About the Nonprofit You're Helping

Connecting Champions asks kids & young adults with cancer, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" and connects them with a mentor for the cancer journey.

Through our in-person and virtual friendship programs, we’ve paired children & young adults in nine cities with mentors from over 50 different career paths, such as fashion design, robotics, zoology, and ghost hunting.

Our mentors visit on a weekly to monthly basis during treatment and into survivorship.
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Our evidence-based, outcomes-driven friendships help children & young adults better survive the cancer journey developmentally, socially, and emotionally.

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Registration is open! Join now!

​Our Goal: $5,000
​20 friendships

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Ready to join our team?
1. Click above to fill out the registration form! 
2. Our Team captains will reach out with a welcome email with Fundraising Information, and a training packet full of helpful information.
3. Register for the Pittsburgh Marathon* up until the day of the event OR choose to run your own race! 
4.. Fundraise through your own custom Connecting Champions Page. Once you reach your Fundraising Minimum you will get reimbursed for your race registration fee if you registered with the Pittsburgh Marathon!
*By registering for the Pittsburgh Marathon, you are agreeing to their registration fees and event terms. If the Marathon shall be cancelled or postponed given COVID-19, our team will choose to do an individual virtual race however all registration fees are subject to the Pittsburgh Marathon. 


​Questions? Contact us!
Alyssa Rapelje, Program Champion, alyssa@connectingchampions.org
Heather Grace, Team Captain - HeatherGraceThomas21@gmail.com 
Sara Thomas, 5K Team Captain -- Sarathomas1416@yahoo.com 

Read Friendship Stories

​By joining our team you will be part of a vibrant and passionate community while using your journey toward the Pittsburgh Marathon to raise funds to help kids with cancer. 

Perks of running with us:

• Running for a Reason 
• Reimbursement for race registration as a charity runner
• All the tools and information you need for successful fundraising
• Training schedule, tips, and advice
• FREE team dry-fit shirt/tank
• The support of a team working together for a common goal

Team members can participate in any of the Pittsburgh marathon events, including the Full Marathon, Half Marathon, Marathon Team Relay, 5K, Kids Marathon, Toddler Trot, and Pet Walk. Once you reach the fundraising minimum for your desired event, you will be offered a reimbursement for your race registration. As a charity runner, you are making the difference in the lives of Children and their Families. We can't wait to celebrate with your the day before the race at our Connecting Champions Team Carbload party where guest speakers will include Connecting Champions kids and alumni, and some of our hospital partners. (Stay Tuned for Virtual Options) 

Victoria Ondo-Burnfin was a Connecting Champions intern and mentor, and a special friend to children with cancer, even while enduring her own battle with the disease. She was a constant source of inspiration, teaching us to chase our dreams and not let anything, even cancer, hold us back. 

In October of 2018, Victoria's cousin, Heather Grace Thomas, approached us and asked to start a Connecting Champions Pittsburgh Marathon Team in Memory of Victoria. We were humbled and grateful for the opportunity to honor Victoria's memory through the smiles on our kids' faces and the hope in their eyes. #TeamVic 

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Register as an individual or as a relay team -- Help kids with cancer pursue their passions during the 2021 Pittsburgh Marathon! 

The 2019 Connecting Champions Pittsburgh Marathon Team in Memory of Victoria set the bar high in our first year as a team, both in terms of passion and love for our kids and their impact on our organization. With no shortage of drive and compassion, our team of 19 ran a collective 182.8 miles, raised $12,669, making 50 friendship moments possible for the kids in Connecting Champions, and began what we hope to be a Connecting Champions tradition for years to come. 

The 2020 Connecting Champions Pittsburgh Marathon Team in Memory of Victoria ran virtually due to COVID-19 this past May! We felt the passion, commitment and dedication from every single Team Member through photos, story sharing and Instagram posts. This team showed their resilience, strength and commitment to making a difference when faced with a challenge! We can't wait to see what we accomplish in 2021!  

Questions? Contact us!
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Alyssa Rapelje, Program Champion, alyssa@connectingchampions.org

Heather Grace Thomas, Team Captain -- HeatherGraceThomas21@gmail.com 

Alanna Figurelli, Team Captain -- Afigurelli5091@gmail.com ​
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Sara Thomas, 5k Team Captain -- Sarathomas1416@yahoo.com