Celebrating a silver anniversary for a beloved event, Fox Chase Cancer Center hosted the 25th Annual Paws for the Cause Dog Walk on Sunday, September 15, 2024.
More than 500 people, many with their furry friends in tow, flocked to the cancer center’s scenic Northeast Philadelphia campus on a perfectly sunny day to raise more than $110,000 for cancer research and training.
“This year was extra special because we reached a major milestone, not just in the number of years that we’ve been hosting this event, but in the amount of dollars raised,” said Barbara O’Donnell, President of Fox Chase’s Board of Associates, the group that organizes this signature fundraiser. “This year, we exceeded $1 million in cumulative fundraising since Paws for the Cause began all those years ago!”
“We love seeing so many patients, faculty members, staff, and community residents come out year after year for this wonderful event,” said Donna McAllister, Treasurer of the Board of Associates and Co-Chair of Fox Chase’s Patient and Family Advisory Council. “It really is a great day when we all come together.”
What began as a simple one-mile walk around the Fox Chase campus has grown steadily to the much-anticipated, family-friendly festival that takes place these days. Paws for the Cause includes food, giveaways, music, children’s activities, contests and prizes, vendor sales, raffles, and more.
Sponsorships alone this year totaled $34,500 with generous support once again from title sponsor West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc., and fundraising teams continue to impress with large showings of both members and dollars raised.
New for 2024, the event welcomed two food trucks: the Dunkin’ Community Cruiser, serving iced coffees and refreshers, and Frios Gourmet Pops, specializing in gourmet popsicles. Altogether, Paws for the Cause welcomed five new sponsors and nine new vendors among many returning supporters.
Like last year, a kick-off event held in the Fox Chase Cafeteria at teatime earlier this spring, helped get the fundraising going for another successful year.
By the numbers, Paws for the Cause 2024 attracted:
- 462 attendees
- 50+ volunteers
- 23 sponsors (5 new)
- 16 vendors (9 new, including 2 food trucks)
- 3 animal rescue organizations
- 35 raffle baskets
Congratulations are extended to this year’s top fundraisers:
Top Fundraising Teams
Team O’Donnell – $10,440
Team Giampaolo – $9,690
The Whetstine Lab – $2,645
Top Individual Fundraisers
Tracey Wheaton – $4,000
Johnathan Whetstine – $2,150
Ryan O’Donnell – $1,900
Special congratulations go to Johnathan Whetstine, PhD, and the Whetstine Lab team—repeat winners of the “Stanley Pup” Trophy—awarded to the Fox Chase department that raises the most money for Paws for the Cause each year.
Many thanks are extended to 2024 event chair Lori Giampaolo, patient ambassador Annie Miyazaki-Grant, physician ambassadors Jason Castellanos, MD, MS, FACS, and Emily Castellanos, MD, MPH, and emcee Dawn Timmeney of Fox 29, as well as to all who offered their support by leading and joining teams, donating funds, purchasing raffle tickets, sharing photos of your pets and families on social media, and bringing so much enthusiasm to this much-loved Fox Chase tradition.
See more pictures from this year’s event in Fox Chase’s Flickr album.