On Tuesday, October 16, Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation received a Special Award at the Dutchess County Economic Development Council’s 2012 Business Excellence Awards ceremony. The mission of the DC EDC is to attract, retain, and expand for-profit and not-for-profit businesses for the benefit of Dutchess County [website].
On November 2, 2011, the Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation awarded to the St. Francis Hospital Team the prize and recognition as the Team with the most walkers and the Team who raised the most money at the Community Walk for Breast Cancer supporting Miles of Hope on October 2.
On April 11, 2011, the Dutchess County Board of Health presented its annual Public Health Partnership Award to the Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation. The Public Health Partnership Award is given to organizations which demonstrate leadership, innovation and community involvement in the spirit of creating healthy communities.
On June 8, 2010, the Greater Southern Dutchess Chamber of Commerce presented its inaugural “Spirit of Empowerment Award” to Miles of Hope founders Dana Effron and Kathy Varunouk, in recognition of their “deep commitment to inspiring and empowering other women”.
On April 10, 2010, Support Connection, Inc. (Westchester County), a not-for-profit organization that provides free, confidential services to those affected by breast and ovarian cancer, presented Miles Of Hope with their Spirit Of Community Award for 2010. Miles of Hope was presented with Support Connection’s Spirit of Community Award because they have given grant funding to support the group’s services for women with breast cancer every year since 2004. The Support Connection programs funded by Miles of Hope have included community outreach, support groups, wellness classes and most significantly, Peer-to-Peer Counseling.
On September 13, 2009, the Community Foundation of Dutchess County held its 16h Annual Garden Party in honor of, among others, Dana Effron.
A marketing consultant for the Lee Wayne Corporation, Dana Effron has been an involved member of the Hudson Valley community, most notably as a co-founder of the Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation. She has served on many local boards including the Dutchess County Arts Council, New York Stage & Film Hudson Valley Advisory Board, American Red Cross, Jewish Federation of Dutchess County, Temple Beth-El, Jewish Community Center, Hospice, Inc. and Mid-Hudson Hebrew Day School.
Miles of Hope board member Dr. Angela Keleher received Local Hero Award from Susan G. Komen Foundation and BMW. Dr. Keleher the breast surgeon at Vassar Brother Medical Center Dyson Center for Cancer Care.
Cathy Varunok received the award for Merit of Practice from the New York State Occupational Therapy Association in Buffalo New York.
Miles of Hope co-founder Cathy Varunok received Local Hero Award from Susan G. Komen Foundation and BMW.
Cathy Varunok was voted one of the 2007 Yoplait Champions by Yoplait®, Susan G. Komen for the Cure and SELF magazine. The 2007 Yoplait Champions are 25 ordinary women and men doing extraordinary things in their local communities to help in the fight against breast cancer.
Foundation Co-founder Dana Effron was honored as a "Local Hero" by BMW for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
The Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation was honored by the Association of Development Officers as the Outstanding Philanthropic Foundation of 2006.
