Skate for Hope

On Saturday June 18, 2011 Sarah Hughes, Olympic Gold Medalist, will emcee the Skate for Hope annual figure skating show raising funds for breast cancer research and awareness at the Nationwide Arena in Downtown Columbus, Ohio.

Skate for Hope (SFH) utilizes figure skating, a sport that epitomizes women’s strength, to bring attention, resources and education to fight breast cancer. Each year, over 100 figure skaters from the Central Ohio area come together to celebrate life, cancer survivors and the hope of a future free from breast cancer. In addition to these local skaters, Olympic, World and National Champions join the cast to present a spectacular show, honoring those touched by this disease.

Skate for Hope began in 2004 when adult figure skater and breast cancer survivor, Carolyn Bongirno wanted a way to raise awareness and funds to fight the disease she fought at 33 years of age. Carolyn battled and overcame a stage three breast cancer diagnosis. She credits figure skating and her skating friends in helping her stay positive throughout her treatment process.

Skate for Hope is a not for profit 501c3 charitable organization that donates its proceeds to the Stefanie Spielman Fund at the James Cancer Center and Solove Research Institute and to the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer Research. Its mission is to raise breast cancer education and awareness for young women and girls; empower young women and girls to better cope with a friend or family member’s diagnosis; honor breast cancer survivors in the community and raise funding for clinical breast cancer research.

Each year, this annual event gives young skaters the opportunity to perform the sport they love so well and have it benefit so many who are fighting breast cancer. Since the event first began, Skate for Hope has raised $293,000.

For more information about this unique and beautiful way to raise money to fight breast cancer visit Skate for Hope at www.skateforhope.org