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Summit Co. snowboarder raises funds for cancer research

Caitlin Row
summit daily news

BRECKENRIDGE – Local snowboard instructor Ryan Myers is doing his part to help Hope on the Slopes organizers raise $42,000 for cancer research.

The American Cancer Society fundraiser is being hosted Saturday by Breckenridge Ski Resort, and on-site registration starts at 7:30 a.m. at Liftside Inn. The competition runs from

9 a.m. to 2 p.m.



Myers said he’s digging deep to raise funds to honor his mother, a cancer survivor. So far, the 24-year-old Breckenridge resident raised $1,720 – he said he hopes to bring that number to $2,000 by Saturday. As of Wednesday, he was in third place for individual funds raised. His 10-person team, Double Diamond Donators, has already gathered $3,525.

“People do a lot of fundraising the last week it seems,” said Susan Scott, community relationship manager with the American Cancer Society based out of Greeley. “I think we have a good chance (to reach our goal).”

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Saturday’s Hope on the Slopes event funds research, education, advocacy and patient services. It will host both skiers and snowboarders, and participants raise money and awareness for the American Cancer Society. They’ll also compete for vertical feet and celebrate their fundraising efforts at Breckenridge Ski Resort.

“We are all hurting in this economy, so giving money away probably isn’t at the top of most people’s priority list,” Myers said. “But so many people found it in their hearts to do what they could, even if that meant just a $5 donation. Enough $5 and $10 donations really added up. One friend made an awesome donation, not with his wallet, but with his time and artistic skill. Matthew Snell spent a lot of time drawing and coloring in a cartoon with our team name to help us advertise for donations, and that was really cool.”

Hope on the Slopes is in its fifth year – it started at Loveland and then moved to Breckenridge last year. Hundreds of people involved with the cause are expected at Breckenridge Saturday, and Scott said the actual competition will have a 50,000-feet cap. Vertical feet will be tracked by GPS devices. Scott also said she expects some participants to reach the cap – after that, they’ll race for gifts.

Past prizes include lift tickets, skis and snowboards and ski clothing.

People can register the day of the event – registration fees are $35 per individual or $200 per team of up to 15 members, and each participant is asked to raise a minimum of $200. Participants will also get $45 lift tickets, meal vouchers, discounted equipment rentals and discounted lodging packages.

“The American Cancer Society helps out a lot of people,” Myers said. “Everyone knows someone who’s been affected by cancer. Luckily my mom survived. It’s a really good thing to be involved in for research, to find treatments to help people live longer.”

For more information about Hope on the Slopes, visit http://bit.ly/b2fmtk. To learn how to form a team, sponsor the event or become otherwise involved, call the American Cancer Society at (970) 350-5017. On Friday or Saturday, call (970) 420-2702.


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