Let's Do Something Sweet!
Welcome to the 2021 Corporate Breakfast. This morning as you enjoy your treat from our friends at the Batchmaker, we’re excited to present the impact we are making together across the Charlotte cancer landscape. Your support is helping us provide crucial cancer navigation and supportive oncology programs through our partner beneficiaries. Thank you for helping us change the course of cancer. We invite you to scroll and see your generosity in action.
Below you’ll find opening remarks from our founder, Spencer Lueders, followed by a recap of our 20th 24 Hours of Booty event where we celebrated the Summer of Endless Hope. You’ll also be inspired by two participants at this year’s event who overcame the odds to complete 100 miles for their loved ones affected by cancer.
Next, learn more about our upcoming event: 2022’s 24,000 Mile Challenge. We can’t wait to take big steps for small heroes, and introduce a new component to this year’s event. Finally, mark your calendars and get ready to register for 24 Hours of Booty taking place July 29-30, 2022! Event registration opens March 24, 2022!
We love to share details about the work we’re supporting through our beneficiaries and grant recipients. We invite you to learn more in our 2020 Impact Report, found here.
Twenty years ago, 24 Foundation began with one man on a bike. That man? Spencer Lueders. Since that first solo expedition around the Booty Loop, 24 Foundation has raised more than $25 million to support cancer navigation and survivorship services across the Charlotte community and beyond. Please join Spencer for welcoming remarks this morning.
On July 30th and 31st, we celebrated our 20th year of impact with 24 Hours of Booty, which we designated the Summer of Endless Hope. We know that each year, our event provides more than just a Loop for walkers and bikers: It creates a community of hope and healing for those remembering and championing their loved ones.
Following our UnLooped event in 2020, we were eager to be together once again, sharing smiles, hugs, fist bumps, Bootyville tents, midnight pizza, luminaries, and all the things that make Booty, well, Booty. Here’s a short recap of what those 24 hours were like for our participants and us this summer.
We often say that anyone can participate in 24 Hours of Booty. We structure our events to be accessible to all skill and experience levels, and we’re regularly inspired by just how much our participants overcome to join us. In 2019, it was a survivor who learned to ride a road recumbent bike solely to participate in our opening survivor’s lap (he was back this year looking stronger and more motivated than ever!). In 2020, it was the team member recovering from surgery who had a goal of completing 1,000 steps.
This year, we were all inspired by the story of Caroline Gaynor and her teammate Ashley Eisenmenger who piloted a tandem for 100 miles in honor and memory of friends and family who had passed away of cancer or were currently fighting it. What makes their story even more incredible is that Ashley is visually impaired. She and Caroline worked together to achieve Ashley’s first 100-mile century ride, showing us yet again the power of this 24 community. Our friends at Fox 46 Charlotte covered their journey, which you can see and read more of here.
We’re bringing back our tiny band of brave superheroes on February 5, 2022! Our inaugural 24,000 Mile Challenge raised over $48,000 for our pediatric cancer beneficiaries, and we can’t wait to see what we can accomplish in our second year!
This event is perfect for runners and walkers or avid Costco weekend shoppers. Registration is just $35 for adults and $15 for children. Fundraising is encouraged, and all proceeds will benefit our pediatric cancer partners, Levine Children’s Hospital, Claire’s Army, and Pinky Swear Foundation. Participants will have the opportunity to win prizes and interact with community partners at specially marked “double dip” locations to double their miles, complete suggested routes in the heart of Charlotte, and share the experience with us on social media.
Registration for this event launches on November 15, 2021. To learn more about how you can get involved as a big hero in the new year, please contact Katherine Murphy, 24 Foundation Director of Community Partnerships, at katherine@24foundation.org
Save the Date for 2022’s 24 Hours of Booty! We’ll storm the Loop on bike and on foot on July 29th and 30th. Event registration opens March 24, 2022. Talk about March Madness! If you would like to learn more about creating a corporate team, contact Katy Ryan at katy@24foundation.org. For more information on becoming a funding partner, please contact Katherine Murphy, 24 Foundation Director of Community Partnerships, at katherine@24foundation.org.