Why I’m Doing This

My name is Bridger Deaton and a few years ago, I found myself sitting in an exam room at MD Anderson.

I had been diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer.

That moment changes you.
Not just because of the word cancer, but because you immediately realize how fragile everything really is.

Your health.
Your plans.
Your family.
Your future.

I was fortunate. I had access to great care. I caught it early. And I had support around me.

But I also saw something that stuck with me:

Cancer doesn’t just attack the individual, it attacks families.

It creates financial pressure, emotional strain, and uncertainty that most people never see until they’re inside it.

I’ve watched family members walk through cancer. I’ve seen what it costs beyond the hospital bills. And I’ve seen how isolating it can feel, especially for men, who are often slow to speak up, slow to get checked, and slow to ask for help.

This run exists because of that reality.

Why a Run Across Arizona

Arizona is where I live.
It’s also one of the sunniest states in the country and one of the hardest places to ignore skin cancer.

This run is my way of turning something personal into something purposeful.

I’ll be running 350+ miles across Arizona over roughly 7 days, through heat, elevation, fatigue, and long days on the road.

It’s not meant to be easy.

And it’s not meant to compare to what families facing cancer endure because their fight is not one that they chose and it doesn’t end when the miles are done.

This run is simply a way to start a conversation, raise awareness, and take responsibility for helping others who are in the middle of that fight right now.

What We’re Raising Money For

This fundraiser is intentionally simple and focused.

We are raising $15,000 to support three families currently battling cancer.

Each family will receive $5,000 (or ⅓ of total donations if we exceed the goal) to help cover immediate, real-world needs such as:

Medical bills
Travel to and from treatment
Lost income
Childcare
Daily living expenses during treatment

These are the things that quietly break families while they’re trying to survive cancer.

The goal is not to fix everything, it’s to reduce the pressure so families can focus on healing.

How Families Are Chosen

Families are nominated by the community and selected based on:

Medical need
Financial strain due to cancer treatment
Alignment with the mission of this project

Every nomination is reviewed carefully, and all families are treated with dignity, respect, and confidentiality throughout the process.

Nomination does not guarantee selection, but every story matters.

NOMINATE A FAMILY HERE

Why This Matters

Men are often taught to push through pain, ignore symptoms, and handle everything alone.

Cancer doesn’t care about that mindset.

This run is about:

Taking health seriously
Supporting families when life gets overwhelming
Stepping up instead of looking away
Showing that no matter how hard things get we can keep going, together.

If this project helps even one family breathe a little easier during the hardest season of their lives, it will be worth every mile.

How You Can Help

There are two distinct ways to support this mission. It’s important to understand the difference.

1. Donate Here on This Page

All donations made directly on this Givebutter page are used exclusively to support the three Arizona families battling cancer.

100% of these funds go to the families.
They are not used for travel, equipment, vehicles, media, or operational costs related to the run.

If your goal is to directly help families who are in the middle of the fight right now, this is the place to do it.

2. Sponsor the Run (Businesses & Resource Partners)

If you’re a business or individual interested in sponsoring the Run Across Arizona, sponsorship support is handled separately from this donation page.

Sponsorship may include:

Financial support for logistics (RV, fuel, food, crew support)
Donating equipment, vehicles, or supplies
Supporting media and documentation to help amplify the mission
Partnering in a way that helps make the border-to-border run possible

Sponsorship funds and resources are used only to support execution of the run and promotion of the mission, not for family donations.

If you’re interested in sponsoring or contributing resources, please reach out directly:

📧 bridger@leanandlethalproject.com

We’ll discuss how your support can best fit into the mission.

Additional Ways to Support

Share this page with others
Follow along and help spread awareness
Nominate a family in need

Every dollar donated on this page goes toward helping families who are navigating one of the hardest seasons of their lives.

Thank you for being part of this mission and for supporting it with integrity.

- Bridger

AZ Border to Border Battle Against Cancer

By Lean and Lethal Project

AZ Border to Border Battle Against Cancer

Raising money for families aftected by cancer

Team Members