PLEDGE THE PINK
3 Days, 30 Miles, and 3 Islands
story by HANNAH NICHOLS photos courtesy of FRIPP ISLAND RESORT
Pledge the Pink will return to Fripp Island Golf & Beach Resort again this October 2022 for another year of fundraising, breast cancer awareness, and celebrating their amazing “FlockStars!” Fifteen hundred registrants worldwide come to the Lowcountry every year to walk, run, and crawl their way across three islands over three days. This year, they will enjoy a beautiful 10-mile course on Hunting Island, Fripp Island, and Habersham. After the race each day, Pledge the Pink throws a legendary party at the finish line and boogies down with endless games, raffles, and shenanigans at Fripp Island each night. It truly is the Best Darn Weekend of Their Lives!
Starting in 2011, Pledge the Pink began as a small, local charity race aimed at fighting cancer in South Carolina and getting the Lowcountry in shape. Now, the organization has grown into an ambitious multiday breast cancer event that has raised over 1.5 million dollars in support of the cause and inspired countless people to get off their couch. Most of the money they will raise in their 2022 event will stay right here in the Lowcountry: providing funding for breast cancer screenings, biopsies, treatment, and continuing research. The race proceeds go to 501 (c)(3) non-profits, such as the American Cancer Society, Mayo Clinic, Hollings Cancer Center, Volunteers in Medicine, Comprehensive Health Services, and countless other cancer-fighting beneficiaries. These dollars provide funding for heroic, budget-restricted, non-profit service providers. Pledge the Pink, along with their sister organization Pledge the Pink Foundation, also offers special grants to help with things like patient transportation to treatment, childcare/elder care during their appointments, home care, insurance co-pays, lymphedema support, and medications. The organization does a fantastic job of filling the gaps between treatment and support, and helping people when they need it the most.
Pledge the Pink is currently the second-largest multiday breast cancer event in the country, and when they hold an event, they go BIG. Runners and participants can expect larger-than-life decorations, flamingo displays, fun-themed parties and dinners, drag queen bingo, an art show, dolphin cruises, photo opportunities, and innuendos galore. Fripp Island Golf & Beach Resort and Pledge the Pink even held the Guinness World Record for the longest line of Garden flamingos together from 2019-2022! That’s not to say that this isn’t a serious event, though. The weekend is also full of survivor recognitions and touching tributes to those lost to this terrible disease. A poignant and quiet mile for remembrance on Sunday hammers home the reason for the event: About 42,000 women in the U.S. die every year from breast cancer and about 264,000 cases are diagnosed annually.
But the overall theme of the weekend is positive. There’s an infectious feeling of triumph, overcoming some of the worst life can throw at you, and fighting the good fight against cancer with some of your best friends. The miles fly by for Pledge the Pink’s FlockStars, who have been training for the weekend race all year.
Fripp Island Golf & Beach Resort is thrilled to continue to partner with this fantastic group. While Fripp Island will be the hub of activity for the weekend, FlockStars will start their 30-mile, 3-day walk on Hunting Island on Friday, October 21. Departing from the Fripp Island bridge, participants will make their way along a winding course through the state park and beyond. On Saturday, the runners will head out via bus to Habersham and enjoy the community’s charm for their second 10 miles. Sunday, the third and final day, will have the runners enjoying the unique scenery of Fripp Island. Stations placed along the courses will offer water, aid, and encouragement. The routes may be flat, but they are anything but boring!
The Pledge the Pink weekend kicks off Thursday, October 20, with welcome parties and packet pick-up, and the fun won’t stop until Sunday, October 23, when the last person crosses the finish line. If this sounds like your cup of tea, the organization and Fripp Island Resort ask that Fripp Island and Beaufort residents consider supporting these runners along their journey through volunteering, cheering on the participants, and decorating their homes. Fripp Island Resort is actively coordinating volunteers for the weekend, and you can sign up by calling the Group Sales Department at 843-838-1507.
You can learn more about Pledge the Pink at www.pledgethepink.com and understand their slight flamingo obsession at pledgethepink.com/blog/what-is-fol/. Learn more about Fripp Island Golf & Beach Resort at www.frippislandresort.com. We’ll see you at the finish line!
