Setting the fundraising goal at $115,000 may have seemed ambitious, but the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation’s third annual Batting Against Breast Cancer largely exceeded that number last week.
Around 250 people, on 17 teams, were able to raise $150,000 during the daylong slo-pitch tournament at Chinook Winds Ballpark, Aug. 6. The final number is expected to be even larger once the full tally is completed.
“We knocked our goal out of the park,” said organizer Willow Ridley. “We are really excited about that total. The community support in Airdrie has been fantastic and we wouldn’t be successful without it. Hosting there has just been great.”
Batting Against Breast Cancer, which began in 2009, had only four other locations across Western Canada: Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Regina and Edmonton. The Airdrie event had less teams than what they were looking for, but were still able to beat the financial goal.
Teams had to raise a minimum of $2,500 to compete and one team brought in $22,000. Last year’s fundraising total was $105,000, after the goal was set for $75,000.
“It’s a real unique event because it’s team-based and people can combine ideas for fundraising,” Ridley said. “It’s been great for positive support and I think people are really touched by it.”
Airdrie Mayor Peter Brown, dressed fully in pink attire to show support, was captain for one of the teams. He attended last year’s Batting Against Breast Cancer tournament and was so impressed with it that he said he had to get a team in for this year.
“It was a phenomenal event and a great day with an amazing amount of money being raised,” Brown said. “I thought it would be a great opportunity to get involved, as it’s a very well-run event with tons of support. It’s very positive for the city. It’s a great place to grow and we’re very pleased of our association with it.”
“I think he was really blown away,” Ridley added.
Next year’s edition of Batting Against Breast Cancer in Airdrie has already been scheduled for Aug. 11 at Chinook Winds Ballpark.
