LAP-A-THON SUPPORTS BREAST CANCER RESEARCH

 On Feb. 12, Boys Against Breast Cancer (BoyzABC) will present its second annual Winter Lap-A-Thon at Tamalpais High School in Mill Valley. Proceeds will provide financial aid to Bay Area families impacted by breast cancer and support UCSF breast cancer research.

   BoyzABC was started early in 2012 by two seventh graders at Mill Valley Middle School, David Fineman and Ryan Hemmeter. When Fineman found out that his mom was diagnosed with breast cancer he wanted to help, but wasn’t sure how.  The boys rallied a group of their friends to organize a basketball fundraiser, “March Madness Makes a Difference,” a free throw shooting event. All proceeds went to the Hugo Breast Cancer Research Fund at UCSF, which supports women with breast cancer in Marin County and the Bay Area.     

   Fineman and his friends have continued this effort for the past 11 years.  More recently, Fineman started a fund that provides financial support for families in need that have been impacted by a breast cancer diagnosis. This includes monies for food, transportation, housing, medication co-pays and mental health/wellness support. In its first 11 months the fund has assisted more than 25 families impacted by a breast cancer diagnosis. 

  “It’s a great cause all started by a group of Mill Valley boys — now young men — who are really having an impact, both in supporting cancer research and more recently, assisting families in need,” said the coordinator’s father, Dr. Jeff Fineman, professor and vice chair of Pediatrics at UCSF. 

   Lap-A-Thon sponsors can support a swimmer with a flat amount or donation per lap that the swimmer completes in a designated period of time. Participant age groups include 8 and under; 9-10 years old; 11-12 years old; 13-17 years old; and 18 and older. There will be prizes for swimmers, a silent auction and special appearances by Olympic and world champion swimmers.  For more information, visit charity.pledgeit.org/BoyzABC.