This year marks ten years in remission for Springfield resident Mason Ryan. At the age of 15 months, Mason was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome, a rare blood cancer. He underwent 6 months of inpatient chemotherapy provided by the INOVA Health Foundation at Fairfax Hospital. His grateful parents, Mitchell and Kim Ryan, started the Boldly Gold Foundation to raise money to help other local families navigating the care and treatment of a child with cancer.
The 8th annual See Mason Run 5K will be held this year on Saturday, Sept. 13 at 9 a.m. at Laurel Hill Park, 8780 Lorton Road, Lorton, VA. Because this is Mason's tenth year in remission, the Ryans have set an ambitious fundraising goal: $100,000 to go to the INOVA Health Foundation. Besides the 5K, they are also planning a KidsFest and Silent Auction the day of the 5K. There are other ways to donate to this very worthy local cause as well.
The Boldly Gold Foundation is dedicated to providing physical, emotional, and financial support to children and families impacted by childhood cancer. Since 2016, we have donated over $53,000 to support these families, and in 2025, we are setting an ambitious goal: to raise $100,000 for the INOVA Health Foundation to assist children and families facing childhood cancer.
Why This Matters:
Each year, over 15,700 children are diagnosed with cancer, making it the leading cause of death by disease among children. Families not only face emotional and physical challenges but also financial hardships due to medical expenses and lost wages from caring for their child. The Boldly Gold Foundation is committed to alleviating these burdens by providing direct support to families in need.
We are rallying our community through multiple fundraising efforts, including:
• See Mason Run 5K: Our annual 5K run/walk event, bringing communities together to honor and support childhood cancer warriors. The 2025 race is scheduled for September 13 at 9 AM at Laurel Hill Park.
• Be a Champion Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Campaign: A grassroots effort where individuals and teams commit to raising funds for childhood cancer. Our goal is to recruit 25 individuals to raise $1,000 each and groups to raise $5,000 each.
• Community Engagement Events: Various activities throughout the year to spread awareness and engage supporters in the cause.
How You Can Help:
We are asking for businesses and individuals to support this effort by:
• Making a donation to help us reach our $100,000 goal.
• Sponsoring an event like the See Mason Run 5K
• Becoming a fundraiser through our Be a Champion campaign and rallying your network to make a difference.
Visit www.boldlygold.org or contact us at Kim Ryan at kryan@boldlygold.org