Cross Out Cancer is Tampa’s first annual 5K race that high school Cross Country teams from around Tampa are putting together in order to create an event that can change the lives at All Children’s Hospital. With inspiration and a yearn for helping others in the community, Lizzie Dolan is a primary founder in the creation of this 5k that raises awareness about the struggle that goes beyond just the chemo and hospital visits.

Dolan’s hopes and aspirations for this event is that it truly makes a difference in cancer patients’ lives: “I originally came up with the idea to begin a fundraiser 5k after attending a summer cancer camp in Seattle that just about changed my life. There, I got to bond with not just the cancer child, but their entire family.” 

This spectacular event is something that Lizzie holds dear to her heart — she has seen firsthand the detrimental effect cancer has on a person and their family: “Cancer is something that wrecks lives; every part of them, to put it in blunt words. So when I came home last year, I decided I wanted to do something that would help families in my community going through cancer and combine running, so thus the idea of a fundraiser 5k was formed.” Dolan is also a third-year Varsity Cross Country runner on Academy’s high school team and is Co-Captain with senior Jaime Jurado.

“I really envision this to be proof that you do not need to be an adult to start a change in your community, that you do not need to be 18 or 20 or 25 to follow a dream of yours, that you can do it now. I really want to have this become an event where all high schools in Tampa participate and raise money and that it becomes not just defined as a cross country-lead event but a high school-lead fundraiser where kids are coming from all places to support a cause that only gets about 5% of total cancer fundraising” comments Dolan.

The breakthrough for this 5k is unbelievable. The idea began in March of last year and the progress it has made is marvelous: “It’s been a tough process so far, handling it between school and other activities, but my whole board has been working so hard to craft something so spectacular and I am so excited now” remarks Dolan.

Something that makes Lizzie’s story just that more incredible is that she has her best friend junior, Lindsay Calka, next to her every step of the way. Calka is a third-year Varsity Cross Country runner and attended the summer camp with Dolan as well. With Calka on board for Xout Cancer, the two create the perfect dynamic duo. After discussing the remarkable progression this event has undergone, Calka exclaimed, “After going to camp this summer, this race means so much more to me. I am no longer doing this to support my best friend, but for the family I spent the week with in Seattle, and the myriad of families just like them.”

At 16, Dolan has already accomplished so much and truly embodies “to be rather than to seem.” Academy is proud to have such an outstanding, dedicated, and, genuinely good hearted person and student. “There’s a lot that needs to get done, but there’s a lot of potential for it.” – Lizzie Dolan

Board Members:

Lizzie Dolan

Lindsay Calka

Jaime Jurado

Myles Hahn

Brett Gajewski

 To donate, learn more information or sign up, visit:   https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/Tampa/CrossOutCancer5k