Giving Back

True Wind is proud to support The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and The Leukemia Cup Regatta by donating a percentage of its annual sales to the Society. In 2008, we lost a dear friend to a rare form of leukemia and this is one way for us to remember her and help others fight the disease.

History of The Leukemia Cup Regatta

The Leukemia Cup Regatta started as an event held by the Pine Harbor Yacht Club for the benefit of the Society's Alabama Chapter in April 1988. Funds were raised in memory of a member of the club who lost his life to leukemia, and the Pine Harbor Yacht Club presented the Society with a $5,000 donation at the conclusion of the event.

The Eastport Yacht Club, in Annapolis, MD, pioneered the concept of competition among boats and crews to raise funds for the fight against blood cancers. Their June 1993 event raised $30,000 for the Society's mission, with the yacht club handling all sailing and water-related logistics. The Society's Maryland Chapter coordinated all land-based fund raising and event activities. A total of 40 boats vied for The Leukemia Cup, presented to the crew that raised the most funds, with other prizes awarded to other fund raising crews and sailors.

Enthusiasm for the event spread across the country into other markets after a presentation at a October 2003 national Society leadership conference by noted sailing expert and ESPN commentator Gary Jobson, who now serves as The Leukemia Cup Regatta's national chairman. Jobson, a lymphoma survivor, is actively involved with the Society to help organize other Regattas and recruit sponsors and participants on the national, regional and local levels.

In 2009, the sailing community raised more than $3.5 million at 43 Regattas, bringing the overall campaign results to more than $23 million. More than 11,000 participants took part in the 2009 series.
Visit leukemiacup.org for a schedule of upcoming Regattas.

For additional information please call us at 800.701.5512.