Fairfield, CT – July 2, 2012 – Tap Cancer Out, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in the martial art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, recently completed their first yearlong beneficiary fundraising campaign by presenting a check for $22,658.11 to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Connecticut.
While Tap Cancer Out raises money on an ongoing basis through merchandise sales, donations, and sponsorships, the primary source of funding came from their Tap Cancer Out Charity Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournament held at Bunnell High School in Stratford, CT, on April 28th of this year.
The nonprofit challenged competitors to earn their entry fee to compete by fundraising on behalf of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. 49 competitors utilized the nonprofit’s social fundraising platform, StayClassy.org, to raise over $17,000 dollars. That amount nearly doubled the organization’s original goal of $10,000. The top fundraiser was David Patton, representing Team Serra/Longo in Long Island, NY, who raised $2,100. In total over 200 competitors from dozens of schools around the northeast took part in the tournament.
“The generous donations given by all of the participants and supporters of Tap Cancer Out will enable The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to provide patients and their families with much needed support as well as funding life saving research,” said Brandy Sinisi, Campaign Manager for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Connecticut Chapter. “Thank you to the entire Tap Cancer Out team and their supporters for their hard work and determination to put an end not just to blood cancers, but to all cancers.”
“It’s a really special accomplishment not only for our small nonprofit, but for the grappling community as a whole,” said Jon Thomas, Tap Cancer Out founder and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu purple belt. “The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society holds a special place in my heart, so we’re honored to be able to provide them with this amount of funding in just our first year.”
Though Tap Cancer Out is headquartered in the US, their reach has been worldwide, selling merchandise and receiving donations from numerous countries including Australia, Germany, Singapore, Costa Rica and the United Kingdom.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art and self-defense system that focuses on grappling and ground fighting instead of strikes. The art was adapted and mastered in Brazil after being brought from Japan in the latter part of the 19th century. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is not solely a martial art: it is also a sport – a method for promoting physical fitness and building character in people of all ages.
About Tap Cancer Out
Tap Cancer Out is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu based 501(c)(3) nonprofit raising awareness and funds for cancer fight organizations on behalf of the grappling community. Tap Cancer Out was created in 2011 to support the organizations, hospitals, researchers and volunteers who won’t quit until they have forced cancer to “tap out.”
About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society ® (LLS) is the world’s largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world and provides free information and support services.