Sign in if you already have an account.
  
Lost your password?
Close Panel
donate.gif

National Spotlight

Financial Resources —Did you know that there are many financial resources that can help people living with breast cancer? Find out more

Rally for the Cure — Golf, tennis, dinner events and so much more...

Go Passionately Pink to help save lives! — Just wear pink, have fun and raise money to fight breast cancer. Be inspired by the multitude of ideas right here, or think of your own. There are so many creative ways to have fun and fight breast cancer.

Holland America “On Deck for the Cure”

 

On a recent August cruise to Bermuda on the Holland America Veendam, my husband and I were delighted to learn that on the last day at sea, there would be a Holland America-sponsored 5K walk around the Lower Promenade Deck to benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure. A flyer with all the information had been left in our stateroom a few days before, and with no hesitation, we enlisted. Our $15 donation (each) included a pretty cool custom T-shirt, a pink wrist band emblazoned with “Holland America On Deck for the Cure,” and all the pink lemonade we could drink. But most importantly, almost all of our contributions would go to the one cause in the world that is most near and dear to our hearts. You see, I am a two-time breast cancer survivor (going on 17 years now!) who has been a dedicated volunteer with the Susan G. Komen for the Cure North Jersey Affiliate for more than a decade. What a wonderful way this would be to celebrate my birthday (yes, it happened to be my birthday that day!), to celebrate life, out in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean! 

 

It was a beautiful, sunny, not-too-hot day, and although I can’t attest to how many people participated, it was a “good” number of enthusiastic supporters. I and two other survivors stepped forward when the question that’s always asked was asked (“Are there any survivors here today?”), and together we were given the honor of cutting the ribbon for the start of the Walk.  There we were, power-walking along (no jogging/running is permitted on the deck!), helping to raise money so that women who otherwise might not be able to afford it will have access to life-saving screening mammograms and breast cancer care services. Money that will also help fund research that hopefully, will eradicate breast cancer in our lifetimes. Bravo, Holland America.

On Deck for the Cure® is an innovative fundraising initiative founded by Holland America Line in 2006.  On all of Holland America’s 13 vessels, guests are invited to register and participate in a 5K walk around the ship’s upper deck wearing a custom-designed T-shirt and wristband. A post-walk pink lemonade reception – signifying the color associated with breast cancer research – is held for all walkers. Now in its fourth year (of a five-year program), the Holland America Line Foundation has given more than $2.5 million (according to Clare, our on-board  Lifestyle Director) to Komen for the Cure through the On Deck for the Cure program. A minimum of 75% of each registration fee goes to Komen for the Cure, with a minimum guaranteed donation of $250,000 each year. The program runs through March 2012.

I truly encourage all the potential cruisers out there to GO HOLLAND AMERICA and support the cause!

by Kathi Edelson Wolder

 

 
 
Help & FAQs |  Site Map |  Media Center |  Contact Us |  Legal/Privacy Policy |  Report Improper Conduct

© 2011 Susan G. Komen for the Cure®