE Ambassadors. Learn what's new for our HopeCrew and new HopeQuarters office, along with where to find our holiday trees this season. And as we look ahead to 2027, be sure to mark your calendars for some of our most anticipated events, including Golf for Hope, Bloomingdale's Bash Weekend, and our signature Spring Soiree! www.runwaytohope.org
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FAMILY WELLNESS IN ACTION Through our Family Wellness Program, Runway to Hope has granted $227,473.76 and counting in financial assistance throughout 2026, helping Central Florida families battling pediatric cancer cover critical needs. From housing and utilities to nourishment and mental health services, this support eases financial burdens, allowing families to focus on what matters most: their child.
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HOSPITAL PROGRAMMING Our 2025-2029 programs, totaling $1.5 million, have officially been finalized and announced!
AdventHealth for Children: Funding to support the Nation’s first Pediatric Head and Neck Tumors Center, providing specialized care for children facing these rare cancers. Orlando Health | Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children: Funding to support the new Pediatric Cancer Predisposition Program, helping identify children at increased genetic risk for cancer and support early detection through personalized monitoring. Nemours Children’s Health: Funding to support the Runway to Hope Fertility Preservation Program, helping preserve a child’s opportunity to build a future family before cancer treatment begins, at no cost to their family.
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EVENT HIGHLIGHTS On May 16th, 2026 we held our 14th Annual Spring Soiree. We featured over 120 children either actively battling cancer or within five years of remission walking the runway in donated clothing from Bloomingdale’s Orlando. Not only did our kids shine like stars on the runway, but we raised over $1.2 million thanks to our generous community.
This summer marked our fourth Annual Camp Runway event that features special summer activities for our families including swimming, water balloon fights, Chick-fil-A for lunch, arts & crafts and more! We cherish the special moments we get to have with our families and this day was unforgettable.
There is no better way to get into the festive spirit than seeing our kids dress up in costume for our Annual Fall Festival. This year we marked ourselves “safe” from any rain - for those of you who attended in 2025, you get it. Our kids, their siblings, and their families enjoyed horseback riding, bounce houses, carnival games, Metro Diner for lunch, and of course, Trunk or Treating!
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OUR HOTEL OF CHOICE We will forever be grateful for all that Harris Rosen, his foundation, and Rosen Hotels & Resorts has done for Runway to Hope and our families. As our Presenting Venue Sponsor for our Annual Spring Soiree, we can confidently say, there is no place we would rather be!
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS SPOTLIGHT One of our newest board members, Chief Douglas Goerke of the St. Cloud City Police Department, recently welcomed Charlie F. to the station to become an honorary police chief! We’re grateful to Chief Goerke and his team for celebrating Charlie and creating a special experience for one of our Runway to Hope kids. We are so honored to welcome Christine Haughney, the recently appointed Marketing Director for The Mall at Millenia, to the Runway to Hope Board of Directors! She brings with her a dedication not only to our children & families but to spreading awareness in the community and ensuring that no family has to battle pediatric cancer alone.
LEADERS OF HOPE IN ACTION Our Leaders of Hope Board has been bringing people together through friendly competition and opportunities to connect! In August, their Dodge for Hope dodgeball tournament invited participants to rally around Runway to Hope’s mission while enjoying some fun on the court.
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LEADERS OF HOPE IN ACTION CTD. They also gathered with our Hope Ambassadors at the Orlando Science Center for a day of discovery and connection. We’re grateful for the energy, creativity, and dedication these leaders bring to our community, and for their commitment to building meaningful relationships with the children and families at the heart of our mission.
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HOPE CREW UPDATE Runway to Hope is pleased to announce the appointment of Baily Palmer as Interim Executive Director. Over her more than four years with the organization, Baily has built meaningful relationships with the families we serve and is a beloved member of the Runway to Hope community. She is currently pursuing her Master of Business Administration at Southern New Hampshire University. In this role, Baily will work alongside our staff, board, and community partners to advance our mission of ensuring that no family battles pediatric cancer alone. Please join us in congratulating Baily as she steps into this new role!
HOPE QUARTERS UPDATE We moved! Make sure to update your contact information for us with our new address: 7111 Grand National Dr. Ste 106 Orlando, FL 32819 We are so excited for all that is to come in this new space.
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LOOKING AHEAD IN 2026 Festival of Trees | Orlando Museum of Art November 14–22
Find a little hope among the holiday sparkle! Our tree will join the Festival of Trees, celebrating its 40th anniversary with the theme “Forty Seasons of Joy.” Enjoy beautifully decorated trees and festive displays while looking for Runway to Hope’s contribution. Holiday Tree Display | Fun Spot Orlando November 20 - January 5
Add a little hope to your holiday adventures! Look for Runway to Hope’s tree during your seasonal visit to Fun Spot Orlando. We’re excited to share our mission with park visitors and celebrate the spirit of giving through this festive community display.
A Tree-Mendous Affair | Rosen Shingle Creek December 4–22
Celebrate the season with a stroll through Rosen Shingle Creek’s festive lobby, where local nonprofits decorate holiday trees to showcase their missions. Look for Runway to Hope’s tree among the displays, sharing a message of hope for children and families battling pediatric cancer.
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WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE IN 2027 Bash Weekend | Bloomingdale’s Orlando 2027 Dates TBA Get ready for a weekend of fashion, community, and giving back! Our annual Bash Weekend brings supporters together to celebrate our mission and the children who inspire it. Stay tuned for dates and details on how you can join in the fun.
Golf for Hope | Shingle Creek Golf Club April 2, 2027 Join us on the green for a day of friendly competition in support of Runway to Hope! Gather your foursome and help make a difference for Central Florida children and families battling pediatric cancer. More event details and registration information are coming soon.
Spring Soiree | Rosen Shingle Creek May 1, 2027 Save the date for an unforgettable evening celebrating the children and families at the heart of Runway to Hope. Our Spring Soiree returns with opportunities to come together, share hope, and support our mission. We look forward to celebrating with you this May!
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FASHION FOR A CAUSE Our Annual Spring Soiree would not be the incredible fashion show it is without the generosity and ongoing support of Bloomingdale’s Orlando. They have been dressing our kids for over a decade and they always make sure our kids feel like their BEST selves on the stage that night.
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BE PART OF WHAT COMES NEXT We hope this newsletter leaves you feeling connected to our mission and inspired by the difference we can continue making together for children and families battling pediatric cancer. We’d love to hear what touched your heart, what you’d like to learn more about, and how you hope to get involved. Share this newsletter with someone who might feel inspired to join us!
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As we look ahead to 2027, we’re grateful to have you beside us for another year of hope. Whether you attend an event, volunteer your time, make a gift, or help spread the word, your involvement matters. We look forward to seeing familiar faces, welcoming new friends, and sharing more stories of the families your kindness helps support. Thank you for being part of our Runway to Hope community.
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NOVEMBER
QUARTER 4: 2026
RUNWAY to HOPE WWW.RUNWAYTOHOPE.ORG