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FORT MYERS, FL (January 17, 2011) – Each year close to 50 yacht clubs across the country hold sailing regattas to raise funds for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). Called Leukemia Cup Regattas, these fun sailing events have brought in more than 35 million dollars over the past six years.
On Saturday, April 16, the St. Charles Yacht Club (SCYC) in south Ft. Myers will host its first Leukemia Cup Regatta, with competition held aboard a fleet of Colgate 26 sailboats donated by Ft. Myers based Offshore Sailing School. Owned and operated by SCYC members Steve and Doris Colgate, Offshore Sailing School became a National Sponsor for the Leukemia Cup Regattas in 2010.
The 2011 Leukemia Cup Regatta will be held in the Gulf of Mexico off the shores of the Pink Shell Beach Resort & Spa on Ft. Myers Beach, which is providing dockage and box lunches for the event. 
The Club expects a minimum of six SCYC member teams participating and is this year inviting other area yacht clubs to each send one four-person team to compete. The entry fee is $125 per competitor, which includes lunch during the races and the awards barbecue at the St. Charles Yacht Club Saturday night. Spectators may watch the races aboard member yachts for a donation of $35 which includes a box lunch. A portion of both these fees is tax deductible.
"Getaway" Items Featured at Silent Auction
In 2009, SCYC held its first Commodore’s Cup Regatta on behalf of LLS, with six teams competing. That event, won by the all-women team St. Charlie’s Angels, resulted in more than $23,000 going to LLS from a silent auction and event fees.
“We expect this year’s regatta and silent auction to far surpass our 2009 fund raising efforts,” says Doris Colgate, co-chair of the  event and Offshore Sailing School’s CEO and president. Some of this year’s “getaway” auction items include a week-long Canal du Midi cruise in France on a 47’ power yacht donated by The Moorings Le Boat, a weekend stay in a private home on North Captiva, a week-long stay in a three-bedroom lakefront condo with views of Lake Michigan, and a mini-vacation provided by South Seas Island Resort.
Other commitments include gold earrings from Maine-based A.G.A. Correa, known for hand-made nautical designs; a $1500 gift certificate from popular Congress Jewelers on Sanibel Island; and an $1100 gold ladies pendant with diamonds and black Tahitian pearl donated by club members Carol and Mel Manker.
Kick-off Event February 19
The kick-off event and dinner for the St. Charles Yacht Club Leukemia Cup Regatta will be held February 19 at the Club to introduce sailors, spectators and those who want to learn more about Leukemia Cup Regattas and the LLS mission. “Several of our Club members are survivors of leukemia or lymphoma, and so many of us have been touched personally by friends and family who are affected by blood cancers,” says Chuck Wright, past SCYC Commodore and chair of the event sponsor committee. Local and national sponsors may sponsor each boat, with each boat bearing its sponsor’s logo and tickets available for all the events. 2009 regatta defending champs and runners up will be on hand at the kick-off to challenge all to get involved.
Steve and Doris Colgate are dedicated to the LLS mission for many reasons, but particularly because one of their best friends, a lymphoma survivor is Gary Jobson, spokesperson for the Leukemia Cup Regattas. “Gary did not know when he accepted that position, that he would be diagnosed with lymphoma two years later,” reports Doris. “Blood cancers are so prevalent,” continues Colgate, whose close friend’s daughter (a survivor) was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease at age 25 more than four years ago; and whose long-time housekeeper’s son, recently diagnosed with stage 3 lymphoma is currently undergoing treatment. “Happily, the treatment for all of our friends and those we hear about are resulting in positive lifestyles,” says Colgate.
“The Regatta is all about having fun and raising money for a cause that is so worthwhile,” says Malen. Wednesday prior to the Regatta, members will bid on each boat as “honorary skippers” and the stakes go pretty high as favored teams take the spotlight reports Malen. A crew meeting is held Friday evening prior to the races, conducted by the race committee: Steve Colgate (Olympic sailor and chairman of Offshore Sailing School), Carol Robinson, avid sailor and official US Sailing judge for the regatta; and Jeff Butzer, principal race officer who will supply the race committee boat and officially run the regatta series of races.
Sailing Courses Offered
For those who haven’t sailed a Colgate 26 and want to participate in the Regatta, Offshore Sailing School is holding on-water familiarization sessions and offering its three-day Learn to Sail course and two-hour sailing lessons for potential competitors and interested family and friends. A portion of the proceeds from those tuitions will go to LLS as part of the SCYC Leukemia Cup Regatta fund raising efforts.
For information on St. Charles Yacht Club: contact General Manager, Jill Kempa at 239-466-2007, genmgr@stcharlesyc.com. For participation in the Leukemia Cup Regatta as a competitor, sponsor or to provide an auction donation: contact Doris Colgate 239-985-7511, doris@offshoresailing.com. Photographs are available for media on request.
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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.
Founded in 1949 and headquartered in White Plains, NY, LLS has chapters throughout the United States and Canada. To learn more, visit www.LLS.org or contact the Information Resource Center at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET. www.lls.org
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