At Tap Cancer Out, we’re more than just a nonprofit—we’re a community that thrives on the strength and dedication of our supporters. One of the best ways we connect with this incredible community is by visiting schools and training alongside the very people who make our mission possible. Not only do we get to share information about our tournaments, but we also get to hit the mats with some of our top fundraisers and most ardent supporters.
Bringing the Mission to the Mats
Spending time with the schools and professors who carry the torch for TCO is an essential part of what we do. By immersing ourselves in the training environments where so many of our fundraisers and competitors sharpen their skills, we can better encourage them to join the Tap Cancer Out mission. These visits allow us to spread awareness, build relationships, and most importantly, thank the individuals who make a real impact in the fight against cancer.
The Open Mat to Rule Them All: Charlotte Jiu Jitsu Academy
Recently, TCO’s Executive Director Jon Thomas visited Charlotte Jiu Jitsu Academy (CJJA), home to the current Top Individual Fundraiser in Charlotte, Matt Labell, as well as TCO-alumni Dave Bannan, for their infamous Sunday Open Mat. Matt has already raised over $6,000 for the upcoming tournament and backs up his fundraising efforts with some tough rolls on the mats. The warm welcome from CJJA, including an appearance from academy owner and NC legend John Piper, and Matt’s commitment to both the sport and our cause was inspiring. As of the time of publishing CJJA sits atop our Team Fundraising Leaderboard for our Charlotte BJJ Open. We’re incredibly grateful for their dedication to making a difference!
Charlotte Jiu-Jitsu Academy
Empowering Women at Top Martial Arts
Meanwhile, TCO’s Academy Relationship Manager Sarah—a White Belt and passionate advocate for women in jiu-jitsu—attended an all-female open mat at Top Martial Arts in Pineville, NC. This competition-style training was hosted by GLOSS (Grappling Ladies of Southeastern States), an initiative designed to promote women training together and highlight female grapplers from the Southeast. Sarah had the opportunity to spread the word about the upcoming Tap Cancer Out tournament in Charlotte and connect with an amazing group of women pushing the sport forward.
GLOSS Event
Coast-to-Coast Support from Top Fundraisers
Beyond Charlotte, our team also made its way to Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey to meet some of our past and present top fundraisers. We kicked off the trip in Connecticut where we visited Technique BJJ and Professor Chris Rowan, our 2024 Connecticut Top Fundraising Team, as well as Gracie Sports Fairfield TCO Hall of Fame Fundraiser Dino Cotiletta taught an early morning No-Gi class. Though we may have been jet-lagged and blurry-eyed, we persevered! In New York City we dropped by Gracie Barra Upper West Side, where we were welcomed by Long Island’s 2024 Top Fundraiser, George Segarra. The NYC basement rolls are no joke either!
Technique BJJ
Gracie Barra Upper West Side
We concluded our trip at Garden State BJJ Academy where we hosted our friend and No-Gi World Champion Junny Ocasio for a seminar in honor of GSBJJ’s incredible fundraising efforts for our 2024 Global Grappling Day where they raised an astounding $58,633—the 3rd-most ever by an academy for ANY TCO event!
TCO Executive Director, Jon Thomas with World Champion Junny Ocasio at Garden State BJJ
Seeing the enthusiasm and dedication of these individuals reaffirms why we do what we do—they are the backbone of our movement.
Join the Tap Cancer Out Movement
These school visits remind us why our mission is so important. Whether through fundraising, competing, volunteering, or simply spreading the word, every person we meet brings us one step closer to making a meaningful impact in the fight against cancer. If you or your school are interested in getting involved, don’t hesitate to reach out! Let’s hit the mats and continue this fight together.
Thank you to everyone who welcomed us into their academies, rolled with us, and supported our cause. We’ll see you at the next tournament—let’s keep fighting for those in the fight of their lives!