Row for the Cure®

In its’ second year as a Row for the Cure® regatta, the 2008 Head of the Chattahoochee, (The “Hooch”), raised over $71,000 with proceeds benefiting local affiliates of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The two-day regatta held on November 1st and 2nd in Chattanooga, TN is America’s second largest fall head race with 1,357 collegiate, club and high school entries from 144 rowing clubs from the US, Canada and Europe.

Five events were designated as Row for the Cure® trophy events with 84 entries and 494 seats including 36 men. All rowers received pink Hooch Row for the Cure® t-shirts sponsored by Concept2 CTS. The race course was a “sea of pink” for the Row for the Cure® events.

Clubs attending the Hooch were given online tools and incentives to raise money for their local Komen affiliates, and nine teams raised over $61,000. Fundraisers were invited to a Friday night dinner reception sponsored by Niko’s Southside Grill in Chattanooga. Fundraisers also received pink Row for the Cure® bandanas sponsored by Agfa Healthcare.

Participating Teams
Club	Komen Affiliate	$ Raised
St. Andrew Rowing Club	Greater Atlanta	$21,720
Atlanta Rowing Club	Greater Atlanta	$21,127
Atlanta Junior Rowing	Greater Atlanta	$7,991
Duke Women’s Rowing	NC Triangle	$5,540
Georgia State University	Greater Atlanta	$1,775
Lookout Rowing Club	Chattanooga	$1,705
Miami Rowing Center	Miami/Ft. Lauderdale	$1,060
St. Louis Rowing Club	St. Louis	$445
Oak Ridge Rowing	Knoxville	$380

Nine Olympians from the US Men’s National Team attended the Hooch in support of Row for the Cure®: Marcus McElhenney (2008 8+ coxwain, Bronze Medal), Giuseppe Lanzone (2008 4+) , Cameron & Tyler Winklevoss (2008 2-), Jason Read (2004 8+, Gold Medal), Steve Coppola (2008 8+, Bronze Medal), Tom Paradiso (2008 Lwt 4+), Micah Boyd (2008 8+, Bronze Medal) and Dan Beery (2004 8+, Gold Medal).

Breast cancer survivor, Laura Schwanger, an arms-only rower with 12 Paralympic medals including a Bronze medal from the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games, competed in one of three adaptive rowing events offered at the Hooch. Adaptive rowing is a special category of races for rowers with physical disabilities. Laura had been a track and field paralympian, and she started rowing to build her strength and stamina after her breast cancer treatment two years ago.

Row for the Cure® for 2009!

A Community Service Opportunity for ALL Teams!

Every team attending the Hooch is encouraged to hold a Row for the Cure® fundraiser prior to the Hooch. Each team can raise money for the Komen for the Cure affiliate serving their local community in the fight against breast cancer. Visit www.komen.org to learn more about Komen for the Cure.

An online donation system is available for all teams raising money for Row for the Cure®. This system lets your team members and volunteers customize a fundraising web page with a personal note and photo, and donations can be accept via credit card. The status of fundraising achievement vs. goal is presented for participants and teams, and email tools are provided to assist with soliciting donations.

Team Incentives

Incentives will be offered in 2009 for teams that raise money for Row for the Cure®. Details to follow.

Get Involved in 2009!

How can my team get started?

The first step is to identify an individual to champion Row for the Cure® within your organization. The Hooch provides tools and incentives, and we're here to help organizers from each team.

The second step is to determine how you would like to raise money. Examples of Row for the Cure® events are: row-a-thon, erg-a-thon, silent auction, or you simply can use the online donations system to solicit Row for the Cure® donations.

Each team must submit a team setup form (download form) to take advantage of the online donation system offered at no charge to your team. Please complete this form and email to rowforthecure@headofthehooch.org. Once your team is setup, individual team members and volunteers can register and begin fundraising.

Click here for the Pledge-a-thon Organizer Guide for Row for the Cure organizers.

Contact rowforthecure@headofthehooch.org and we will be happy to brainstorm and help you and/or your team get involved.

How can my company become a Row for the Cure sponsor?

There are several sponsor opportunities available for a wide range of budgets. Contact rowforthecure@headofthehooch.org for more information.

Row for the Cure® Events at the Hooch

In addition to offering the opportunity for every team to raise money for Row for the Cure, select events will be designated Row for the Cure® races at the 2009 Head of the Hooch. In 2008, all entries in these events received a pink t-shirt sponsored by Concept2 CTS. The course was a "sea of pink" for the Row for the Cure® races.

Learn More

For more information, please contact: rowforthecure@headofthehooch.org. Ask to be added to the distribution list to receive Row for the Cure® news as it becomes available.