The Alzheimer’s Association is the nation’s largest voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research.   Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all effected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.
80,000 South Carolinians are currently living with Alzheimer’s or related dementia.  We are here to help those individuals and their families navigate the difficult decisions and uncertainties at every stage of the disease.  Please support the Alzheimer’s Association in our efforts to raise awareness, advance research and advocate for those affected.  To learn more or join the cause: alz.org/sc or 800-860-1444

Run for Alzheimer’s Association!

For over 100 years, the American Cancer Society (ACS) has worked relentlessly to save lives and create a world with less cancer. Together with millions of our supporters worldwide, we help people stay well and get well, find cures, and fight back against cancer.

Run for ACS!

The Boeing Center for Children’s Wellness, formerly known as the Lean Team, was created in 2010 and is aligned with the MUSC Children’s Hospital. Our mission is to reduce childhood obesity in South Carolina by incentivizing schools throughout the state to create healthier school environments. SC ranks the 8th fattest in adult obesity and the 3rd fattest in childhood obesity. Not a statistic we are proud of but through our innovative “Docs Adopt” School Health Initiative we are impacting the counties with the most significant health disparities. We created a unique School Wellness Checklist Tool© that guides schools to make improvements in nutrition and physical activity offered during and after school time. In addition, we developed “Doc’s Adopt”© a program that trains physicians and matches them with a school’s wellness committee. Each participating Doctor “adopts” a school and works with that school to improve the health of staff, students and the school environment. About 200 schools in South Carolina participate and our model is recommended in SC as the obesity prevention school-based model (www.SCaledown.org) and is being piloted in 10 schools in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. Our model is currently implemented for free to qualifying school districts. Each qualifying school receives a Wellness Achievement Award of $1000 and one grand-prize winning school per district receives an extra $2000 for continuation of wellness initiatives. We are a 501c3 organization under the MUSC Children’s Hospital Foundation but funds must be directed to “Boeing Center for Children’s Wellness”. We depend on donations and grants to help schools in need and we appreciate any amount that bridge runners or their families and friends may be willing to contribute.

Run for Boeing Center for Children’s Wellness!

MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital is the premier Children’s Hospital in the southeast.  We are the only Children’s Hospital in the State of South Carolina providing bone marrow transplants, heart surgery, burn center, and a pediatric emergency room that is open 24-7.  No child is ever turned away that is in need of care regardless of their ability to pay.  Every day at MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital, we meet brave children and their families who are in need of hope, answers and above all, care.  For us, meeting the needs of these children and families serves as the driving force behind every one of our missions-from critical care and laboratory research to medical education and children’s health advocacy.

Run for MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital!

Pet Helpers is a private, nonprofit 501(c)3 Rescue and Adoption Center and low-cost Spay/Neuter & Veterinary Center that serves communities across the Lowcountry. Our mission is to end the euthanasia of all adoptable cats and dogs by keeping all animals until adopted; providing low cost spay/neuter surgeries; offering humane education programs; pursuing animal-cruelty prosecution; and initiating animal-welfare legislation.

Run for Pet Helpers!

The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Charleston is a 32 bedroom home where families stay while their children undergo extensive medical treatment. Here, parents and children lead a life as normal as possible during their traumatic times without the financial burden of costly hotel and travel expenses. Our home offers these families’ comfortable beds, hot meals, a caring staff, and a four-legged friend, Gardy, all just steps from the hospital.

The Ronald McDonald Family Room at MUSC provides a sanctuary within the walls of the hospital where family members can rest, read, shower or have a cup of coffee while still being only minutes away from their seriously ill child.

Run for Ronald McDonald House!

The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community.

Run for Special Olympics!

THRIVE SC provides emergency and longer-term transitional housing, cutting-edge services, and resources for women and children from ALL income levels and focuses not only on the immediate needs of safety, but also on the longer-term tools needed for a life of independence and empowerment. Unlike traditional domestic violence shelters, THRIVE SC focuses on independent, non-communal living by replacing the customary, shared living space setting with modern, individual efficiencies. This progressive approach helps residents and families to heal by providing much-needed autonomy. Such privacy fosters the re-establishment of dignity, as most abuse victims are deprived of personal space and are often subjected to strict and harsh rules within a typical shelter environment. This innovative program is being developed with stringent adherence to current best practice models, most notably, the extremely successful Domestic Violence Housing First program in Washington State. The organization is currently working on a site a that will provide multiple levels of transitional housing for domestic violence survivors and their children. THRIVE SC offers client-centered case management; therapy programs for adults and children; 12 step programs; legal advocacy and assistance; on-site childcare; life skills courses, including financial literacy; community education and awareness events; and legislative advocacy.

Run for Thrive SC!

The Metro Exchange Club of Charleston is proud to team up again this year with Windwood Family Services, to volunteer staff for the Bridge Run and help raise money for the prevention of child abuse. Windwood Family Services provides residential, outpatient and outreach therapeutic programing designed to prevent or heal child abuse and neglect. Since 1985, Windwood has served more than 600 boys in their residential program in Awendaw, SC. Here, boys that have endured intense abuse and neglect, learn how to process their past, emotionally regulate their behaviors and strive for a brighter future – breaking the cycle of abuse. In 2011, Windwood opened their outpatient program in Mt. Pleasant, SC. This program works with men, women and children of all ages. Our highly trained clinicians handle depression, anxiety, divorce adjustment, adolescent adjustment, parenting advice and behavioral issues. Adding to the array of services in 2012, Windwood partnered with the state of South Carolina in the Appropriate Response program. To date, Windwood has provided resources and support to more than 1,100 Lowcountry families in Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester Counties, in an effort to prevent abuse and neglect in high risk situations. Visit us here for more information on our programs and services.

Run for Windwood Family Services!

The only National Cancer Institute-Designated Cancer Center in South Carolina, Hollings is at the forefront of cancer research. This research is the driving force behind delivering medical advances to patients and their families, enabling us to educate health care professionals and the public, and to establish outreach services for underserved populations. This year, more breakthroughs will be discovered. More cancer patients will find hope. And Hollings Cancer Center will be on the leading edge of offering better options to patients. As a cancer center that combines patient care and research, Hollings brings together over 120 physicians and scientists who are driving the discoveries that will lead to tomorrow’s treatments.

Run for Hollings Cancer Center!