For some, turning 50 is cause for a midlife crisis. For veteran sailor Jon Litt and his good friend and sailing partner Paul Dunay, the milestone became the opportunity of a lifetime. The “weekend warrior” mates decided to sail 635 nautical miles in the Newport Bermuda Race, the largest amateur race on the east coast—and raise money for BCRF.
Though the friends had done their fair share of racing in the Connecticut sailing community, they had never added a charitable component. To celebrate a birthday and support a cause that affected loved ones in both their families was a chance the duo couldn’t turn down.
“You don’t see many men talking about this topic, so we thought we’d raise money and bring attention to breast cancer the way they do in other sports,” said Dunay. The two set a lofty goal of $50,000 and crossed their fingers they’d hit the number by the close of sailing season. They didn’t have to worry; Team Terrapin surpassed its goal in a few weeks. “I don’t know if we hit a nerve, but we received an outpouring of support from family, friends and their circles.”
Though Team Terrapin didn’t win the big race, Litt and Dunay are still proud of what they’ve accomplished. “We’ve brought attention to the disease, raised money for research and risked our lives for the women we love.”
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