The Hamptons Paddle & Party for Pink Raises $1.5 Million

Hundreds Get Onbaord to Support BCRF

On August 16, our annual Hamptons Paddle & Party for Pink raised $1.5 million for breast cancer research, a new record for the summer fundraiser. Created by longtime BCRF supporter Maria Baum, the two-part event is a perfect mix of surf and style.

A loving wife, mother of four and accomplished businesswoman, Maria was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011 at the age of 42. The news was totally unexpected, as she had no family history of the disease. When she received the call from her doctor, it changed her life.

After her diagnosis, Maria immediately changed her way of living. A diet once filled with processed foods and little physical activity now centered on exercise and organic fruits and vegetables. Thanks to an introduction from her friend Richard Perry, Maria also picked up paddle boarding as a way to balance her body and mind. She found the practice effective and therapeutic—and it planted an idea in her head.  

Inspired by her journey with breast cancer, Maria felt the need to help other women and men affected by the disease. She and her husband, Larry, combined Maria’s goal to give back with her love of paddle boarding by organizing a small race and party in the Hamptons with the help of friends Richard and Lisa Perry. They were blown away by the community’s support, and Maria recognized the event’s potential to make an even greater impact.

In 2011, the Baums and the Perrys came to BCRF with their idea and, together, the Hampton’s Paddle & Party for Pink was created. Today, the two-part event kicks off in the morning with a World Paddle Association paddleboard race at Havens Beach in Sag Harbor, NY. At sunset, the Perrys welcome supporters to their waterfront residence for an evening party to raise funds for research.

This year, 200 paddlers competed during the morning race and hundreds of guests gathered that evening to support BCRF’s mission to advance the world's most promising research. Attendees included host Tracy Anderson, Leonard Lauder, William Lauder, Mary-Kate Olsen & Olivier Sarkozy, Ashley Olsen, Martha Stewart and Donna Karan. In addition, we had an amazing auction on CharityBuzz.com that accompanied the event to raise more critical funds for research.

We can’t wait to do it again next year!