Popular summer event announces new program & new research benefactor; Van Andel Institute. 

Muskegon, Michigan – June 11, 2019 – Standup for the Cure (SUFTC), alongside its national sponsor, Boardworks Surf, and presenting sponsor, Mercy Health, is excited to announce their fifth Muskegon event.  The team, led by Executive Director Dan Van Dyck and local Co-Chairs Shawn Norden and Dianne Hoofman, will be hosting the event at Harbour Towne Beach on beautiful Muskegon Lake on July 13, 2019.  This will be SUFTC’s second stop for 2019 as part of a series of nationwide events aimed at raising money to support local health systems that combat breast cancer.  SUFTC’s mission is to help women find breast cancer early (when it is most treatable) through education, awareness, screenings and research while building a supportive, compassionate community.  

Last year’s event raised $100,000, which was distributed to several local organizations, including a program at Mercy Health Lacks Cancer Center that offers screening and diagnostic access for uninsured women, and life-enhancing classes designed for breast cancer survivors.  In addition to other programs that received funding, Hackley Community Care of Muskegon also received a grant to offer education, screening and diagnostics services (like enhanced mammograms and MRIs) to low-income men and women in Muskegon, with a focus on under-insured, and African American and Hispanic populations. 

“The outcome of a breast cancer diagnosis varies greatly in our community; especially in our minority populations,” said Teresa Jones, Special Programs Coordinator at Hackley Community Care.  “Early detection is a key factor to better outcomes.  Unfortunately, there are social determinants like access, transportation, fears, and myths that keep women from getting screened annually.  As a trusted community care partner, and thanks to programs like Standup for the Cure, we’re able to help our patients overcome obstacles and not only get screened but get properly diagnosed and into the right treatment programs.”

New to the event this year is a focus on breast cancer research through a local, yet world-renowned, research organization in Grand Rapids: Van Andel Institute.  Seventy-five percent of the funds raised at the 2019 event will go to local programs managed through Hackley Community Care, with the remaining twenty-five percent going to Van Andel Institute to fuel Dr. Carrie Graveel’s research into triple-negative breast cancer, which is the most aggressive and deadly form of the disease. 

“Van Andel Institute is thrilled to be a part of this amazing event,” said Brett Holleman, Chief Development Officer for Van Andel Institute. “On behalf of Dr. Graveel and our team of scientists who work tirelessly to find cures, we’re grateful to Standup for choosing us as a charity partner.  Our Purple Community team is excited to be at the event this year and hope all of our friends and supporters will come out to experience the day with us.”

The event remains focused on introducing non-paddlers to the healthy (and fun) lifestyle of standup paddling, but with a few new twists for its fifth anniversary in Muskegon.  There will be instructors on hand to teach beginners as well as FREE breast and melanoma screening by Mercy Health, live music, a Hawaiian blessing, and a health and fitness expo. Attendees will also receive a catered, BBQ lunch, courtesy of KJ Catering, and beverages, courtesy of Tyler Sales.  Hemisphere Design Works will have plenty of Sun Dolphin boards onsite for attendees to demo and purchase.  Additional sponsors include Mercy Health (Presenting Sponsor), Tom DeVoursney (Presenting Sponsor), Shape Corp, WZZM 13, and a number of local supporting partners and vendors.

Online Registration is now open at https://www.crowdrise.com/MuskegonStandupfortheCure2019.

Event Details:

• Location:  Harbour Towne Beach, Muskegon, Mich.

• Date:  Saturday, July 13, 2019 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

• For Beginners:  Standup Paddleboard Clinic

• Events:  Kid's race, 5K expert race, top fundraising team relay races, Fun “Sea of Pink” paddle, and yoga on the beach

• Other things to do:  Industry Health and Fitness Expo with free breast health screenings, Live Music, Catered Lunch and Happy Hour, SUP lessons and Demos as well as a Silent Auction

• Sponsorships & Expo Space are still available. Contact Dan Van Dyck:  dvandyck1@gmail.com

In support of the fight against breast cancer, participants can sign up as a team or individual through the Crowdrise website at https://www.crowdrise.com/MuskegonStandupfortheCure2019. More information and event details can be found at: http://suftc.org, via Twitter at @StandUp4TheCure, and on Facebook @StandUpfortheCure.

About Standup for the Cure

Standup for the Cure is a non-profit, 501c3 formed for the express purpose of raising funds and awareness for early breast cancer detection while building a compassionate, supportive community  Founded in 2011, Standup for the Cure is fully supported by generous donations from their presenting and title partners and a host of vendors and volunteers who take part each year. Standup for the Cure has now raised over $1,200,000 for support of local breast cancer programs and leading-edge research.  Learn more about Standup for the Cure at suftc.org.

About Hackley Community Care

Hackley Community Care (HCC) is a Federally Qualified Health Center that has been providing quality health care services since 1992. Our services initiated from humble beginnings to address the issue of pre-term, low birthweight babies. Hackley Community Care has continuously expanded to provide an array of services that include full primary care, dental, behavioral health,  pharmacy (Community Care Pharmacy), home based and school based services, and other supporting programs such as Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, Komen Breast Health, and BCCCNP services, to name a few. All of our services are designed to meet the needs of the underserved in our community. Learn more about HCC at http://www.hackleycommunitycare.org/. 

About Van Andel Institute

Van Andel Institute (VAI) is an independent nonprofit biomedical research and science education organization committed to improving the health and enhancing the lives of current and future generations. Established by Jay and Betty Van Andel in 1996 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, VAI has grown into a premier research and educational institution that supports the work of more than 400 scientists, educators and staff. Van Andel Research Institute (VARI), VAI’s research division, is dedicated to determining the epigenetic, genetic, molecular and cellular origins of cancer, Parkinson’s and other diseases and translating those findings into effective therapies. The Institute’s scientists work in onsite laboratories and participate in collaborative partnerships that span the globe. Learn more about Van Andel Institute at vai.org.