Dalton's Dash 5k Walk/Run

Grab your friends, family, survivors, and caretakers, and join us for a beautiful morning of love, laughter, and fun! Oh...and a 5k run/walk + kids' dash!

Why D-Feet Cancer?

D-Feet Cancer was formed in late 2021 after parents Jen and Will promised their 12-year-old son, Dalton, they wouldn’t stop fighting this disease to help kids like him. With support from family, friends, and community, D-Feet Cancer was formed in late 2021. In January 2023, D-Feet Cancer wrote a check for $100,000.08 (8 was Dalton’s favorite number) to fund one year of Ewing Sarcoma research. This research, in partnership with the University of Pittsburgh and St. Baldrick’s Foundation, aims to specifically target Ewing Sarcoma cells via cell surface receptors while leaving healthy cells alone. If successful, this treatment could significantly increase survivorship while limiting the often debilitating and sometimes fatal side effects of traditional chemotherapy. After another year of fundraising, D-Feet Cancer donated another $100,000 to St. Baldrick's in February 2024 to fund the University of Pittsburgh research for a second year. Additionally, D-Feet just committed $50,000 to fund a separate but related research project. Thank you to all of our sponsors, donors, and supporters for allowing us to fund this critical research. 

D-Feet Cancer hopes to continue to raise awareness of pediatric cancer in general and Ewing Sarcoma specifically in the years to come. 100% of donations and all event proceeds will directly fund Ewing Sarcoma research to help the approximately 300 U.S. kids each year, who, just like Dalton, are diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma.

To learn more about D-Feet Cancer, the research we fund, and our mission, please visit www.DFeetCancer.org. The story of our inspiration, Dalton Fox, can be found on the website but is also below. Dalton is our “WHY.”   

Dalton Fox's Story:

In March of 2018, Dalton began a standard chemotherapy regimen designed to kill the rapidly dividing Ewing Sarcoma cells along with a limb salvage surgery in July of 2018. After almost a year of chemotherapy and an artificial knee and metal tibia, Dalton was declared cancer-free in February of 2019.  In May of 2019, Dalton's cancer had returned and on August 28, 2019, Dalton’s left leg was amputated just above his left knee.

Dalton’s smile and sense of humor were infectious. Even while fighting cancer, Dalton brightened every room he walked into.  Dalton loved animals, especially lemurs, and even had a lemur picture on Larry, his prosthetic leg. When kids asked him what happened to his missing left leg, Dalton would smile and say, “shark attack.” He even wanted to get a pedicure and see if he got half off.

Dalton’s amputation was followed by another six months of chemotherapy.  Once again, in February of 2020, Dalton was declared cancer-free. With his new prosthetic leg, named Larry, Dalton enjoyed a Spring out of the hospital.  Unfortunately, the amputation and six more months of additional chemo didn’t work.  A June 2020 chest x-ray showed a lung full of fluid and a metastasis of the Ewing Sarcoma. Over the next eleven months, Dalton continued to smile and make others laugh all while fighting for his own life.  If pure grit, determination, and toughness had been enough, Dalton would have easily beaten his cancer. D, as he was often called, needed better medicine/treatment options, and time. Dalton died on May 25, 2021, a little more than three years after his initial diagnosis.

This is a FUN run and not a timed event. Additionally, those running with strollers and walking are encouraged to start in the back of the pack.  Wheelchair/hand-cyclists/duo teams will be allowed on a limited basis, and these runners will start at the front of the pack. Please contact us if you will be participating as a wheelchair/hand-cycle/duo team.  Pets, bicycles, skateboards, in-line skates, and scooters are NOT permitted in the race.

Packet pickup will be MAY 17, 2024 at CLUB BRITTANY (800 Five Point Road, 23454) from 4-6 pm.  Cheers to the 3rd Annual Dalton's Dash 5k and kids' 100-yard dash! We hope to see you there!