We create a stage for heroes
Runway redefines the experience of breast cancer for families in three ways.
Community
After twelve Boston area events, the Runway community has grown to include hundreds of former Runway "models," a spirited tribe of supporters, and a growing cohort of beneficiaries who have received funding from Runway. Part of Runway's mission is to provide opportunities for connection, shared experience, and healing within this community. To serve as a platform for those affected by breast cancer to find hope, support, and a tribe, ready and willing to offer a hand. We do this by offering options for connection both virtually and in person throughout the year.
Event
Each year, we invite our community to nominate models who have been affected by breast cancer to dance down our Runway in a celebration of life. The event, held annually in October, attracts hundreds of people to cheer on our models. Local and national boutiques, hair and makeup artists, volunteers, and past models collaborate to pamper models for their trip down the Runway, demonstrating their strength and persistence. The event is the cornerstone of the Runway mission to celebrate families, survivors, and warriors undergoing treatment.
Families
The fundraising we do through the event and auction, and the generous contributions of our community not only cover our nonprofit operations and programs, but allow us to deploy funding toward families who have lost their mother to breast cancer. With careful stewardship, Runway bolsters these families with a combination of financial support and wraparound services from counseling to academic support. The needs of each family differ immensely, and so does the support they receive from Runway.
Our History
Six years after losing my mother to a decade-long fight against breast cancer, I resolved to find an aspect of the disease where I could honor my mother’s memory and make a difference for other families fighting their own battles with breast cancer. For twelve years, brave survivors and those walking in memory or celebration have become models at the Runway fashion show. They have raised funds to help children who have lost their mothers to the disease, and have provided opportunities for caregivers. As survivors, the models epitomize heroism and strength. They carry with them the spirits of all those who have lost their battle with breast cancer, and the families and communities that stood by them.
Over the years, the proceeds from the fashion show, silent auction, and sponsorships of this annual event have primarily benefited the Tufts Cancer Center Candace MacMillen Achtmeyer Fund and The Massachusetts General Hospital Patient and Caregiver Fund, under the direction of Dr. Jack Erban. These unique funds have addressed many of the financial, logistical, and emotional burdens associated with caring for a loved one with breast cancer, including grief counseling, lodging near hospitals, and other vital comforts for both families of patients and those who provide care.
As Runway moves into the next decade of its existence, it will continue to work with Boston hospitals along with a variety of other organizations to make sure that we are supporting the families most in need of our assistance after losing a parent to breast cancer.
-Olivia Achtmeyer Boger
Founder, Executive Director of Runway
Our Mission
Runway honors and supports families affected by breast cancer and dedicates resources to support children who have lost caregivers to the disease.
Runway directs vital funds to children who are affected by breast cancer to lessen the burden and obstacles of losing a caregiver to the disease. We foster a sense of community within the families, children, and survivors that we work with to inspire joy in the midst of a seemingly hopeless time.
Days until next Runway
Why We Walk
Meet Our Committee
Olivia Achtmeyer Boger, Tory Bois, Tysie Webber, Caroline Dabney, Madeline Demoulas, Caroline O’Donnell, Dewey MacMillen, Alex Hanken, Ayres Heller, Meggie Patterson, Ashley Anderson
We need your help
The Runway community has been fortunate enough to meet over 250 men, women, and children who have been affected by breast cancer. All the funds, over $900K since our founding, goes to wrap-around services for families after losing a parent to breast cancer. We join them to celebrate life, love, and their strength. We are lucky to be a part of it all.
We want nothing more than to continue changing the lives of those affected by this disease in big ways and small. This is where you come in! Any donation truly helps and we are extremely grateful.
