Going Bad, for Good: Athletes Across the Country Compete, Raise Money for Prostate Cancer Research
With the Wade F. B. Thompson Matching Grant, nearly $220,000 was raised for prostate cancer research

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — October 16, 2006 — Hundreds of athletes in 30 centers nationally raised nearly $110,000 to benefit the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) by competing individually and as part of teams on September 30th in "Fight Gone Bad," one of the most demanding workout routines in the popular CrossFit exercise regimen. Each dollar was matched by the Wade F. B. Thompson Matching Grant, bringing the total to nearly $220,000 – more than doubling the program’s one-day goal.

"Surpassing our goal makes 'Fight Gone Bad' an important milestone for each man whose fight truly has gone bad because of prostate cancer," said Leslie D. Michelson, chief executive officer of the PCF. "The contribution of these amazing CrossFit athletes will help accelerate research to fund better treatments for the nearly two million men battling prostate cancer."

The competition was organized by Athletes for a Cure, a program of the PCF that gives athletes the opportunity to raise money for prostate cancer research in a variety of sports. Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer in America, affecting one in six men.

"Fight Gone Bad," originally designed for a professional fighter, is a combination of five different exercises done in three rounds of one minute each. CrossFit takes basic fitness exercises — squats, push-ups, pull-ups, dips, dead-lifts, medicine ball throws and more — to emphasize a full range of motion and adds short bursts of cardiovascular elements. The mix is different day-to-day and engages every muscle in your body while providing adequate recovery time for growth.

Petranek Fitness, located in Santa Monica, Calif., raised more than $25,000 — the highest of any CrossFit affiliate in the country. Its founder, Andy Petranek, was the highest individual fundraiser, raising more than $7,500 for prostate cancer research. 

Measured on a point system, CrossFit Los Altos, located in Los Altos, Calif. scored the highest number of collective points — 10,211 by 39 athletes. The PCF was able to secure a sponsorship from Oakley, one of the most coveted brands in performance technology and fashion, and CrossFit Los Altos earned more than $2,500 worth of Oakley products. Connor Martin, of Brand X Martial Arts in San Diego, Calif., scored the highest number of individual points with 448.

About Athletes for a Cure
The CrossFit partnership is part of Athletes for a Cure’s broader effort to assist individual athletes in their quest to raise money for better treatments and a cure for prostate cancer. The Athletes for a Cure program provides athletes with multiple tools to create a home in the racing and fundraising community. Registered participants on www.athletesforacure.org can upload photos, personal stories and race information on their own Web page; set donation goals; send emails to their friends and family through the Friends Asking Friends® network; and watch as their donations climb. For more information, visit www.athletesforacure.org.   

About the Prostate Cancer Foundation
The Prostate Cancer Foundation is the world's largest philanthropic source of support for prostate cancer research. Founded in 1993, the PCF has raised more than $260 million and provided funding for prostate cancer research to more than 1,200 researchers at 100 institutions worldwide. PCF has a simple, yet urgent goal: to find better treatments and a cure for prostate cancer. For more information, visit www.prostatecancerfoundation.org.

Contacts:

Sarah Evans
(310) 633-3012
(310) 570-4705
sevans@prostatecancerfoundation.org

Katie Lambe
(310) 570-4713
klambe@prostatecancerfoundation.org