Read Time: 5 minutes
Takeaways
- Anyone can make a difference—whether through a small social media campaign, a family event, or a company-wide initiative, DIY fundraising helps fuel research that leads to more effective treatments, improved outcomes, and potential cures for those facing cancer.
- Huntsman Cancer Foundation ensures every dollar raised directly supports the mission of Huntsman Cancer Institute.
Impact: Through community-driven fundraising, Huntsman Cancer Institute accelerates pioneering research and innovations that bring us closer every day to a world without cancer.
In 2024, Huntsman Cancer Foundation raised over $24 million for cancer research at Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah—a feat that would not have been possible without a dedicated group of supporters behind the cause.
These funds were raised through various avenues, from Huntsman Heroes endurance events and Huntsman SportsFest to corporate partnerships, small businesses, and individual fundraising initiatives. Today, Huntsman Cancer Foundation’s network of donors and fundraisers has grown to over one million.
When Jerrin Wagstaff began fundraising for Huntsman Cancer Foundation, he had no idea how big an impact a simple campaign could have.
The inspiration behind Jerrin’s fundraiser comes from his late wife, Jessica, who passed away in 2016 after facing cancer for three years. Jessica, an avid runner, had been training for a Ragnar race in 2015.
However, due to the nature of her cancer diagnosis, she was unable to participate in the race and run the way she used to.
Before she passed, Jessica left friends and family with one important message on social media:
“Run a freaking mile for me! I never got to do it. Have an annual mile for Jess day or something. Peace out, friends.”
And so, “Run a Mile for Jess” was born.
For the past eight years, Jerrin and his children have held Run a Mile for Jess using Huntsman Cancer Foundation’s customizable do-it-yourself (DIY) platform, Fundraise for Huntsman. Held annually on Jessica’s birthday, the fundraiser is a simple social media campaign that encourages people to donate to cancer research, spread awareness, and of course, run a mile.
“The main point of the event is to remember Jessica and increase awareness of the ways people can support cancer research,” Jerrin says. “One of the awful things you find out when someone close to you is going through cancer treatment is that literally everyone you know has been impacted by cancer in some way.”
Using Fundraise for Huntsman, Jerrin and his family were able to create a unique campaign with a special message. Its DIY format makes it easy for family and friends to get involved, set specific fundraising goals, and share digital links. Most importantly, it ensures that every cent raised goes directly to the mission of Huntsman Cancer Institute.
“Private donations are a great way to honor and support all of the people who have had to go through any sort of cancer treatment,” Jerrin says. “They are also an investment in the lives of the people who, unfortunately, will have to go through it in the future.”
For some, fundraising can seem daunting. They may believe that it requires a grand gesture, wide-reaching event, or complex effort. However, this could not be further from the truth. Every person, family, or company that raises money for cancer research makes a difference—you never know whose life you might change.
“The Run a Mile for Jess fundraiser is a very small gesture that I only do once a year, but every year, people show up and participate. I can tell by my interactions with them that the event affects them, their lives, their families, and the way they show up in their communities,” Jerrin says. “That type of impact goes far beyond anything I could ever hope to achieve on my own.”
Scott Richman experienced this impact firsthand when his company, Fulcrum, created a campaign in memory of his daughter, Erin Richman.
In 2020, Erin passed away from triple-negative breast cancer at the age of 28. That same year, Fulcrum pledged to annually support cancer research at Huntsman Cancer Institute in her honor.
“The most amazing thing is that this event occurred spontaneously with no input from me or my family. The Fulcrum family took it upon themselves to make it happen,” Scott says. “Erin’s sister Samantha creates the graphics associated with the event each year.”
Fulcrum’s fundraiser is tied to its annual War Games event, which involves teams competing against each other in a series of physical and mental challenges. For Fulcrum, Fundraise for Huntsman allowed existing traditions to be merged with an important cause.
The event takes place each year around Halloween—Erin’s favorite time of year—and has raised over $35,000 since 2020. Each year, the event looks a bit different, from chili cook-offs to plank challenges to target shooting competitions.
The kindness of his colleagues has left a lasting impression on Scott, who now believes that private donations are vital in the mission of finding a cure.
“It is extremely important to fund cancer research. Cancer is the source of a great deal of pain and a very complex problem. It does not seem to be just one thing,” Scott says. “No single organization can self-fund a cure…the scope is daunting and unknown.”
Scott’s gratitude also extends to Erin’s care team at Huntsman Cancer Institute.
“I will always be thankful for the people at Huntsman Cancer Institute that we interacted with. I felt that we were a team and that we had a great plan,” he says. “I felt we shared a purpose, and I don’t think that is very common. I always felt, and still believe, that we were in very good hands.”
This shared purpose brings us one step closer, every day, to a world without cancer.
“We’re so grateful for all of our community partners, whether it’s a family organizing a neighborhood 5K, a memorial page in honor of a loved one, or a local restaurant giving proceeds,” Jen Murano, director of events and community outreach at Huntsman Cancer Foundation, says. “Every dollar is making a huge impact.”
To learn more about how you or your company can get involved, visit the Fundraise for Huntsman website and let’s end cancer together.