The walk will take place on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at Palmer Park (Pavilion #1) in Donora, PA. Registration and check-in will be at 9:00 AM, and the walk will begin at 10:00 AM.
Every dollar collected from the event will go directly to Penn Highlands Mon Valley to help ensure that our families, friends and neighbors have access to world-class cancer care and comprehensive support services here in our community.
While the walk has historically focused on breast cancer awareness, this year’s event has expanded its mission to recognize, honor and support the fight against all types of cancer. To reflect this new focus, organizers are encouraging all participants to personalize their walk-day attire and wear either the specific color of the cancer awareness they are walking in support of or lavender, which universally represents the fight against all cancers.
Beyond the one-mile scenic walk, the event promises to be a fantastic day out for the whole family, and will feature music, food and drinks, gift basket raffles, a 50/50 drawing and information and resources about local cancer support networks.
The Walk of Hope commemorates the legacy of Lois Orange Ducoeur, a remarkable local figure born in Charleroi in 1911. Alongside her husband, Fernand “Duke” Ducoeur, Lois co-managed their family business, Orange's Gift Department Store. During World War II, she ran the store and raised their children while Duke served in the U.S. Merchant Marines. In 1955, Lois was diagnosed with breast cancer. She fought the disease with bravery and grace for a decade before passing away in 1965. Today, her enduring legacy inspires a new generation of hope, bringing our communities together to fund critical cancer care and local support services.
For more information, contact the Penn Highlands Healthcare Fund Development team at 814-375-3901 or email [email protected].
See you at Palmer Park!
Thank you to our Sponsors!
The Pillars of Strength
MarBill Diamonds & Jewelry
The Hope Builders
Central Pennsylvania Blood Bank
2025 Lois Orange Ducoeur Breast Cancer Walk
October 11, 2025 was a great day for breast cancer patients and survivors in the Mon Valley Region! During the 22nd Annual Lois Orange Ducoeur Breast Cancer Walk, more than $13,500 was raised to provide comfort care items to breast cancer patients at Penn Highlands Mon Valley. The funds were raised from donations, sponsors and raffles.
Approximately 100 people dressed in pink participated in the fun event, which was held for the first time at Palmer Park Pavilion #1 in Donora, PA. The day included a one-mile walk, a huge selection of raffle baskets, half the take, a bracelet raffle donated by MarBill Diamonds and Jewelry, memorial ribbons, breakfast featuring pink donuts and music.
The program included brief remarks from Josh LaFleur, Regional Market President – Southwest Region for Penn Highlands Healthcare; Natalie Furgiuele, MD, FACS, a board-certified surgeon and the Director of the Penn Highlands Mon Valley Breast Program; Becky Brown, granddaughter of Lois Orange Ducoeur; and Ryan Pasternak, System Fund Development Manager, Major Gifts, Penn Highlands Healthcare.
Thank you to everyone who came out to walk, and remember and honor those fighting breast cancer! A special thank you to our Diamond Sponsor, the Penn Highlands Mon Valley Medical Staff.
The event would not be made possible without the event-day volunteers and the dedication of the committee members that included Penn Highlands Mon Valley employees Debbie Burkhardt (chairperson), Maryann Konsugar, Ryan Gray, Michele Haftman, Nicole Chiplaskey, and Lauren Altemara.
