Save the fish stories for your buddies, because this bass tournament is about much more than that 10-pounder you caught but nobody saw.
Fish For a Cure is a bass fishing tournament on Saratoga Lake on Oct. 11 that will benefit the Capital Region Circle of Hope and the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. The event, which is being hosted by a Voorheesville-based fishing club called the Helderberg Bassmasters, is a catch-and-release tournament, and all donations are tax-deductible.
One of its organizers and Helderberg Bassmaster member, Dennis LaGrange of Delmar, said that not only is it an important fundraiser for a good cause, but it will simply be a fun event.
`I would love to raise $100,000, $200,000, whatever we can do. Every bit counts,` LaGrange said. `It’s the first year, so if we do $5,000, $10,000, $20,000, whatever it is, I’ll still be happy. I won’t turn anyone down for this.`
There is currently a 100-boat limit on the two-man fishing tournament and the winner will be determined by the overall total weight of six fish caught. There will also be a `lunker prize` for the largest fish reeled in during the tournament.
There is a $50 entry fee per two-man team, plus a minimum $50 donation to the Capital Region Circle of Hope or the American Cancer Society. There will also be an optional $5 per-person cost for the lunker prize. A certificate of boating insurance will also be necessary to enter the bass tournament.
The tournament will be held from 7 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 11, and prize money is a 100 percent payback of the entry fees.
Sponsorship currently includes Rhino Sports and Fox 23 News’ Buddy Check. LaGrange said he is in talks with ESPN to get them involved as well. Corporate sponsors may get involved by calling 577-8341.
`The New York State B.A.S.S. Federation is behind us in all of this,` LaGrange said.
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women after lung cancer, according to the American Cancer Society, and is the most common cancer in women excluding non-melanoma skin cancers. About 1.3 million women are diagnosed with breast cancer annually worldwide, and roughly 465,000 of them die from the disease.
Men are not excluded from the cancer, as the American Cancer Society reports that an additional 2,000 men are diagnosed with it each year.
`My grandmother died from breast cancer,` LaGrange said. `I talked to someone yesterday who told me that his brother had cancer at age 12. This is a good event because how many guys are going to turn around and say that they have breast cancer?`
To make a donation or get a sponsorship confirmation application, send inquires to: Fish For A Cure, Helderberg Bassmasters, P.O. Box 203, Delmar 12054, or call LaGrange at 577-8341.
Make checks payable to `Fish For A Cure` and the proceeds will be divided between the American Cancer Society and the Capital Region Circle of Hope.
LaGrange is asking those interested to sign up and place their donations by Thursday, Sept. 11.“