“The Power of Pink Cannot Be Underestimated”
So said the Seattle Times in their coverage of September’s Seattle Row for the Cure. We couldn’t agree more.
The fall is always a special time for us as we host three signature events – Seattle, San Diego and Pink the Boathouse. This year you could just feel the excitement as rowers embraced the challenge to help change lives as they raced, practiced and celebrated together and raised funds which will be distributed to cancer organizations across the U.S. Together they sent a powerful message: we will support those impacted by cancer and we won’t stop until we find a cure. If there is one thing we know, rowers are a dynamic force who won’t let anything stop them until they reach the finish line.
We could not be more proud to be part of this dynamic movement and will always continue to fight and continue to educate about the importance of early screening and detection.
September 18th saw the return of the dedicated Pacific North West rowing community to Gas Works Park for Seattle Row for the Cure. Masters and junior rowers, from 19 clubs, competed in a 5.8 k head race, 1k sprint and ever-popular Costume Contest. One of the many features of the event is the opportunity to earn a PINK ERG, for those clubs which reach fundraising thresholds. This year a record five ergs were delivered (Lake Stevens Rowing Club, Everett Rowing Association, Lake Union Crew and two to Sammamish for masters and juniors!) and the event exceeded its fundraising goal of $100k. A key element of success for this event, which was first held in 2000, is a strong event committee including representatives from many local clubs who work closely with the Seattle community every year. To date they have raised a staggering $1.5 million plus for local organizations. A motivating fundraising target for all participants is DAMPER (Donating a Mammogram per Every Rower) – which focuses on securing donations of $150 – the cost of a mammogram.
Thank you to the Seattle Times for covering this special event! Read more here.
Beneficiaries of funds raised are PNW-based: Breast Health Services at Providence-Swedish, Citrine Health and Carol Milgard Breast Center in addition to our national partner Susan G. Komen.
Save the Date for Seattle Rowing Cares: September 17, 2023
Row for the Cure San Diego
A signature event on our schedule, the Row for the Cure San Diego returned for its 21st year on October 8. Always a fan favorite, held on Mission Bay, clubs from San Diego and SoCal gathered for a beautiful morning of racing, hosted by the San Diego Crew Classic.
An added incentive this year for fundraising teams was the offer from the San Diego Crew Classic and Gina and Steve Considine to match the first $5k in donations. The teams, led by top fundraisers ZLAC Rowing Club and Community Rowing of San Diego, rose to the Challenge and raised over $16k. These funds will be awarded to local San Diego organizations: Scripps MD Anderson Patient Support Services, Breast Cancer Angels and to our national partner Susan G. Komen toward research.
The first Row for the Cure San Diego regatta was hosted by UC San Diego Women’s Crew in 2001 shortly after losing an alumna, Lori Ann Uptegrove, and a Triton family member, Joyce Snyder, to breast cancer. This year teams raced in honor of teammates and loved ones, with Mission Bay ablaze in a sea of pink.
Pink the Boathouse Challenge
The rowing community and its supporters across the U.S. answered the call and got their PINK ON during October to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In honor or memory of those near and dear to us, we rowed, erged, ran, walked, led a team, donated, and raised funds as individuals or teams as part of the PinktheBoathouse Challenge.
This year rowing teams turned out in force, and in pink, for practice and during races. We saw Juniors, Collegiate and Masters teams host celebrations at their boathouses in honor of teammates and family members. Once again, Row House studios hosted Pink the Boathouse rows, with the studios donating all class fees to Pink the Boathouse. This celebration continues to grow every year, welcoming hundreds of new participants, and we are thrilled engage the rowing and cancer communities in such a meaningful partnership.
Special recognition goes to the Northeastern Women’s Rowing Team, under the direction of coach Joe Wilhelm, which was our top team fundraiser. 33 athletes, including our top individual fundraiser Alice Brashars, raised over $5k in honor of those impacted by cancer.
A few campaign highlights:
24 Row House studios held Pink the Boathouse rows
Three regattas designated races as Rows for the Cure: Secret City Head Race, Hoover Fall Classic, First Coast Head Race
Cotton Candy Crew led by CeCe Aguda brought a boat of rowers in pink and teal to the Head of the Charles to support those impacted by breast and ovarian cancer
USRowing Training Center athletes supported Pink the Boathouse
As a result, we will distribute over $30,000 in grants to community cancer organizations and rowing programs for survivors across the U.S. and to Susan G. Komen toward research to help find a cure.
THANK YOU ALL!
Congratulations and thank you to every participant, vendor, volunteer, supporter, donor and friend for all three events. Special thanks to our national partners: USRowing, Regatta Central, Row House, Concept 2, JL Racing, Rowing News and to the local supporters in Seattle and San Diego.
Rowing Cares sends a special thank you to USRowing referee Eric Weir who traveled from Sacramento to oversee the San Diego event.
Please note, fundraising is still open on all of these events through the end of the year. Thank you for your continued support of this important mission!
