All proceeds raised from the Hyde Park Blast in 2010 were donated to The Wellness Community and Cancer-Free Kids. More than $220,000 has been donated to several charities since the Blast was founded in 2001. In 2011, we will donate proceeds from the Blast to The Cure Starts Now and The Wellness Community. The Blast is dedicated to helping our community fight cancer!
The Cure Starts Now
The Cure Starts Now was started by Brooke and Keith Desserich to raise money for pediatric brain cancer research after Elena, their oldest daughter, was diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) at the age of 6 years old. Elena’s fight against DIPG ended in August 2007 but her inspiration lives on in the book, “Notes Left Behind,” and her parents’ dedication to finding a cure for cancer. Many cancer experts believe that research directed at pediatric brain cancer may offer clues to curing other forms of cancer, both adult and pediatric. Learn more about brain cancer and what you can do to help find the homerun cure by curing one child at a time. Start by visiting
www.thecurestartsnow.org.
The Wellness Community
The mission of the Wellness Community is to help people with cancer, and their loved ones, enhance their health and well-being by providing a professional program of emotional support, education and hope. More information is available at www.cancer-support.org. Funds raised by the Hyde Park Blast support the Wellness Community's Physical Health and Wellness Education programs, including Fitness for Life, Tai Chi and Yoga. These events, sponsored in part by the Blast, support those in need.
Other Local Community Initiatives
In the past, the Hyde Park Blast has also supported community-based initiatives or fitness-based groups, as well as partnering with other non-profit foundations or organizations for different initiatives. Give Back Cincinnati, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the Hyde Park Center for Older Adults and Cincy Express (a local multi-sport team) are past examples. For several years, the Blast provided funding to CancerFree Kids, a non-profit that raises awareness for pediatric cancer research. In this country, more children die from cancer than any other disease. In 2005, the Blast began a partnership/art contest with Artworks, a local non-profit art organization called Red, White and Shoe. The RWS event involved the local art community and various local design agencies. The goal was to help support their kids' apprentice art program and provide custom art awards for each age group and overall winners. The initial year received support from Nike, as well as national press, and the Blast was proud to support this unique project.