Charity Walks in the Washington, DC Area

Charity Walks are a wonderful way to improve your own health and raise money for worthwhile Washington, DC area charities at the same time. Special events are held each year, providing the perfect opportunity to volunteer some time, set exercise goals and make new friends. Here is the schedule of upcoming walks in the Washington, DC area, including Maryland and Virginia:

National Walk for Epilepsy - Washington, DC
March 28, 2009
The 2 mile walk along the National Mall raises money for the Epilepsy Foundation to ensure that people with seizures are able to participate in all life experiences; and to prevent, control and cure epilepsy through research, education, advocacy and services.

Walk for Lupus Now - Washington, DC
April 18, 2009
The walk supports education programs, outreach services and research for people with lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease that causes inflammation and can affect various parts of the body, especially the kidneys, skin, joints and blood.

National Kidney Foundation Kidney Walk
Prince Georges County, MD - April 19, 2009
This inaugural walk in Prince George's County will be held at the Mall in Prince George’s in Hyattsville, Maryland to increase awareness about kidney disease among high risk individuals and provide free testing and educational information, so that kidney disease and its complications can be prevented or delayed.

Stop the Silence- Washington, DC
April 19, 2009
The 10K Race and 5K Pledge Walk is organized to support the prevention and treatment of child sexual abuse. Proceeds from the race will support the organization's community outreach, law enforcement and training.

MS Walk - National MS Society, National Capital Chapter
April 25-26, 2009
This walk, sponsored by Booz Allen Hamilton, is a fun, family oriented event, taking place in six different neighborhoods in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. You can participate in DC, Manassas, Reston, Potomac, Oxon Hill, or Bowie. Walkers raise awareness and money to benefit the fight against multiple sclerosis.

Arthritis Walks in the Washington, DC Area
April 25, 2009 - Fairfax, VA
May 2, 2009 - Greenbelt, MD
May 30, 2009 - National Mall, Washington, DC
The Arthritis Foundation's signature event raises funds and awareness to fight arthritis, the nation's most common cause of disability. Participants walk in honor of a friend or family member in a three-mile or one-mile course and take part in activities for the entire family.

Avon Walk for Breast Cancer - Washington, DC
May 2-3, 2009
The Avon Walk is a marathon walk spread-out over a Saturday and Sunday. You can walk as far as you choose or up to 39 miles throughout the weekend. In order to participate as a walker in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, each person commits to raising a minimum of $1,800 towards the fight against breast cancer.

Relay for Life - Many Locations in the Washington, DC Area
Dates Vary
Relay for Life is an American Cancer Society fundraiser, an overnight activity where teams of people gather at schools, fairgrounds, or parks and take turns walking or running laps. This charitable event brings a community together to raise money to prevent, detect, and treat cancer.

Race for Hope
Washington, DC - May 3, 2009
This is a 5K walk/run with the goal of raising $1.5 million to fund innovative brain tumor research and support for families affected by this devastating disease. Proceeds benefit two not-for-profit organizations, the Brain Tumor Society and Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure. The race includes a Kids' Fun Run, the Wall of Hope, and tributes to brain tumor survivors.

Walk to Empower: Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization
Washington, DC - Sunday, May 10, 2009
The 3-mile, non-competitive walk is held every Mother's Day morning to promote breast health awareness and to honor cancer victims and survivors. Meet on the National Mall. There is no registration fee. Y-ME encourages each participant to set a fundraising goal of $100.

Great Strides for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation- Many Locations in the DC Area
Dates Vary (May 2009)
People within a local community form teams through their workplace, clubs and organizations or with friends and family. The walk is a fun, family-oriented celebration that includes kids activities, food, and festivities.

National Police Week 5K
May 16, 2009
The annual event raises awareness and funding for Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS), a not-for-profit organization that honors law enforcement officers who have given their lives while serving in the line of duty. The 5K will begin on 3rd and E Street, NW and will finish on 4th Street, NW, near the National Law Enforcement Memorial.

Walk to Cure Diabetes
Washington, DC - May 31, 2009
The 3K walk and 1.5K family fun walk beginning at Nationals Stadium is sponsored by the Capitol Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Music is provided by Mix 107.3 and families can enjoy live entertainment, children's activities, and snacks donated by vendors.

Northern Virginia - June 7, 2009
Walkers raise more than $250,000 each year for diabetes research at this 5K Walk and 2.5K Family Fun Walk at Lansdowne Resort in Loudoun County, VA. This charity walk is sponsored by the Capitol Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Music is provided by Mix 107.3 and families can enjoy live entertainment, children's activities, and snacks donated by vendors.

Susan G. Komen National Race for the Cure
Washington, DC - Saturday, June 6, 2009.
The 5K event raises funds for breast health and breast cancer education, screening and treatment programs for the medically underserved. The race gathers together more than 40,000 participants from across the country, including more than 3,000 breast cancer survivors. Meet at the National Mall.

Strides to Thrive Walk
Gaithersburg, MD - Sunday, June 14, 2009. Rio Washingtonian Center. The walk will benefit the Jewish Foundation for Group Homes (JFGH), an organization that provides support and services for adults with disabilities in the DC metropolitan area.

See Fall Charity Walks on Page 2