St. Margaret Foundation's Demchak Hope Challenge breaks fund-raising records

A virtual fundraiser for the St. Margaret Foundation’s Brian Demchak Hope Challenge presented by PNC broke records this year, the foundation has announced.

Two-hundred participants, 39 fundraising pages and 26 sponsors raised a total of $157,175.

Participants walked, ran, swam, played sports and walked their pets from May 14-20, generating donations that will be used to help provide assistance for patients in crisis.

Participants got creative in raising money, said Foundation President Mary Lee Gallon, with swim parties, steep hill walks, bike rides, pickleball games, Peloton exercise, hiking and disc golf. There were three organized swimming events by Flying Fish Heads Master Swimming, a Barre Class event, and an RIDC walk.

“It was comforting to see people having fun, staying healthy and filling in the gaps with hope, healing and independence for our patients in crisis,” Gannon said.

Everyone received a Hope Challenge T-shirt, a finishers medal and a wind spinner that was placed in the hospital’s garden in honor or memory of a loved one.

The fund-raiser is named for Brian Demchak and his mother, Marie Louise “Tina” Demchak. They made it a family tradition to run in the Foundation’s 5K until Brian passed away in 2016 at the age of 57.

“St. Margaret Foundation is honored to have the generosity of this community in support our patients in crisis,” said Gannon.

Proceeds provide medication not covered by insurance, transportation to chemotherapy and other treatments, insulin, walkers, food pantry items and more for under-resourced patients of UPMC St. Margaret.

More information is available from: https://www.stmargaretfoundation.org/challenge or call 412-784-4215.