Local surfing legend and cancer survivor Bob Voglin, Drs. Thomas Spillane and Karen Allen, along with members of the local surfing community and French Hospital Medical Center are pleased to announce the third annual Surfing for Hope. This two day event, to be held on October 3 and 4, features a benefit dinner and longboard surfing contest in honor of cancer survivors. This event is designed to help inspire people challenged by cancer through the positive energy of surfing. Proceeds from the event will benefit the programs and services offered by the Hearst Cancer Resource Center located at French Hospital Medical Center.
The event will begin at 4 p.m. on Friday, October 3 with a memorial paddle out at Avila Beach to honor friends and loved ones who have lost their battle with cancer. The paddle out is open to the community.
Following the paddle out, a luau themed Benefit Reception will take place at 5:30 p.m. at the Avila Beach Golf Resort, catered by Maegen Loring. The evening will include a performance by Na Mele o ke Kai Hula Dancers and an auction featuring surf-themed items. Tickets to the dinner are $100 per person.
On Saturday October 4, a Longboard Surf Contest and Family Fun Fair will be held at the Pismo Beach pier. The Surfing Contest will be held on the south side of the pier with onsite registration beginning at 6 a.m. The contest includes divisions for all ages as well as a category for stand up paddlers. Entry fees are $30-$60. A Pure Stoke Heat will add fun and entertainment to the contest, with groups of two to six surfers invited to be creative and zany by dressing alike and using similar maneuvers, tricks, team chants or cheers while surfing. The Pure Stoke Heat will be judged on best creativity and overall positive vibe.
The Family Fun Fair, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, is free and open to the public. It will feature activities for the whole family, live music, and food vendors. An awards reception will follow the surf competition at Steamers of Pismo.
Proceeds from Surfing for Hope will support the Hearst Cancer Resource Center (HCRC). The HCRC emphasizes a holistic approach to a patient’s well being during their cancer care. The center’s services are provided free of charge and include support programs, nurse navigator, nutritional coaching, holistic and alternative practices, spiritual and therapeutic social activities and much more.
For additional information, to buy tickets for the Surfing for Hope Benefit Dinner or to sign up for the Surf Contest, please visit www.surfingforhope.org or call the French Hospital Medical Center Foundation at 805-542-6496.
About French Hospital Medical Center
French Hospital Medical Center, located in San Luis Obispo, California, is rated one of the Top 100 Hospitals in the nation and one of the Top 50 Cardiac Hospitals in the nation by Thomson Reuters. The Copeland, Forbes, and Rossi Cardiac Care Center provide the latest innovative cardiac and imaging technology on the Central Coast. The hospital’s current modernization and redesign project is an example of the commitment to meet the growing needs of the community with lifesaving advancements in medicine coupled with excellent, compassionate care. The hospital is home to the unique Hearst Cancer Resource Center offering free education, resources and support to cancer patients and their families. French is a Dignity Health member of the Central Coast which also includes Arroyo Grande Community Hospital in Arroyo Grande, CA and Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria, CA. Dignity Health of the Central Coast is an integrated network of top quality hospitals, physicians from the most prestigious medical schools, and comprehensive outpatient services including primary care offices, premier ambulatory surgery centers, technologically-advanced laboratories and imaging centers and a full service home health agency; all recognized for quality, safety and service. Each hospital is supported by an active philanthropic Foundation to help meet the growing health care needs of our communities.