Bat for the Cure is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that was created to raise awareness about prostate cancer and to educate the public about prevention, detection and treatment. With early detection prostate cancer is 97% curable, but there is not enough awareness to encourage effective prevention. Fans for the Cure was created by Ed Randall, after he went into remission from prostate cancer at the age of 47, and later expanded into the baseball affiliate Bat for the Cure.

Ed is a radio and TV broadcaster for minor league baseball, as well as a cancer survivor. He has taken his cause to the minor league ballparks, with 2011 being his fifth consecutive season of prostate cancer advocacy nationwide. Since the beginning of Bat for the Cure, Ed’s team has been welcomed into more than 500 minor league ballparks.

In 2009 Bat for the Cure joined Big Brothers/Big Sisters, the ALS Foundation and Special Olympics as an Official Charitable Partner of Minor League Baseball. This campaign is the most expansive health care initiative in the history of the minor league.

Minor League Ballparks nationwide have awareness days where they rely on local volunteers to supervise information tables and pass out fliers to fans. The program is especially interested in finding prostate cancer survivors to volunteer in order to provide the best insight into the organization’s message.

Come out and support Bat for the Cure to help give a new meaning to the term “save” in baseball! For more information about the organization and to volunteer visit www.fansforthecure.org.

People of my own heart!  I synched up with the team of First Descents at our Angels on 80 Happy Hour and fell in love immediately with the team, the cause and the tie to outdoor sports.  FD was founded by Brad Ludden, a Nike athlete and professional kayaker who took his passion on a larger scale by creating camps for the cancer community.  At camp, participants can push themselves to the limits through kayaking, rock climbing and other outdoor activities against the backdrops of Utah, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana.

Our very own Rynell Cook (Business Manager at IA and Ewing Cancer Survivor) hit the water last summer in Vail to meet other cancer fighter and survivors ages 18-39.  FD supports young adults with cancer, one of the most underserved demographics, giving them the opportunity to relax, mingle and challenge themselves to their own level.

Applications for next year will begin in January 2010.  Accepted applicants camp for free, with all athletic gear provided as well.  Stay tuned for more information on this group of movers and shakers, we plan to work closely with them!  Also, visit their webpage for more information on their programs, stories, staff, events and volunteer opportunities.  www.firstdescents.org

Sean Brennan, Brad Ludden, Jonny Imerman, Angela Rossi and Me