Donna Deegan

Donna Deegan is a Jacksonville native. She graduated from Bishop Kenny High School and received her BS in Communications from Florida State University.

After graduating from FSU, Donna started a career in broadcasting which culminated in a 28 year role as a lead anchor at First Coast News in Jacksonville. She now hosts a quarterly one hour special: One of One with Donna.

In 2012 Donna left her nightly news duties to lead her two charitable foundations : The Donna Foundation, and 26.2 With Donna The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer.

As a three time breast cancer survivor and avid marathoner, Donna was inspired to establish the annual race 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer. 26.2 with Donna is the only marathon in the country that is dedicated exclusively to raising funds for breast cancer research and care.

Donna is a published author of two books. Her first book, The Good Fight, chronicles her second bout with breast cancer and the on-line journal that she kept during that time. Her second book, Through Rose Colored Glasses, A Marathon From Fear to Love, takes the fight out of cancer. She combines the will of a three-time survivor, with the heart of a marathoner to change the view from fear to love.

“The biggest difference, and what I hope people will take away from this book, is that you can separate fear from cancer, and you can separate fight from cancer and not only can you, if you do, I think you have a much better chance of doing well.” – Donna Deegan

During her career, Donna has received many awards including the Jacksonville Business Journal Women of Influence Award in 2004, The Enterprising Women’s Leadership Award in 2005, The Florence Davis Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007, the prestigious Eve Award for volunteer service in 2008, and the JU Community Woman of the Year in 2013. Donna is also a Guest Expert for the International Association of Women Runners.