Volunteering Since the Beginning
For the past 16 years, Miles for Moffitt presented by AutoNation has been a staple in the Tampa Bay community, raising over $7 million for lifesaving cancer research. And Moffitt Cancer Center nurse Lori Fox has been volunteering since the beginning.
Fox, who has been a team member at the cancer center for almost 35 years, started volunteering for Miles for Moffitt when the event was held on the University of South Florida’s Tampa campus.
Volunteers prepare fruit refreshments during the 2018 Miles for Moffitt.
“I started volunteering when the event was across the street from the Magnolia campus. Runners ran past the hospital and around the campus, which encouraged other staff to become involved,” said Fox.
Wanting to be involved and help fundraise for the cancer center herself, Fox started participating in the annual event. She says it has been very rewarding.
“Miles for Moffitt reminds me of how fortunate I am to have survived cancer and to be employed at such an important cancer facility,” said Fox. “It is rewarding to be there as a volunteer, cheering others on to the finish line, providing information and direction, or even handing out bottled water.”
Being a longstanding Miles for Moffitt volunteer has left Fox with many memories. But her greatest memory was watching a young dad and his toddler son participate in honor of his late wife, noting how it touched her heart to see the beautiful woman on the T-shirts the young family wore.
As a cancer survivor, Miles for Moffitt is more than just an event to her since funds raised support groundbreaking research to find cures.
“It is important to fund ongoing research to improve patient treatments and outcomes. We all have been affected by cancer in some way, either personally, a family member or a friend,” Fox said. “As a cancer survivor, I want to see others benefit from future research.”
In addition to its cause, Fox says she also volunteers for Miles for Moffitt because it is an uplifting and positive experience for all who attend.
“It is nice to see patients, families and co-workers participating together all for the same goal,” said Fox. “Miles for Moffitt brings people together as a team to run in honor or memory of those battling cancer.”
Join Fox and all of the event volunteers at this year’s Miles for Moffitt on Nov. 20 in downtown Tampa.
Moffitt continues to monitor the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state guidelines on the COVID-19 pandemic and anticipates providing Miles for Moffitt participants the option of joining in person or virtually. We will provide regular updates on all safety precautions as the event nears.
For more information or to register for the 2021 Miles for Moffitt, visit www.MilesforMoffitt.com.
