Skate for Hope (www.skateforhope.org) has announced the program for its fourth annual production, as well as a change of venue and a major corporate sponsor. Skate for Hope is a Columbus-based, premier figure skating event that benefits breast cancer research and cancer awareness.   Skate for Hope is a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) charitable organization that donates its proceeds to The Ohio State University James Cancer Center and the Ohio Health Foundation. Since its inception in 2004, Skate for Hope has raised over $100,000 for breast cancer research.

Skate for Hope will take place at 5:00 p.m., Saturday, September 29, 2007. Because of overwhelming growth and increasing participation, Skate for Hope will move from its traditional venue at The Columbus Dispatch Ice Haus into Nationwide Arena, in order to better accommodate the anticipated audience of 5000+. The move to Nationwide Arena was made possible by a significant contribution by Delaware, Ohio-based JEG’S High Performance (www.jegs.com) and the Nationwide Arena. The JEG'S Foundation for Cancer Research is affiliated with two of only 39 nationally designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers, including the Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute at the Ohio State University.

This year’s Skate for Hope headliners include:

Emily Hughes – 2006 Olympian & US National Silver Medalist
Brooke Castile & Ben Okolski – 2007 US National Pairs Champions
Katy Taylor – 2006 Four Continents Champion and US Pewter Medalist
Parker Pennington – US National Intermediate, Novice & Jr. National Champion.
Jenny Needham Wall – Adult National Skating Champion

More than 100 skaters from the Columbus and Central Ohio area will perform at Skate for Hope, representing the following communities: Delaware; Dublin; Gahanna; Lewis Center; New Albany; Pickerington; Powell; Reynoldsburg; and Nelsonville, Ohio.  Skate for Hope is professionally choreographed, and skaters will dedicate their performances to members of the audience who are breast cancer survivors; other skaters will honor the memory of breast cancer victims.  Scores of Central Ohio businesses have donated services, products and monetary donations to the event. 

Skate for Hope is the creation of Columbus native Carolyn Bongirno, President of the organization and adult amateur skater. Bongirno was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1999 at the age of 32.   According to Bongirno, “Skate for Hope has been enthusiastically embraced by the skating community as an artistic response to the battle against breast cancer.  At the time of my own diagnosis, I had never felt better in my life and was at the peak of my skating form.  Skate for Hope is a celebration of the spirit of survival, and illustrates that breast cancer can, and will, be conquered in our lifetime. We’re thrilled with the generosity and support that we’ve received from businesses in and around Central Ohio, particularly Nationwide Arena, The Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation and JEG’S. The JEG’s Foundation is a valiant supporter of cancer research, so it’s a natural fit for Skate for Hope.”

Tickets for Skate for Hope are available at all Ticketmaster locations and at www.ticketmaster.com, and range from $15.00 to $25.00.

CONTACT:
Patrick Higgins
614-832-5881
phiggins@columbus.rr.com.

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