Virtual Event Raises Funds for Cancer Prevention

With the health and well-being of participants, volunteers, and sponsors in mind, Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition (MBCC) announces a new virtual event schedule for its annual, statewide Against the Tide athletic fundraising events for 2020. MBCC will be hosting four virtual events on June 20th, August 15th, September 19th, and September 26th. The virtual event components include 1-mile recreational or competitive swims, ½-mile recreational swim, 5K or 10K runs, 3-mile walk, ½-mile stand up paddle board, or 2-mile kayak. For participants who are looking to challenge themselves, there is an Aquathon option, consisting of a competitive 1-mile swim and the choice of 5K or 10K run.

MBCC’s College Against the Tide Chairman, Charles McGinn, a Boston University sophomore and resident of Clinton is thrilled to be participating in the virtual 3-mile walk component of the Against the Tide event on June 20th & August 15th to raise money for MBCC’s mission of cancer prevention. He will be completing the event by walking in his neighborhood with his twin sister. If you would like to support Charles with his fundraising efforts please do so by donating at: https://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/charles-mcginn/Against-the-Tide-June-2020-Virtual

Charles is excited to be working with MBCC for his third year. Charles started volunteering with MBCC while in high school as the High School Chairman. Now in college, Charles continues to work with MBCC by contacting high schools and colleges statewide and completing other behind-the-scenes tasks to help the event remain a great success each year. Through all of his dedication and hard work with MBCC, he has found a true passion. “Being able to see the impact that the work I do with MBCC has on other people means the world to me every year,” says Charles, “bringing people together for one cause is a feeling unlike any other.”

MBCC’s 2020 Event Intern, Danielle Paradis, a Boston University graduate student and resident of Reading is also thrilled to be participating in the virtual 3-mile walk with her dog Rocky for the Against the Tide event on June 20th & August 15th to raise money for MBCC’s mission of cancer prevention. If you would like to support Danielle and Rocky with their fundraising efforts please to do so by donating at: https://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/danielle-paradis/Against-the-Tide-June-2020-Virtual

Danielle is also excited to be working with MBCC this summer as it is the only organization locally or nationally that is working towards breast cancer prevention. “As a public health graduate student, I believe in the importance of focusing on the prevention of disease, especially cancer,” says Danielle. This cause is particularly important to Danielle as her family has previously been affected by cancer through the loss of her grandmother.

“We are very proud and fortunate to have such tremendous support from Charles and Danielle supporting MBCC’s goal toward cancer prevention. They are true examples of leaders in their work with MBCC. These students demonstrate how we can become involved in the process of creating a safer future for our children, grandchildren, and future generations,” says MBCC’s Executive Director, Cheryl Osimo.

"We are grateful to the many people who come out to support MBCC every year at Against the Tide events and we hope that providing participants with multiple virtual options will give everyone a chance to be a part of the Against the Tide events and to swim, walk, run, paddle, or kayak in support of cancer prevention," explains Osimo. "We've tried hard to balance the health and safety of our supporters, while trying to ensure important funds are raised to support MBCC's programs." Registration fees are $40 for an individual participant, and $100 for a family registration (up to 5 family members).

Virtual Event Highlights:

· Participate on a course or safe body of water of your choosing.

· Participants will have a three-day window leading up to the event day to complete their activity, (for example, June 18 – 20 for the June 20th Virtual Event).

· All virtual participants will receive a Participant Fun Pack, including an event t-shirt, bib or swim cap, participant medal, and sponsor items, along with instructions on how to submit their finish time for those swim, run, and Aquathon participants who would like to have their finish times included on the event results page.

· Exclusive access to training videos from two certified fitness instructors.

· Opportunity to include a flag in memory/honor of a loved one on the online Mural of Honor.

· Share your “event” photos with us to be included in the Against the Tide photo album on the MBCC website and Facebook page.

· Prizes will be awarded top fundraisers.

To learn more about all of the registration options or to make a pledge, please visit the MBCC website at www.mbcc.org/swim or by calling 1-800-649-MBCC (6222).

About MBCC: Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition is the state's leading breast cancer organization dedicated to preventing the environmental causes of breast cancer through community education, research advocacy, and changes to public policy.