31 Days, One Mission: Compete for a Cure Rallies Gyms to Support Breast Cancer Survivors
In their lifetime, one in eight women will receive a breast cancer diagnosis.
This statistic is part of what led Lindsey Marcelli to found Compete for a Cure in 2022, a nonprofit dedicated to helping breast cancer survivors thrive through fitness, education, mental health support, and resources.
- And this is also what motivated her to start their annual 31for31 campaign, a campaign with ambitious goals this October.
The goal: Marcelli aims to register at least 1,000 gyms to host either a workout or a larger event during the 31 days of October, and she hopes each participating gym member will donate or raise $31.
- If the average gym has 31 members participating, the campaign could raise nearly a million dollars this October.
This would significantly help clear their current waitlist of breast cancer survivors, “and also ensure every new applicant gets the care and resources they need immediately,” Marcelli said.
Remind Me
Compete for the Cure has been around for several years and has raised thousands of dollars for breast cancer survivors so far.
Last year, the 31for31 campaign raised $34,000.
- The funds raised support grants of $3,500 for individual breast cancer survivors. These grants provide 12 weeks of personalized fitness programs, Healthy Steps Nutrition (HSN) coaching, MentalFit scholarships, and access to educational courses and wellness resources.
How 31for31 Works
Gyms that register can host a fundraiser workout or event on any day in October that works for them.
- Participants then set up fundraising pages on the Compete for a Cure website and rally support from friends and family to donate $31, which goes directly to the Thrive Program to provide “life-changing support to breast cancer survivors,” Marcelli said.
The Big Picture
Marcelli explained that in the past 90 days, Compete for a Cure has awarded more survivor grants than it did in the previous three years combined. And while that is “incredible,” it also means their current funding can’t keep up with the demand.
Currently, 30 breast cancer survivors are waiting for support, and they receive one to two new applicants each day.
- “Our ultimate goal? To never have a survivor wait for support,” Marcelli said.
She added, “But this campaign isn’t just about Breast Cancer Awareness Month. For us, supporting survivors is an everyday mission. But if October helps shine a bigger light and motivates more people to step up, then we’re all in.”
