Jersey Shore Beach Patrols Continue to Fight Cancer with Fourth Annual ‘Cure at the Shore’

The fourth annual “Cure at the Shore” took place this summer Aug. 3, 4 and 5 at the beaches of the Jersey Shore. From Brigantine to Cape May Point, 13 beach patrols “pinked out” the Jersey Shore with special “Cure at the Shore” T-shirts, and are offering the same T-shirts to the public for a $10 donation. This year’s shirts also feature a blue ribbon, the symbol for colon cancer awareness. 100 percent of profits will be donated to Susan G. Komen and the Colon Cancer Coalition.
Proceeds will also benefit “Get Your Rear In Gear” – a race in Philadelphia which raises funds for colon cancer awareness – in the name of Owen, Jakub and Ben Callahan, the sons of Chris Callahan. Chris is a colon cancer survivor and a 12-year veteran of the Wildwood Beach Patrol. Although diagnosed in July 2014, Chris remained a lifeguard with the Wildwood Beach Patrol that summer, sharing that the beach aided in his fight.
Wildwood Beach Patrol Senior Lifeguard Martin Hagan is credited with the initial concept of “Cure at the Shore.” “I just think that lifeguards put a lot of effort into training and preparation for their beach patrols. Lifeguards are also in the eye of the public, so if we could raise awareness for such a great cause, it is a win-win for everyone,” says Hagan. “I initially thought the idea of ‘Cure at the Shore’ could be applied to an individual event such as a long distance row, a run or a swim, but with help from my chief and captain, it expanded into a much broader concept that will involve a lot more people and hopefully raise a lot more money for the cure,” he adds.
Wildwood Beach Patrol Chief Steve Stocks states that this year, Cure at the Shore is expected to raise approximately $10,000.
The beach patrols partnered with the Wildwood Beach Patrol for “Cure at the Shore” include Brigantine City Beach Patrol, Ventnor City Beach Patrol, Margate City Beach Patrol, Ocean City Beach Patrol, Upper Township Beach Patrol, Sea Isle City Beach Patrol, North Wildwood Beach Patrol, Wildwood Crest Beach Patrol, Cape May Beach Patrol, Atlantic City Beach Patrol, Cape May Point Beach Patrol and Longport Beach Patrol. Stocks would like to thank all of the Wildwood Beach Patrol’s partners and donors for supporting the fight against cancer, and Swell Ocean Rescue for assisting in online T-Shirt sales.
T-shirts are available at the North Wildwood Shirt Shop and online. To purchase your own “Cure at the Shore” T-shirt, visit cureattheshore.com.