DELAWARE, Ohio (May 2) — JEGS Mail Order will once again present the annual Skate for Hope premiere figure skating benefit for breast cancer research and awareness at 5 p.m., Saturday, June 18, at the Nationwide Arena in downtown Columbus, Ohio. Headlined by two-time Olympian and three-time U.S. National Champion Johnny Weir, Skate for Hope attracts many of the top figure skaters in the world as well as more than a hundred young skaters from the greater Columbus area, including Kennedi Coughlin, the daughter of JEGS vice president and co-owner John Coughlin and his wife Diana.
The event aims to utilize figure skating, a sport that epitomizes women’s strength, to help bring attention, resources, and education to the fight against breast cancer.
“On behalf of everyone at JEGS, John and I are thrilled to be involved in such a wonderful and worthwhile event,” Diana Coughlin said. “We’re hoping this year’s Skate for Hope is bigger than ever before and we encourage everyone to come join us in person or make a donation through the SkateforHope.org Web site.”
Skate for Hope already has raised almost $300,000 for the Stefanie Spielman Fund at the Ohio State University James Cancer Center and the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer. JEGS Mail Order is heavily involved in the James Cancer Center through the JEGS Foundation “Racing for Cancer Research” program. “We’re serious about finding a cure for cancer,” Coughlin said. “This is just another way JEGS and our 350 associates can help the cause and we’re honored to do so.
“Skate for Hope presents a passionate and powerful evening. At one point in the show, all the little girls participating skate over and give a rose to a cancer survivor they have chosen to represent and once again Kennedi is skating for her dear friend Paula Wolfinger. It’s very emotional, but it’s also a celebration of survival.”
Also performing during the evening will be Olympian and U.S. National Champion Rachael Flatt, Olympian Emily Hughes, Olympians Emily Samuelson and Evan Bates, Olympians and Jr. National Champions Marcy Hinzmann Harris and Lee Harris, U.S. National Champion Ryan Bradley, U.S. National Champion Alexe Gilles, U.S. National Pewter Medalists Mary Beth Marley and Rockne Brubaker, U.S. Juvenile, Intermediate, and Novice National Champion Joshua Farris, and U.S. National Pairs Champions Caitlin Yankowskas and John Coughlin (no relation).
Olympic Gold Medalist Sarah Hughes will serve as emcee.
Just as he did in 2010, Brubaker will skate a special number with Kennedi Coughlin, which is sure to be a highlight of the show.
“Having Rockne offer to skate with Kennedi again will be so special for her,” Coughlin said. “He’s a special talent and we’re honored to have him as part of the show.
“All of these world-class skaters give so much of themselves to make this event a success and they really embody (founder) Carolyn Bongirno’s vision. Carolyn remains the driving force behind it all and together with creative director Kristen Izzie it’s become such a big part of our lives as well. We can’t wait for June 18th to get here.”
For more information, visit www.skateforhope.org . This event is sanctioned by the USFSA. Skate for Hope is a not-for-profit 501c3 charitable organization.
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Media Contact:
Scott “Woody” Woodruff
JEGS, Director of Media & Motorsports
Office: 800.345.4545 (#3, ext 412)
Mobile: 614.595.1820
Fax: 740.362.5507
Email: jegspr@aol.com < mailto:jegspr@aol.com > -or- scott.woodruff@jegs.com < mailto:scott.woodruff@jegs.com >
Scott “Woody” Woodruff
JEGS, Director of Media & Motorsports
Office: 800.345.4545 (#3, ext 412)
Mobile: 614.595.1820
Fax: 740.362.5507
Email: jegspr@aol.com < mailto:jegspr@aol.com > -or- scott.woodruff@jegs.com < mailto:scott.woodruff@jegs.com >