Throughout the month of October, communities and organization across the country show their support for breast cancer awareness.
During athletic events, players are seen donning pink and honor breast cancer survivors, and those who have passed, throughout the month. One local gym is showing their support through a special event, which is open to the public. CrossFit 1026, a gym in Norfolk on West Omaha Avenue, is hosting a national event to raise money for breast cancer awareness, cleverly known as Barbells for Boobs. “This is our first time doing Barbells for Boobs and we’re excited to have it start here,” stated CrossFit 1026 owner Ryan Goodwin. “It’s a nationwide event that takes place during October. We have funding throughout the year.” Barbells for Boobs is a national event started in 2011 by Zionna Hanson after her best friend, at the age of 26, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Although Hanson’s friend, Cecy, had insurance and a referral from her physician, Cecy was initially denied breast screening services by medical professionals and was recommended for “mammography at age 40”. For the past seven years, Hanson has grown Barbells for Boobs into a global multi-million dollar organization, which drives social change. “Our mission for Barbells for Boobs is to mobilize people to take action in breast cancer,” Goodwin said. “We diagnose, while also using fitness and community, as a way to promote breast cancer awareness and create a community that advocates detection, fitness and wellness.” It is not uncommon to see CrossFit gyms across the United States take part in a greater cause. Gyms all over the U.S. have different workouts and events every year to benefit the community or honor community members. “We’re huge on community,” Goodwin added. “We love to see people succeed and when one person succeeds in our gym, it helps the whole community as a whole. Each individual that comes in here and does a workout, feeds off each other. They see one person doing well or working hard, they have another individual to do some friendly competition with or push the other. We’re really big on family and community.” Goodwin was affected by breast cancer and thought this event was a great way to honor those who have been affected by this disease “It’s a great way to give back to the community,” Goodwin said. “My mom was an individual who has been affected by breast cancer. I thought it was a great way to give her some acknowledgment and some props for fighting something that affects a lot of people worldwide.” Barbell for Boobs starts at 6 p.m. on Friday at the CrossFit 1026 site. The event begins with an opening ceremony, followed by a kids workout (burpees for boobs). Adults then complete the workout “Helen Meets Grace.” “Helen Meets Grace” is a two-person team workout consisting of three rounds of a 400 meter run, 21 kettlebell swings and 12 pull-ups. Then the team must complete 30 clean and jerks as fast as possible. The day concludes with a BBQ for all the participants and their families. “We like to gather after big events like this,” Goodwin said. “After a long, hard workout we feed each other and get everybody some energy and nutrients, and also get to know each other. A lot of times when we’re working out, we do the workout in an hour and people have other obligations and things they need to get taken care of. They go and do their thing and don’t get to talk, chat and figure out who it who in the community. It’s a nice way to reconnect with each individual.” It is a free-will donation event. Goodwin has setup a fund-raiser page at https://www.barbellsforboobs.org/fundraisers/CrossFit-1026 and hopes to raise $1,200. Participants can reserve a spot for the event on the CrossFit 1026 Facebook page. Even if the workout portion is not for you, a person can still make a donation for this great cause and attend the event to cheer on the competitors. As of Monday, the gym was a quarter of the way there. “When you come for the workout, we just ask for a donation,” Goodwin concluded. “You can donate $2 or $10, but know that $120 helps one individual for our event. This money goes nationwide for every individual who might want detection at a younger age or who needs help.” Friday will be a day full of sweat, fun and bonding for a great cause. |
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