Blades For The Cure's Mission and Vision:
The goal of Blades For The Cure is to use the talents of national and international figure skaters to raise funds to help figure skating families in need due to cancer.Founded in 2008:
Blades For The Cure was founded shortly after the father of 2005 U.S. Novice Men's Champion and 2007 U.S. Junior Men's Bronze medalist Austin Kanallakan was diagnosed with cancer. Some of the parents of the national and international competitors from the Broadmoor Skating Club wondered if there was anything they could do to help.First Show :
On April 12, 2008, the first Blades For The Cure benefit show took place at Sertich Ice Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.Directors:
Blades For The Cure is directed by Eddie Shipstad of Shipstad Entertainment and figure skating coach Damon Allen. Shipstad Entertainment plans to volunteer its time and talents for the show for many years.Organizing Committee:
Jody Flatt, the mother of 2008 World Junior Champion Rachael Flatt, is the chairperson for the Blades For The Cure organizing committee. Allison Scott, the mother of 2004 and 2005 U.S. Men's Pewter Medalist, Jeremy Abbott is in charge of publicity. Andrea Brown, figure skating coordinator at the Colorado Springs World Arena Ice Hall and a cancer survivor, is the group's treasurer.Peggy Fleming Volnteered to Help With Blades For The Cure :
Olympic Champion, Peggy Fleming, a breast cancer survivor, agreed to emcee and host the 2008 show.Cast:
The cast of the 2008 show included 2008 national and international competitors from the Broadmoor Skating Club. Skaters that performed in 2008 included 2007 U.S. Men's Silver Medalist Ryan Bradley, 2008 U.S. National Pair Skating Champions Keauna McLaughlin and Rockne Brubaker, and 2008 World Junior Champion Rachael Flatt. It is hoped that in future shows that top figure skaters from other parts of the United States can participate.Future Goals:
It is hoped that Blades For The Cure will become a yearly event. The goal is that the show will be like An Evening With Champions at Harvard which is the most famous ice skating show that benefits cancer research.The organizing committee also hopes that each year a prominent personality in figure skating will host the event, as Peggy Fleming did in 2008.
