Our Awards

2021 – Athena Award, Marie Cole – Miles of Hope Board Member
Presented by The Chamber Foundation Inc. and the Women’s Leadership Alliance of the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce.

2017 – Athena Award, Pari Forood – Miles of Hope Executive Director
Presented by The Chamber Foundation Inc. and the Women’s Leadership Alliance of the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Nov 2015 – Organization of the Year
On Friday, November 6, 2015, Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation was presented with the “Organization of the Year” award by the Junior League of Poughkeepsie at their annual Denim and Diamonds Gala.

Nov 2013 – Pillars of the Community Distinguished Service Award
On Saturday, November 2, 2013, Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation was presented with the Distinguished Service Award by the Greater Hudson Valley Family Health Center at the 14th Annual Pillars of the Community Awards Gala.

Oct 2012 – Dutchess County Economic Development Council 2012 Business Excellence Awards
On Tuesday, October 16, 2012, 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].

2011 – Athena Award, Cathay Varunok – Miles of Hope Co-Founder
Presented by The Chamber Foundation Inc. and the Women’s Leadership Alliance of the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Nov 2011 – Community Walk for Breast Cancer/Walk for Hope Top Team Award 2011

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.

Apr 2011 – Dutchess County BOH Public Health Partnership Award 2011

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.

Jun 2010 – Greater Southern Dutchess Chamber of Commerce “Spirit of Empowerment” Award 2010
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 Cathy Varunok in recognition of their “deep commitment to inspiring and empowering other women.”

Apr 2010 – Support Connection’s “Spirit of Community” Award 2010
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.

Sep 2009 – Community Foundation of Dutchess County Honors Dana Effron at Garden Party

On September 13, 2009, the Community Foundation of Dutchess County held its 16th Annual Garden Party in honor of, among others, Dana Effron.

Jun 2008 – Local Hero Award 2008

Miles of Hope board member Dr. Angela Keleher received the Local Hero Award from the Susan G. Komen Foundation and BMW. Dr. Keleher is the breast surgeon at Vassar Brother Medical Center Dyson Center for Cancer Care.

Sep 2007 – Merit of Practice Award 2007

Cathy Varunok received the award for Merit of Practice from the New York State Occupational Therapy Association in Buffalo, New York.

Jun 2007 – Local Hero Award 2007

Miles of Hope co-founder Cathy Varunok received the Local Hero Award from the Susan G. Komen Foundation and BMW.

Mar 2007 – Yoplait Chamption 2007

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.

Apr 2006 – Local Hero Award 2006

Foundation co-founder Dana Effron was honored as a “Local Hero” by BMW for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

2006 – Pillars of the Hudson Valley Award 2006

Hudson Valley Magazine

Nov 2006 – Outstanding Philanthropic Foundation 2006
The Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation was honored by the Association of Development Officers as the Outstanding Philanthropic Foundation of 2006.

Donate Now

Contact Us

  • By Phone:845-264-2005
  • To make a donation by check please make it out to Miles of Hope BCF and send it to us at:
  • Miles of Hope BCF
    P.O. Box 405
    Lagrangeville, NY 12540
  • Email Usinfo@milesofhope.org