by Misty Wells
Somewhere in our lives we are all touched by someone, maybe ourselves, that has experienced cancer, PTSD or some other severe type of disease or aliment. Did you know that by fishing you can help find a cure for Pediatric Cancer? The National Pediatric Cancer Foundation is doing just that and they are having fun while saving lives for over 21 years. The Annual Yerrid Foundation, NPCF Grand Slam Fishing Tournament October 5th – 7th is a fund-raising event for Pediatric Cancer raising about $500,000 a year to find new and better treatments for kids. While a majority of cancer research focuses on adult treatments, they fund clinical trials and collaborate with a huge network of hospitals across the nation to fast track less-toxic and targeted treatments for kids, increasing survival rates dramatically. One in 285 children will be diagnosed with cancer; a number that is unbelievable, and they are saving lives by donating millions for treatments and cures through Annual Events like this. Raising dollars and spirits, they have a “Kid’s Fishing Derby” sponsored by Steve Yerrid, where children battling cancer are out of the hospital and fishing from the docks at the Vinoy having a “reeling” good time. www.nationalpcf.org
How about a cure for PTSD, did you know about Wounded Warrior Anglers? The Wounded Warrior Anglers is a group that caters to veterans through alternative therapies, by getting them on the water fishing and teaching them to build their own rods to give them self-worth. Many of these veterans suffer Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, or other mental illnesses. “Did you know that 23 veterans are dying of suicide daily? It’s the veterans who gain the most benefit from this program”. Mike Plainte, a former Navy Corpsman, said he moved to Southwest Florida in 2012 and became a recluse who rarely went out. “I always had a joy for fishing. One day I met Judy & Dave driving down the road and they told me to go online to check it out,” Plainte said. “Now, I fish for a living. I’m a kayak angler, I do charters and tournaments. They lifted me back up.” So come join us at the Plantation on Crystal River Redfish Classic the weekend of September 21st to raise money for WWA, meet Ronnie Green host of “A Fishing Story”, Jason Maniecki, the Buc’s former defensive tackle and me. Thanks to Freedom Boat Club of Tampa Bay, we have $5,000 in prize money to give away, so you can fish, catch, cure & win. www.plantationredfishclassic.com
Hooked on Hope is another amazing event held October 12th weekend in Tampa Bay. To date, Hooked on Hope has raised nearly $300,000 for the breast cancer patients in the Tampa Bay Communities! Funds are used to purchase post-operative medically needed surgical garments and other needed items not covered by insurance, for approximately 200 uninsured and under-insured patients each year! In addition, a grants program helps patients fighting breast cancer with treatment support to assist patients with items such as prescriptions, office co-pays, and hospital co-pays and living expenses during breast cancer treatment. Here is the cool thing- all you have to do is sign up, fish, and have fun, they provide the captain, boat and good times. The organization began when two sisters, Captain Lori Deaton and Mary Ostien, could not find any fishing tournaments benefiting local breast cancer programs. So the sisters combined Lori’s expertise as a professional fishing guide and Mary’s background in oncology care and education to do something for breast cancer patients in the Tampa Bay communities. Sign up or Sponsor at www.hookedonhope.org Now you see how fishing is replacing hospital beds with fishing rods and working to Cure our Communities one fish at a time.
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