Guest Post by BCPP Development Manager Nicole Parker

Fundraising for the T9 Mermaid Race was as easy as Ready. Set. Go!

I love being outdoors, I’m training for a summer race and I’m passionate about the work Breast Cancer Prevention Partners does. So of course, the T9 Mermaid Series was a perfect fit for me. By committing to fundraise $500, my race fees were waived, and in addition, I got to spread the word about BCPP to all my friends on various social media platforms.

I was amazed to find that when I posted my story on social media, I reached my fundraising goal in just a week! More importantly, I reconnected with an old friend I hadn’t spoken to in years, who shared her recent breast cancer journey. In the past year, I’ve lost one friend to breast cancer, and learned of another going through treatment. Both are in their early 30s, and it definitely fuels me to spread the mission of BCPP.

While the emotions behind this event were difficult, the logistics for race day were easy. There were 3 days of packet pickup to accommodate everyone’s schedules, and on race morning, I was able to drive up to the start line and park (for free!). From check-in to parking, the race really treated everyone like a champ. I was greeted with a smile at every turn and walked away from the race with a branded tech t-shirt, mermaid necklace and huge finisher’s medal.

At the start line, all the participants were excited to start the race, snapping pictures and dancing to keep warm. My favorite part of this event was that it really felt like a community. There were families at the start line to cheer on those racing, and in addition to the kids’ races, there were even some running in the 10k with me. As I ran towards the finish line, the woman in front of me stopped to grab her young son and finish the race with him, together. The whole race was well-staffed and supported, from more than enough port-a-potties, to water and first aid tents. All race essentials!

As I crossed the finish line, I felt reflective on my morning and the experience. I ran the Mermaid Race to raise funds for BCPP to help continue consumer education in the safer products world, support its policy work, campaigns and other innovative programs that prevent breast cancer by eliminating our exposures to toxic chemicals and radiation linked to the disease. Moreover, I ran to remember those who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, and those we’ve lost. Looking at the participants at the event, including so many women and children, made me realize there is so much work to be done.