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Bee Brave 5K

Sat October 4, 2025 Caledonia, MI 49316 US Directions

Bee Brave 5K was birthed out of a mission to do more in the battle against breast cancer. Having watched a dear friend fight this terrible disease, Pat Ringnalda created a 5K to raise funds in an effort to do just that and found like-minded individuals to join forces in raising funds. 

As a 100% volunteer organization, they became impassioned to find a facility that would use 100% of the funds they raised directly for breast cancer research. During their search, they discovered that an incredible research facility was right in their hometown of Grand Rapids at Van Andel Institute!

In the fall of 2015, Bee Brave proudly joined forces with Van Andel Institute in a cohesive and symbiotic relationship to maximize fundraising dollars in a way most organizations cannot. You can feel good about supporting Bee Brave because 100% of the money raised not only stays local when it's sent directly to Van Andel Institute, but VAI then uses 100% of that money for breast cancer research. 

More about Van Andel Institute:

Van Andel Institute began with a vision: to improve human health.

Founded by the Van Andel family in 1996, VAI is now home to nearly 500 scientists, educators and staff — each one of us deeply connected to the work we do and driven by an urgent desire to improve health and enhance lives.

Every day, we collaborate at the forefront of fundamental and translational science in pursuit of breakthrough treatment strategies for cancer, Parkinson’s and other diseases. Through shared values and an entrepreneurial spirit, we spark innovation to multiply the impact of discovery and answer critical questions for our world.

We believe that hope for tomorrow lives in the students of today. Our Graduate School offers a rigorous, research-intensive Ph.D. program that develops leaders in molecular and cellular biology. Our inquiry-based approaches for K–12 education help create classrooms where curiosity, creativity and critical thinking thrive.

A hub for ideas and advancements, the Institute is fueled by a community of bright minds who share a relentless curiosity and a deep commitment to make the world a better place.

At Van Andel Institute, we do more than dream about improving human health. We strive to make it a reality every day.

$130,034

Raised of $200,000

$0
$200,000

Top Donors

$130,034 Raised By 65 Donors

$43,514 On Behalf Of Bee Brave Golf Outing Participants & Sponsors
$22,250 on behalf of Bee Brave Pickleball Tournament Participants & Sponsors
$16,780 On Behalf Of WERQ Your Rack Participants & Sponsors
$12,500 on behalf of Ramon Bueno Cancer Support Foundation
$4,485 On Behalf Of Bee Brave Puzzle Participants
$3,000 On Behalf Of SpendMend, LLC.
$2,000 on behalf of Bredeweg & Zylstra, PLC CPAs & Advisors
$2,000 On Behalf Of CareLinc Medical Equipment & Supply
$2,000 on behalf of Keith Walker
$2,000 On Behalf Of West Michigan Hospice
$2,000 On Behalf Of Windemuller Electric, Inc.
$1,500 on behalf of Bell House Training Co.
$1,000 On Behalf Of Cascade Cement Contracting, Inc.
$1,000 On Behalf Of Dan Vos Construction Co., Inc.
$1,000 On Behalf Of Fox Motors
$1,000 On Behalf Of Frontier Heating & Cooling
$1,000 On Behalf Of ID Engineering & Automated Systems Inc.
$500 On Behalf Of Brick's @ Campau Corner
$500 On Behalf Of Cherry Valley Resources LLC
$500 On Behalf Of Doeren Mayhew
$500 On Behalf Of Eastern Floral & Gifts
$500 On Behalf Of Glen Valley Dentistry
$560 from Anonymous
$500 on behalf of Marcie Apple
$500 On Behalf Of Northgate Appliance
$350 from Anonymous
$250 on behalf of Gayle Veenstra
$250 On Behalf Of SouthKent Veterinary Hospital, PLLC
$240 On Behalf Of Kentwood Police Department
$200 from Anonymous
$160 on behalf of Barb Benner
$100 on behalf of Bonnie Visser
$160 on behalf of Cheri Koning
$100 on behalf of Lisa Eldersveld
$130 on behalf of Michele Prill
$130 on behalf of Senica Family
$100 on behalf of Robin Mosher
$80 on behalf of Anneke Bosma
$50 on behalf of Carolynne Allaben
$80 on behalf of Jonny Bosma
$80 on behalf of Joyce Flohe
$50 on behalf of Kathy Eckler
$80 from Anonymous
$50 on behalf of Susan Krumlauf
$50 On Behalf Of White Mitten Movers LLC
$75 on behalf of Kevin Thayer
$100 from Anonymous
$100 on behalf of Ryan Rearick
$55 from Anonymous
$55 on behalf of Carol Huisingh
$115 from Anonymous
$55 on behalf of Cheryl Wirsing
$55 from Anonymous
$55 on behalf of Jeffrey Brown
$55 from Anonymous
$55 on behalf of Kristine Gezon
$55 on behalf of Lori Polich
$55 from Anonymous
$55 on behalf of Robin Rozelle-Moreno
$55 on behalf of Tara VanDis
$75 from Anonymous
$40 on behalf of Bing Wang
$40 from Anonymous
$40 on behalf of Susan Horn
$35 on behalf of Zhen Fu

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