September was an unforgettable month for the Survivor Fitness family. We gathered across Tennessee for our annual Survivor Fitness Soirées in Knoxville and Nashville, and the energy in both rooms was electric.
Events like these are such a powerful reminder of what happens when a community rallies around a shared mission to empower survivors to reclaim their health and thrive after cancer treatment. Between our two events this year, our incredible community raised a record-breaking $450,000, nearly half a million dollars!
Every dollar raised goes directly toward ensuring our personal training, nutrition coaching, and mental health programs remain completely free for the hundreds of cancer survivors who walk through our doors each year. Whether you bought a ticket, sponsored a table, donated an auction item, or simply showed up to cheer on our survivors, we cannot thank you enough.
Honoring Stories of Resilience
While the fundraising total is something to celebrate, the true heart of both evenings was the stories shared on stage. This year, we had the privilege of honoring two extraordinary women who embody what Survivor Fitness is all about.
In Knoxville, we celebrated our 2026 Honoree, Jennifer Ayers. Jennifer’s journey began in 2020 when she faced multiple cancer diagnoses. Through sheer determination and support from her Survivor Fitness training and nutrition coaches, she fought her way back. Jennifer went from struggling to walk on a treadmill to crossing the finish line of a 5K. Hear her story firsthand:
In Nashville, we honored our 2026 Honoree, Olivia Leow. Diagnosed with stage 2 astrocytoma—a form of brain cancer—in 2021, Olivia continues to navigate regular MRI scans and oncology follow-ups. When she was introduced to Survivor Fitness, she dove in headfirst, participating in all three pillars of our program: personal training, nutrition guidance, and mental health counseling. Her holistic commitment to her recovery inspired everyone in the room.
A Community Connected
Beyond the speeches and the fundraising, one of our absolute favorite parts of the Soirée season is watching connections spark across the room.
Where else do you see cancer survivors, local donors, corporate sponsors, oncologists, doctors, and family members all standing together in the same room? Seeing hundreds of people from different walks of life unite around a single purpose—helping survivors reclaim their health and confidence after cancer—was deeply moving.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
An evening of this scale is only possible through the incredible generosity of our corporate and community partners. A huge thank you to our presenting and event sponsors who made the 2026 Soirées a massive success:
- First Bank —Knoxville Hope Sponsor (there is more than one)
- Peyton Cherry Fine Homes — Knoxville Check-in Sponsor
- Axle Logistics — Knoxville Hope Sponsor
- Tennessee Orthopaedic Alliance of East Tennessee — Knoxville Wine Sponsor
- Knoxville Institute of Dermatology — Knoxville Silent Auction Sponsor
- Revance — Nashville Vision Sponsor
- Pinnacle Financial Partners — Nashville Sponsor
- Hunt Brothers Pizza — Nashville Sponsor
- Tennessee Oncology — Nashville Check-in Sponsor
And special thanks to all of our local auction donors and event volunteers who brought this night to life!
Looking Ahead & How to Stay Involved
As we look back on the success of the 2026 Soirées, our hearts are overflowing with gratitude. Because of your generosity, hundreds of survivors across Tennessee will receive the personalized expert care they need to rebuild their lives in the coming year.
The party may be over, but our mission continues every single day. If you want to keep the momentum going and help us serve even more survivors, here is how you can continue to support Survivor Fitness:
- Give a Monthly or One-Time Gift: Help us keep our 12-week personal training, nutrition, and mental health programs 100% free for participants.
- Volunteer Your Time or Offer Your Expertise: From event setup to offering your expertise as a trainer or nutrition specialist, our volunteers and partners keep our community thriving.
- Join Us at a Future Event: Keep an eye out for upcoming community gatherings and annual events such as Rock the Row, Survivor Fitness Soirée, and more!
To everyone who attended, volunteered, sponsored, or gave: thank you for being a vital part of the Survivor Fitness story. We couldn’t do this without you!
