There are many reasons to race sailboats, including satisfying competitive desires, pursuing perfection or enjoy the challenges of long distance courses. A new trend that has grown over the past 15 years is racing for charity. Interestingly, the only time many sailors actually race is to support a charity event. The Leukemia Cup series, Hospice Cup, MS Regatta, Jimmy Fund, Sail for Sight and the Independence Disabled Regatta are a few examples of worthy charities that receive support from sailors. These helpful gestures by cruisers and daysailors made me wonder what is the inspiration to participate?

 First, a little background. I've been chairman of the Leukemia Cup series since 1993. We've grown to nearly 50 events annually. At this writing, I've attended 160 events over the years. Collectively, the Leukemia Cups have raised $21 million for blood cancer research. In 2006, 17,600 people attended a Leukemia Cup and 1,775 boats sailed. Impressive!  The sailing community can take a lot of pride in this accomplishment. And I encourage sailors nationwide to participate in one of these events or other worthy causes.

Each event has its own personality. There are incentives for top fundraisers, good parties, auctions, and the satisfaction of helping people in need. I am one of those people. Recent advanced research helped me battle Lymphoma. It took two years to get it into remission. For all the support and scientists involved helping me and many others, I am mighty grateful.

Jim Ferguson of Dana West Yacht Cub, CA is a typical sailor who only races in a charity event. "Having lost my Dad to Leukemia, we wanted to participate. Our club has done an amazing job raising over $1 million. We involve all sectors of the club. It has been my experience that cruisers will raise more money than racers because they are more focused on the event as a fundraiser." Ferguson says that boats are filled with experienced sailors along with observers who are new to sailing.

Longtime Star sailor Jack Filak of Cleveland, OH, retired from racing several years ago but returns to competition once each year for CYC's annual Leukemia Cup, "My participation gives me the opportunity of racing once again against longtime friends. My crew and I contribute to the fundraising aspects of this regatta, especially the last few years when a close friend was diagnosed and treated successfully for multiple Myeloma.

Each year Michael Cichon, from Tampa, FL, travels to Chicago in honor of his grandmother who died from Leukemia after a 10-year battle. His uncle, Frank Giampoli, was also recently diagnosed with Lymphoma. Michael proudly reports, "A whole lot of generous and caring people helped us raise over $25,000 last year. We want to really step it up this year." One of Michael's fundraising techniques is to host a Lobersterfest a week or two before the regatta, "We raised funds from sailboat gutter races. Our lobster was flown in from Maine."

Lori Giampoli, Frank's wife, says, "There is an electricity in the air at our Leukemia Cup Regatta that is not present at any other race. For us, it is really not so much about the racing, although it would be fabulous to win our section and be top fundraiser. The competition really comes in the amount of money that each boat has raised."

 Jim Ferguson thought hard about how to get cruising sailors involved, "its not much fun doing windward-leewards in a boat like ours, a Celestial 48 named Maggie." To attract other cruisers, Jim created a unique racecourse, "we set up reaching, reaching and more reaching legs. Cruisers enjoy starts, rounding marks and a short windward leg." He continues, "we skip the PHRF rating, find a qualified person to assign reasonable ratings. The less rules the better, "Our goal is to promote reachings, have fun, and raising money to save lives. We now have 40 cruising boats racing in the Leukemia Cup." Ferguson and the crew of Maggie say, "yes, our emphasis is on raising money but getting a trophy every now and then is fun!"

Lisa Thorndike has been an active Leukemia Cup participant at many East coast regattas, "I don't actively sail but I am a blood cancer patient and I'm 100% behind raising money for blood cancer research. I'm hooked on fantasy sail events. These regattas are an annual reunion of the top fundraisers and I enjoy seeing them every year."

Travis Wilhite, Columbia Yacht Club in Chicago, is a regular participant, "the atmosphere at the Leukemia Cup has been completely different than at other events. First of all, there's a sense of unity that comes from supporting a cause."

A researcher, Dr. Stephen Kron, spoke about the importance of research at the Chicago Leukemia Cup. Wilhite observed, "someone asked Dr. Kron what difference the $190,000 meant to him? He said it helps him sponsor a researcher or two for a year to investigate new ideas."

Bob Davis, Niantic, CT, sails an O'Day 28. He has a special incentive to participate, "three years ago at the age of 55 I was diagnosed with CLL. In the beginning not knowing much about the disease it literally took the wind out of my sails. My oncologist turned me on to the Leukemia Society and the regatta. I knew I had to do something. Not just for me but for the thousands of less fortunate. This became my calling." Davis continues, "The bonding for the common cause is very much apparent. The competition tempered with the camaraderie is very moving. Everyone instinctively knows it's not about winning. It's about living!"

David Branning, Annapolis, MD, owns a Tartan 38.  David lost a three week old granddaughter, Shannon, to Leukemia.  "The Leukemia Cup is an extension of my relationship with my granddaughter. Here was an event, focused on a cure that was extremely important to our family. We, as a regatta entry yacht, have raised a lot of money for this event over the past three years."

The Leukemia Cup Regatta series attracts many racing and cruising sailors. The cause is worthy and I encourage everyone to participate in one of these other charity events every year.