“The Amanda Hichkad CCA Celebration Walk is a fundraising event that my team holds near and dear to their hearts. 2025 marks the 9th year of our team raising money to help support treatment and care for cancer patients,” tells Nicole Kougl, Associate Broker with EXIT Preferred Realty in Bel Air, MD.
The team originally started participating in honor of Nicole’s friend, and Team Captain’s mother, who passed away from cancer about 10 years ago. What they found after a few years of fundraising was an amazing community of people who were willing to help and do what it takes to raise millions of dollars a year for the Upper Chesapeake Health Foundation.
“Every year, we have friends, family and coworkers who donate to the cause, and we are beyond grateful,” explains Nicole, “We do a variety of things to raise money such as raffle baskets, hold brunches with a variety of raffles, ask restaurants to hold a donation night where a percentage of patrons’ checks go towards our initiative, and of course, this year through The Spirit of EXIT Charitable Program, EXIT Realty Corp International matched the funds that I was able to raise personally.”
A portion of every transaction fee received by EXIT Realty Corp. International is applied to its charitable fund. Through the Spirit of EXIT Charitable Program, EXIT offices and associates can raise money for local, approved, registered charities and apply to EXIT’s head office to have those funds matched from the company’s pool of funds. Nicole and her team raised $1,370, which EXIT’s head office was proud to match, for a total donation of $2,740. “We would like to thank you for your support during the 2025 Amanda Hichkad CCA Celebration Walk benefitting Cancer LifeNet at Kaufman Cancer Center. Cancer LifeNet is a free of charge supportive care service offered to all residents of Harford and Cecil counties, regardless of where they receive their cancer treatment. The program is fully funded through philanthropy and is designed to help patients and their loved ones find the resources needed to balance work, family, and cancer treatment,” said Sarah Conway, Development and Communication Officer, University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health Foundation.