Since 2009, swimmers from the Hershey Aquatic Club have raised $148,959 for the PA Breast Cancer Coalition through the Breaststroke for Breast Cancer event! Thanks to the efforts of the coordinators, Rebecca Black, Lisa Beck and their daughters, the 2020 Breaststroke for Breast Cancer campaign raised the highest total to date; $21,961!
“The Breast Stroke for Breast Cancer event gives them a chance to make a difference in the lives of others, it is a valuable lesson while having fun and doing their sport!” – Rebecca Black, Breast Stroke for Breast Cancer Coordinator
TELL US ABOUT YOUR EVENT!
In 2008, a young HAC swimmer, Maddie Veith, approached her coaches with the idea of having a breaststroke practice 
where swimmers would raise money for the PBCC and celebrate after practice with pink snacks. The fundraiser caught on with the support of the coaches and the willingness of the swimmers to raise money for breast cancer survivors in
Pennsylvania. After Maddie graduated from high school, she turned the coordination of the fundraiser over to Jillian Ruddle.
Last year Skylar Black and Issy Beck took it over after Jillian graduated from high school. In 2020, with the challenges of COVID-19 and the Derry Township pool being rebuilt, the Hershey Aquatic Club joined with Keystone Aquatic Club to make the event bigger and better!
This event is so important to our swimmers and the people that continue to donate year after year because breast cancer touches so many lives. Both of Skylar’s grandmothers were diagnosed with this disease; fortunately, her paternal grandmother is a survivor; where as her maternal grandmother was not so fortunate. Having 3 daughters of my own, it is important that new and improved testing is developed with the hope that someday there will be a cure for breast cancer.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO RAISE MONEY FOR BREAST CANCER?
With 1 in 8 women being affected by breast cancer, we all know someone who has faced this diagnosis, it is a common
cancer with a huge impact. The PA Breast Cancer Coalition provides such amazing support for PA residents, including care packages, the PBCC conference, research grants, and hope. The PBCC conference is an amazing opportunity for survivors to network with other survivors, learn from experts about cutting edge data, tips on nutrition and how to cope with the challenges that they face. The PA Breast Cancer Coalition is a fantastic non-profit organization that depends on the generosity of the community to support our residents.
It is also important for our children to step outside themselves and help others. Many families within the Hershey and Keystone Aquatic have been affected by Breast Cancer. The Breast Stroke for Breast Cancer event gives them a chance to make a difference in the lives of others, it is a valuable lesson while having fun and doing their sport! Every donation makes such an impact. Imagine…$148, 959 since 2009…that’s a lot of Breast Stroke!
WHAT DOES OUR MISSION OF FINDING A CURE NOW, SO OUR DAUGHTERS DON’T HAVE TO MEAN TO YOU?
What could mean more to a mother or a father than trying to protect our children? I pray that my daughters will never face having to hear those words that I did two years ago now, but if they do, I hope that research, imaging, and insurance matters will have advanced to provide as much hope as possible. It won’t happen without fundraising though – so many thanks to the PA Breast Cancer Coalition for all that they do for all of the women and men who are diagnosed with breast cancer and all of their children too.
Breast Stroke for Breast Cancer was the PBCC’s Shining Light Awardee in 2017! Click here to view their video.