Pink Ribbon Classic Events On Tap

BERLIN -- The American Cancer Society of North Worcester County has burst out of the starting gate with a series of Pink Ribbon Classic events held in conjunction with October's Breast Cancer Awareness month, an international health campaign designed to increase awareness of the causes, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure of breast cancer.

Bahia Marina in Ocean City kicked off the Pink Ribbon Series with Capt. Steve Harman’s Annual "Poor Girls Open", a ladies-only catch and release billfish tournament held in August. This year’s tournament registered 88 boats, an increase over the 79 boats competing in 2010. On behalf of Fish Tales Bar & Grill and Bahia Marina, Shawn Harman presented a check to the American Cancer Society for $54,000, bringing the total raised for the ACS by the Poor Girls Open to more than $400,000 since 1999.

Upcoming Pink Ribbon events in the southern Delmarva area include the Pink Ribbon Tennis Tournament on Friday, Sept. 30 at the Sea Colony Tennis Center in Bethany Beach, Del. This all-day, round-robin format tournament includes a continental breakfast, lunch, prizes, 50/50 and an extravagant Chinese auction. The entry fee is $55. For further information, contact Dolores at 302-539-6969/dolores@dolorespack.com.

Next in line is the Card, Game and Mah Jongg Party on Tuesday, Oct. 4 at Lighthouse Sound in Bishopville. Clearly, fighting breast cancer is no fun and games, but you can show your support and fight back at this great card, game and Mah Jongg party. A $25 donation entitles you to a day of play, breakfast treats, lunch, beverages, door prize drawings, raffles and a goodie bag. Contact Laurie at delaurie@comcast.net for more information.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K Run/Walk is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 15 at 9 a.m. at Hooters on the Ocean City Boardwalk at 5th Street. Since its inception in 1993, nearly seven million "Making Strides" walkers nationwide have raised more than $400 million. Forty teams have already signed on for the Ocean City event. To register, become a sponsor, or to learn more about the Oct. 15 event, call Chairman Beverly Furst, 410-251-8020 or visit www.stridesoceancity.org.

Enjoy a traditional Mah Jongg Tournament while raising money for breast cancer programs and research on Thursday, Oct. 20 at the Golden Sands Club on 109th Street in Ocean City. The $25 registration fee includes a continental breakfast, refreshments and lunch provided by Golden Sands Catering. Contact Darlene Botts at 310-409-7528 for further information.

The 15th Annual Pink Ribbon Classic Golf Tournament will be held on Friday, Oct. 21 at Ocean City Golf Club. Enjoy lunch in the clubhouse before the 12:30 p.m. shotgun start at this "Ladies Only" tournament. After 18 holes, enjoy a buffet dinner, Chinese Auction, 50/50 drawing and an Awards Ceremony. For further information, please contact Nancy at 410-251-6555/ewgnancy@aol.com or Judy at 410-524-9460/jjoldpro@juno.com

Jammin Out Cancer is set for Friday, Nov. 4 from 5-9 p.m. at Seacrets, 49th Street and the Bay. This popular event will feature live music through the decades this year. Enjoy great food, a fabulous silent auction and more as you jam out cancer to the sounds of the 50’s, 60’s and 80’s For further information, contact Amy Katz at 410-641-1644.

The final event of the Pink Ribbon Series is "Croppin' Out Cancer" - an all day/all night craft event to be held Friday, Nov. 11 at the Clarion Fountainebleau, 100 Street in Ocean City. From 6 a.m., Friday morning to 2 a.m., Saturday morning, croppers can make a $40 donation to the American Cancer Society and receive a place to crop and access to all available tools. Activities include door prize drawings, a Chinese auction, 50/50, card decorating contest and more. For further information, contact Susan Childs at 443-235-2926.

Since its inception in 1997, the Pink Ribbon Classic Series has raised more than one million dollars for the American Cancer Society’s programs of breast cancer research, patient services, education and advocacy.

This year’s campaign is dedicated to the memory of Kathy Mathias, long-time beloved chairwoman of the Pink Ribbon Classic, who lost her life to breast cancer on Aug. 15.  Special tribute will be paid to Kathy at each of the events.