B4BC: Boarding for Breast Cancer

The story begins with a 26-year-old snowboarder named Monica Steward. Thirteen years ago, after discovering a small lump in one of her breasts, she went to the several doctors to get checked out. Doctor after doctor told her that, due to her young age, the lump must be harmless. By the time the cancer was caught, it had progressed to Stage 4 and spread throughout her organs.
Through her frustrating experience, Steward came to realize the lack of awareness among young women regarding breast cancer and began to speak out. Her friends, including pro snowboarders Tina Basich and Shannon Dunn, heard her loud and clear and helped her form B4BC, or Boarding For Breast Cancer.
B4BC is a non-profit organization focused on educating and spreading awareness among youth, as well as promoting an active lifestyle. They work to raise money for cancer research, donating to organizations such as the Susan G. Komen Foundation and the Breast Cancer Fund, and to “increase awareness about breast cancer, the importance of early detection and the value of an active lifestyle.” Steward saw the need to educate youth specifically because, although breast cancer is more likely to manifest itself in women at a later age, it is still possible to contract young. There are few breast cancer awareness programs that target to a younger age. Steward saw an outlet through her passion for snowboarding to reach the demographic that breast cancer groups often overlook.
The first official B4BC event was held at Lake Tahoe in 1996 with the goal of spreading awareness and raising research money. Pro snowboarders came to compete, the Beastie Boys put on a free show, and the first annual Boarding for Breast Cancer Snowboard and Music Festival proved to be a success. Although Steward passed away at just 28-years-old, two months before the event was held, her dream was finally realized.
Hundreds of thousands of dollars raised later, Steward’s B4BC vision is stronger than ever, thanks in no small part to the countless volunteers that devote their time and effort to the cause. Caila Burke, a 21-year-old marketing major at Champlain College, got involved with the organization last year as a Student Brand Ambassador.
“I got involved with B4BC last year when I reached out to them for a semester long assignment for a non-profit marketing class,” she explained. “Jackie Cooper [a fellow Champlain student] and I worked all semester to help B4BC develop and implement a student ambassador program.”
Originating in the West Coast, the B4BC name is not quite as household here in the East. Working with B4BC Outreach Director, Blair Young, Burke set out to change that by focusing on getting B4BC involved with local colleges and snowboarding events. So far, she has teamed up with UVM and Champlain’s Ski and Ride Clubs to spread the B4BC word through meetings, rail jams, and video premieres.
“I have family members and close family friends who have suffered from breast cancer. I have seen what it is like to not realize the effects of the disease until it is too late.” Burke’s personal reasons for getting involved with B4BC mirror the same reasons many others volunteer. “I am also a 21-year-old female, which makes me the prime target for being educated and aware of the disease myself. I take the steps now to be healthier and more active to help prevent the risk of breast cancer.”
The Winter Dew Tour stop in Mt. Snow this past weekend served as a perfect venue to get the B4BC word out. The televised pro snowboard and ski competition drew over 30,000 people to the slopes. Young, Burke, and several other volunteers set up a B4BC educational booth in the tent village, a showcase of the event’s sponsors and snow and ski related companies. Always one of the most popular aspects of snow events, the B4BC booth saw steady traffic all day as the public meandered through the village.
The booth showcases what the B4BC is all about. It includes pamphlets explaining how to perform self exams and the benefits to living a healthy lifestyle, summarized by the slogan, “Early Detection + Active Lifestyle = Best Prevention.” Visitors can donate a dollar or more and receive a pink wristband displaying this slogan and the B4BC logo. One of the more popular attractions of the booth are the three jelly breast molds. Visitors are encouraged to feel the difference between each breast; the first represents a normal, healthy breast, the second represents a breast with fiber-cystic tissue, which is quite common and harmless, and the third contains a potentially dangerous lump. Volunteers instruct both males and females how to examine a breast for lumps, while stressing to the males in particular that 30% of cancerous lumps in women are found by their partners.
Another popular draw to the booth is the product giveaway featuring B4BC collaborations with some of the biggest boarding companies; tee-shirts, hats, jackets, boots from companies like Etnies, Vans, Volcom, and Burton, for example, all sporting the B4BC logo. On the official B4BC website, visitors can buy these products with all proceeds heading towards a cure.
Other companies collaborate with B4BC to organize events. Alex Rice, co-founder of Battle for Burlington, a start-up events series created especially to showcase Burlington’s local college riders, got involved with B4BC through Burke about a year ago. He too felt that existing breast cancer awareness organizations were not reaching the youth demographic.
“I admire B4BC's mission to raise breast cancer awareness to young people by using actions sports as a common denominator,” Rice elaborated. “I think that their message gets through to some kids that traditional channels miss.”
Rice first took on B4BC as a non-profit partner at last year’s Battle for Burlington event at Jay Peak and continued to work with them this year, including at the recent Stowe Battle for Burlington.
“We look forward to continue the ways in which The Battle can help promote B4BC in legit and unique ways,” he continued.
Through their work, B4BC has kept the stories alive of thousands of people affected by breast cancer, including Steward’s. Over the years, the same youth that Steward set out to educate has picked up the reins and volunteered their time to inspire others.
Supporters can look forward to the B4BC’s involvement in upcoming events like the U.S. Open at Stratton Mountain, March 18-21 and the Battle for Burlington at Jay Peak on March 27.
Check out their official website at b4bc.org for more information and volunteer opportunities.
Jackie Stickley