The Cape Cod Bay Challenge is all about people. With the kids and their families at the core. More than anything else we are striving to build community of people that care. Mike said it best...By helping others we help ourselves.
"Both Mike & I have been touched by cancer in our
families. One of the most difficult things I've ever been through is watching my Dad fight and lose to cancer. I underwent proton beam treatment at Mass General Hospital in 2004 for a non-cancerous brain tumor. During a waiting
room conversation with a very brave 9-year old boy (who obviously had much more to be scared of than I did), I made a vow never to feel sorry for myself again. Standup paddling has made my life close to normal again...and that
young boy's words helped me be stronger mentally. We feel lucky to have a beneficiary like Christopher's Haven to help kids like that courageous 9 year old." Bob Babcock, founder of the CCBC "Mass General Hospital
is one of the few places in the world to have a proton beam accelerator for use in the treatment of tumors with highly targeted radiation. Kids from around the world come to MGH for treatment. One thing that doesn't get covered by
insurance is the cost a family incurs for living expenses while their child is treated. A typical stay is 6-8 weeks and Boston is an expensive city to get a hotel room in. The Haven is a short walk from MGH and allows up to 7
families at a time to stay in a comfortable, homelike atmosphere which can relieve some of the strain during a very difficult time. As their slogan says: "Christopher's Haven is a home for kids when cancer hits home."
Mike Brown, founder of the CCBC From it's inception in 2007 the CCBC has always been about bringing good people together for a cause. Challenging ourselves and others to work hard for the kids. We've been very fortunate in the
folks that have joined us to help pull this off. We have a great group of volunteers, great sponsors that care, paddlers that work hard both to train and be physically ready and most importantly to raise funds for
Christopher's Haven. In 2008 8 paddlers participated raised $12,000 for the Ocean Conservancy. The celebration at the finish was a quick lunch and a boat ride home. Most of us fell asleep on the ride. For 2011 the family that is the Cape Cod Bay Challenge invites you to join us for some fun times for a great cause. (link to event page)
In 2009 23 paddlers
raised $35,000 for Christopher's Haven. We had our 1st after party with Wachusett Brewing helping to lead the charge.. Music of the (someday to be famous) Nate Mott Band, and lots of swag and great gear from our sponsors.
In
2010 with the addition of the aforementioned volunteers we expanded to 4 events. With the help of those events and the 100+ that participated there, the 43 paddlers of the CCBC raised $80,000 for Christopher's Haven.
A big part
of what has made the CCBC successful is the folks that donate, that support our paddlers, joining us for the parties. From the small beginning our parties have grown to become major parts of the events. This year they promise to be
all time.
