04/28/2025
Important Update from The Crystal Heart Foundation
It’s with a heavy heart that I share some important news about The Crystal Heart Foundation and our annual races.
Since founding the organization in 2018 in memory of my sister, The Crystal Heart Foundation has been able to contribute over $8,000 directly to Cloud Peak Counseling for their free walk-in clinic and the new Lighthouse Crisis Center in Worland, focused on su***de prevention. We could not have done so without the continued support from generous sponsors such as Rocky Mountain Power, Wyoming Gas, Washakie Hospital Foundation and many others.
Thanks to our amazing participants and the generous matches from Blue Cross Blue Shield through WyoGives, we’ve raised an additional $4,000—making an incredible impact right here in our community.
Over the years, our 5K, half marathon, and, most recently, the ultramarathon have grown beyond what I could have ever imagined. Your support, enthusiasm, and heart have been overwhelming — and it’s been my privilege to organize these events as a labor of love.
However, behind the scenes, it has largely been a one-woman operation, supported only by the unwavering kindness of my close friends, family, and a small handful of volunteers. As the race has grown, so have the demands — and despite the incredible enthusiasm from our runners, we’ve struggled year after year to find enough hands to keep up.
At the same time, my own children are growing up fast, and these days, weekends are filled with soccer games, softball tournaments, and memories that I can’t afford to miss. These moments are fleeting, and after much thought — and a lot of heartbreak — I have made the very difficult decision to cancel our race for this year and for the foreseeable future.
This decision was not made lightly. The Crystal Heart Foundation and our mission will always hold a special place in my heart.
If there’s someone out there who feels called to take over the foundation and continue this mission, I would happily hand over the reins and offer my full support during the transition.
Thank you all — from the bottom of my heart — for every step you've run, every dollar you've donated, and every word of encouragement you've shared.
You have made a difference. You have honored my sister's memory. And you have shown the best of what a community can be.
With gratitude,
Nikki Donahue
Crystal Heart Foundation
