MikeyStrong 5K (Draft)

Join us for a memorial 5KRun/2 mile Walk to celebrate Mikey Goodwin. Mikey was a vibrant 19 year old student athlete when diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) a rare and deadly form of brain cancer. Mikey lost his battle with DIPG and we are holding this 5K run/walk in his honor on his birthday, November 21, 2023. The run will honor Mikey and others lost to this deadly disease and raise funds to help others battle this cancer. The run/walk course is on the beach. 

Join us to celebrate Mikey, win some great prizes, learn more about this disease and help us raise funds to advance research and save lives. All profits from this event will be donated to find a cure from this deadly disease, help those battling DIPG.

What is DIPG?

Pediatric brain tumors are the most common type of solid childhood cancer, accounting for 1 out of 4 cancer diagnoses. DIPG is one of the deadliest forms of brain cancer in children and young adults stealing their ability to walk, talk, see, and hear but fully aware of what is going on. Despite major advancements in treatment of many other types of cancer, there is still no cure and minimal medical progress in treating patients with DIPG. DIPG took Mikey’s life and continues to steal the lives of many others.

Mikey Goodwin went after this devastating diagnosis with a vengeance, but sadly lost this battle only after three months and at a young age of just 19 years old. Currently there are two local Brevard county kids ages 6 and 7 who were recently diagnosed with DIPG and are fighting the fight right now, along with thousands of others throughout the nation. These kids need our help! Mikey is our inspiration, we miss him every day and his courage helps us continue to help others..because that’s the person he was.

DIPG, or diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, is a type of brain tumor found in an area of the brainstem known as the pons. The name diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma describes how the tumor grows, where it is found, and what kinds of cells give rise to the tumor. Diffuse means that the tumor is not well-contained – it grows out into other tissue so that cancer cells mix with healthy cells. Intrinsic simply means "in", referring to the point or origin. Pontine indicates that the tumor is found in a part of the brainstem called the pons. The pons is responsible for a number of important bodily functions, like breathing, sleeping, bladder control, and balance. Glioma is a general term for tumors originating from glial cells. Glial cells are found throughout the brain. They make up the white matter of the brain that surrounds and supports the neurons (neurons are cells that carry messages in the brain).

How can you help? Join us for the Run!

There is currently no cure for DIPG and we want to be part of the change! We are doing everything we can to help CRUSH DIPG. The Mikey Strong Foundation raises funds to help find a cure for DIPG and help those battling this deadly cancer. We have donated thousands to help make a difference and by joining us at this run you are helping us!

Since our inception we have:

• Developed the Mikey Goodwin Research Fund at the UF Shands. This fund directly supports children and young adults diagnosed with DIPG and other brain cancers. It helps families travel for treatment, funds cutting-edge research and directly benefits families during the toughest time of their lives. All proceeds donated through Mikey’s fund is matched 100% by corporate donors. 

• Donated thousands to Candlelighters of Brevard, Inc., is a non-profit organization offering emotional support and financial assistance to children and their families with cancer in Brevard and Indian River counties. 

• Donated thousands in donations to families suffering from this deadly disease: 

  • We provided money to help a family bring their 5-year old home to spend her last days in her own bed surrounded by loved ones.

  • We have helped multiple grieving families with funeral expenses.

  • We purchased hundreds of dollars in gift cards for families for gas to travel for treatment, food to eat on the road, money to pay for hotels, airline tickets and much more.

We are proud that 95% of all funds raised are donated to help others. The organization is run by volunteers.

Shockingly Only 4% of federal funding is allotted to childhood cancer. Support from foundations like ours is crucial. 

How can you help? Join us by sponsoring the Mikey Strong 5K. This 5K run and 2 mile walk is held annually at the new Mikey Goodwin playground at Nance Park in Indialantic on Mikey’s birthday. We celebrate and honor MIkey and raise money to support other families in the fight and help to find a cure for DIPG 

No child deserves a death sentence. Please join us and together help us CRUSH DIPG!