[coverattach=1]DELAWARE, Ohio (June 17) -- The annual Skate for Hope production benefitting Breast Cancer Research and Awareness scheduled for 5 p.m., June 20th, at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, will once again be sponsored by locally-based JEGS Mail Order in conjunction with the JEGS Foundation's Racing for Cancer Research program.
Each year, young girls throughout the greater Columbus area work to raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness and a chance to showcase their ice skating skills alongside some of the top professionals in the world at the Skate for Hope event. The Coughlin family got involved for the first time when John and Diana Coughlin's daughter Kennedi participated in the show a few years ago. They've been fervent supporters ever since.
"A wonderful lady by the name of Carolyn Bongirno founded Skate For Hope in 2004 and it's just grown by leaps and bounds ever since," John Coughlin said. "Carolyn had stage-three breast cancer at the age of 33 and she successfully battled the disease. As a skater herself, she credited the positive attitude and support of her friends and fellow competitors with helping her through that tough time in her life. That's how she came up with this idea and it's been such a positive and wonderful experience each year since.
"One of my favorite parts of the evening is when the girls that are performing have a chance to skate over and deliver a rose to someone special in their lives that has been touched by cancer. It let's these people know they're not alone in their fight against cancer."
As part of the benefit, several world-renowned skaters perform for the audience. This year's line-up includes Olympian Emily Hughes, U.S. Nationals silver medalist Rachael Flatt, U.S. Nationals silver medalist Ryan Bradley, U.S. Junior National Champion Parker Pennington, U.S. National Pairs Champions Keauna McLaughlin and Rockne Brubaker, U.S. National Pairs silver medalists Emily Samuelson and Evan Bates, and U.S. National Pairs Champions Brooke Castile and Ben Okolski.
"It's quite a show they put on and the professional skaters are always so gracious with their time," Coughlin said. "Not only do they go out of their way to meet everyone there and sign autographs, but they spend a lot of time with the young girls that look up to them. It's a special evening and we're proud that JEGS is the primary corporate sponsor. It's a cause that is very close to all of us."
Tickets for the event are available at all Ticketmaster locations with lower bowl seats available for just $15. Visit www.SkateforHope.org for more information.
Each year, young girls throughout the greater Columbus area work to raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness and a chance to showcase their ice skating skills alongside some of the top professionals in the world at the Skate for Hope event. The Coughlin family got involved for the first time when John and Diana Coughlin's daughter Kennedi participated in the show a few years ago. They've been fervent supporters ever since.
"A wonderful lady by the name of Carolyn Bongirno founded Skate For Hope in 2004 and it's just grown by leaps and bounds ever since," John Coughlin said. "Carolyn had stage-three breast cancer at the age of 33 and she successfully battled the disease. As a skater herself, she credited the positive attitude and support of her friends and fellow competitors with helping her through that tough time in her life. That's how she came up with this idea and it's been such a positive and wonderful experience each year since.
"One of my favorite parts of the evening is when the girls that are performing have a chance to skate over and deliver a rose to someone special in their lives that has been touched by cancer. It let's these people know they're not alone in their fight against cancer."
As part of the benefit, several world-renowned skaters perform for the audience. This year's line-up includes Olympian Emily Hughes, U.S. Nationals silver medalist Rachael Flatt, U.S. Nationals silver medalist Ryan Bradley, U.S. Junior National Champion Parker Pennington, U.S. National Pairs Champions Keauna McLaughlin and Rockne Brubaker, U.S. National Pairs silver medalists Emily Samuelson and Evan Bates, and U.S. National Pairs Champions Brooke Castile and Ben Okolski.
"It's quite a show they put on and the professional skaters are always so gracious with their time," Coughlin said. "Not only do they go out of their way to meet everyone there and sign autographs, but they spend a lot of time with the young girls that look up to them. It's a special evening and we're proud that JEGS is the primary corporate sponsor. It's a cause that is very close to all of us."
Tickets for the event are available at all Ticketmaster locations with lower bowl seats available for just $15. Visit www.SkateforHope.org for more information.
