Calling all dog lovers! The fundraising period for Fox Chase Cancer Center’s Paws for the Cause 2025, presented by the Board of Associates, is now underway.
Supporters came together at a Special Tea this March to kick off the countdown to this year’s beloved dog walk, set for Sunday, September 14, 2025. The afternoon teatime event included raffle prizes, special refreshments, T-shirt sales, and free gifts to those who signed up early to participate in this year’s dog walk.
“New this year, we are introducing the Pets of Fox Chase Cancer Center Calendar,” noted Barbara O’Donnell, President of the Board of Associates, as she welcomed everyone to the Special Tea. “We received more than 200 photo entries, and the winning photos will be selected this summer. Calendars will be for sale at the dog walk in September.”
Captivating many in the cafeteria for the teatime presentation was a digital slideshow, featuring the pet dogs, cats, horses, and even lizards of the 200+ Fox Chase employees who answered the call for calendar photos.
Leslie Maxwell, an adjunct professor at Manor College in Jenkintown, Pa., and Penn State – Abington, a retired federal agent/criminal investigator, and absolute animal lover, will serve as patient ambassador for Paws for the Cause 2025. Anthony Villano, MD, FACS, Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery, will serve as the physician ambassador.
“In addition to supporting the Cancer Center, Paws for the Cause lets us acknowledge our four-legged friends and the role they play as loyal, yet sometimes overlooked partners in the cancer journey,” Villano shared. “I’m excited to attend Paws for the Cause for the first time this year and am looking forward to an excellent turnout! This is an outstanding initiative in support of the outstanding efforts at Fox Chase Cancer Center.”
Since its first year, Paws for the Cause has raised more than $1 million for postdoctoral fellowships, cancer research programs, and patient care at Fox Chase. This September marks the dog walk’s 26th year.
Paws for the Cause features a one-mile walk around Fox Chase’s picturesque Northeast Philadelphia campus. Food, music, children’s activities, contests and prizes, vendor sales, raffles, and more create an enjoyable, family-friendly day that keeps many returning year after year. The event is organized by the Board of Associates with generous support from title sponsor West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.
The 2025 dog walk will also welcome Lori Giampaolo as its returning event chair and captain of Team Giampaolo, one of the event’s top fundraising teams.
Registration for Paws for the Cause 2025 is available by going to foxchase.org/giving/paws-cause.
Volunteers are also invited to join the Paws Planning Committee, which will meet monthly until the September event. The first meeting is set for Wednesday, May 28, 2025. For more details, please contact Anna Honer in External Relations via email.