Hollie’s Road to Boston

Raising funds, even for a charitable cause, involves passion. Not only do fundraisers need to create buy-in both emotionally and financially from their audience, they also need to give their energy to efforts that are sustainable and effective toward long-term goals. If you’re a runner, you’re out chasing your goal quite literally. It may be a faster mile, greater endurance, or keeping fit. For Hollie, the goal is the Boston marathon. But her goal means so much more than only completing a race. What motivates her is running for a cause she cares about, one that impacts her personally. In this blog post, you’ll hear about Hollie’s journey to Boston, the reason she keeps running, and how to start endurance event fundraising.

What is endurance event fundraising?

Endurance event fundraising is a sporting competition that takes place over long distances, such as a marathon or triathlon, and also raises money for charities. For example, events can be sponsored by an organization to support a nonprofit with runners signing up to participate and help raise funds.

A popular way to raise money this way is individual runners accepting pledges that they will then donate to the charity of their choice. This method of athlete fundraising gives both those who donate and the runner stake in the outcome. Benefactors support the fundraising campaign financially and get to cheer on their athlete. In turn, the runner receives donations for their chosen cause and encouragement to finish the race strong.

Meet Hollie: runner and survivor

Hollie Nelsen has always been an athlete. She attended college with a basketball scholarship and competed in many different endurance events. “I’m an ultrarunner and finished first in my age group for the Keys 100 race. I ran a 24 hour race and finished with 82 miles. I also finished first female at the JW Corbett 50miler. I've completed a 70.3 half ironman in Augusta, GA,” she tells us.

Hollie is a wife, a teacher, and a carer of her various pets including two dogs, a bearded dragon, and many aquatic friends. She drives a bus at her school for sporting events and field trips and coaches girls’ cross country as well as boys’ soccer. And at age 46, on February 10th, 2025, she was diagnosed with stage three ovarian cancer. 

Before her diagnosis, Hollie was already on the road to the Boston marathon, even if she didn’t know it yet. An invitation from a friend to join a running club led to chasing the next event, the next distance, the next triumphant cross of the finish line. “I never thought I would be able to run a half marathon, but I set it as a goal,” she says. “Once I reached that goal, I wanted to know what’s next.”

This progression to each new goal continued until her diagnosis. During treatment, she went through a major debulking surgery, hysterectomy, and six rounds of chemotherapy. She explains, “I had a rough recovery. I ended up with an ulcer … and fluid on my lung. Worst pain in my entire life!”

Now, she is declared to have no evidence of disease. Hollie’s road to Boston is a fight to get back to what she loves with a newfound motivation — to make a difference for others with her diagnosis. She runs to support the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition.

Finding motivation as a charity athlete

The National Ovarian Cancer Coalition supports those with Hollie’s diagnosis beyond simply resources. They come alongside those in treatment to help provide meals, support groups and programs (for both patients as well as caregivers), financial assistance, and wellness days — all to help people live productive, dignified lives and minimize the isolation that can creep in when facing a difficult diagnosis.

Hollie recalls the moment in June of 2025 she realized she could merge her passion for running with her new reality. “As I was sitting on my couch recovering from major surgery, I turned on the TV and watched the Boston Marathon. … As I sat there wondering if I would ever run again — and if I did, whether I could ever run another marathon — I noticed the NOCC cheer station in Newton on TV as runners passed by. My heart leapt. I started shouting and telling my family, ‘I’m going to run the Boston Marathon!’ They thought I was crazy, but I told them that was my sign — a sign that I would run again, and that now I had a real purpose for running.” 

“Imagine recovering from ovarian cancer surgery and seeing an ovarian cancer group — NOCC Team Teal — on TV!” Hollie continues. “This was truly my turning point that I was not only going to get through recovery, but I was going to thrive! From that moment, I knew I had to do everything possible to be chosen as part of Team Teal for the Boston Marathon. That day on my couch, watching the race, I realized that I would run again — and I needed both a purpose and a race to train for.”

This realization became Hollie’s “why.” Finding your “why” is so crucial for any goal, but especially for fundraising. Supporters give enthusiastically when you convey how important your cause is to you and the passion you bring to your fundraising efforts.

Sports fundraising presents the unique opportunity to channel this passion into more than your communication. Fundraising athletes get to show their benefactors just how much that support means during their event. This is also what keeps Hollie running and fundraising for ovarian cancer. “There are so many people out there that can’t do what I’m doing, so I’m doing it for them.”

How to start marathon fundraising

If you want to run for charity, there are a few steps you can take to start your fundraising journey today.

First, think about your “why.” What cause do you believe in? What are you willing to stand behind while you put your strength and endurance on the line? What do you care about that you think others should care about too? As Hollie says, “Come up with a plan. … The major marathons and other races have charity bibs for many different organizations. Find one that is meaningful to you and apply to fundraise for them.”

Next, brainstorm where you can ask for support. What is your network like? How can you effectively share about your cause and what you’re doing to support it? “I started with family and friends, then coworkers, and then social media and local businesses,” Hollie says. “You just have to ask. … I had no idea how many people are willing to give. Fundraising takes a lot of time and effort into planning and executing the events. You need to get people to help you.”

And finally, you will need to train. If you’re already an athlete, this is no surprise. If you’re hoping to break into this world of marathon fundraising for the first time, you have a difficult but rewarding road ahead of you. Tap into your community for encouragement and support. Take a page out of Hollie’s book and draw from your own “why” to keep your momentum going. “For me, Boston represents more than just a race,” explains Hollie. “It’s the ultimate symbol of perseverance, community, and pride in the running world. Every mile of that course carries over a century of history, grit, and heart. Earning a chance to run Boston isn’t simply about chasing a time; it’s about honoring the miles, the setbacks, and the strength it took to get there — both as a runner and as an ovarian cancer survivor.”

Supporting Hollie to Boston and beyond 

The role your network plays in fundraising is key to the success of any campaign. Some of Hollie’s highlights of her road to Boston wouldn’t be possible without her community pouring into her cause. She’s received so much support from the school where she works, her students, her trainer, and the running community as a whole. For example, in 2025, St. Pete Run Fest set up a designated spot for her Cans for Cancer fundraiser, allowing participants to drop off aluminum cans and scrap metal to help raise money.

Luckily, Hollie has a great team around her, from supporters to friends, family, and her medical team. “I have been absolutely amazed by the quality of care given by my care team,” she commends. “The team at Florida Cancer Specialists is always so supportive and knowledgeable. Dr. Guancial and Nurse Jackson are wonderful! I love the connection we’ve made and I feel so comfortable putting my health in their hands. Dr. Long did a terrific job with my surgery. I am so thankful for her dedication!” 

If you’d like to join Hollie’s fundraising journey, be sure to cheer her on during the 2026 Boston marathon in April! Check out her fundraising page here and consider offering your support financially as well. Her goal is $21,025, a nod to her diagnosis date. Thank you, Hollie, for sharing your story with us and striving to make a difference by fundraising for the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition.