KB4C MI
October 11-18, 2024 — St. Joseph, Michigan
KB4C Final Details - We did it together!
We did it with your passion, generosity, and grit for helping young adult cancer survivors. Everyone here at Project Koru is brimming with gratitude for all the wonderful people who support our organization and this event. Cancer takes... and YOU give back!
KB4C MI, 2024 Results and Support Raised
TOTAL FUNDRAISED = $14,718. Enough for more than 7 young adults who have been diagnosed with cancer to attend a week-long Camp Koru program with Project Koru and find healing beyond cancer!!! That is almost a full camp of participants to connect with Project Koru. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
Fundraising Winners
1st - Roger Wakeman $3,600
2nd - Rusty Malkemes $2,050
3rd - Paul Andrus $1,848
Overall / Kiteboarding Miles
1st - Paul Andrus 223mi
2nd - Rusty Malkemes 174mi
3rd - Susie Mackens 115mi
Mixed Division Miles
1st - Mike Hickner 71mi
2nd - Ryne Wellman 53mi
3rd - Tyler Spence 43mi
Women
1st place - Susie Mackens 115mi
Total miles logged in one week by competitors = 775 miles!
Total funds raised = $14,718!
What is KB4C?
Mission
KB4C is best defined as part water sport race, part fundraising competition, part chaos, and all fun. Our mission is to harness the power of the elements to benefit lives affected by cancer. We bring riders across water sport disciplines together to share the stoke, build community, challenge themselves, and do good for the young adults affected by cancer.
KB4C is very different from most other events. There is both a fundraising and water sport component that riders compete in. Register today and join in on the fun! We started from kiteboarding, but we have grown to so much more. We harness the wind, the water, and a board to help those in need.
All funds raised benefit Project Koru, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that helps young adult cancer survivors find healing and renewal beyond their diagnosis through our survivorship programs that are directly funded by the efforts of KB4C fundraisers and participants.
Join us in fundraising and competing to benefit the lives of young adults who have been affected by cancer.
The Competition
The Endurance Derby
The main event: a week-long endurance competition tracked using your preferred tracking device or system. Designed to embody the battle that someone facing cancer endures every day, riders are challenged physically and mentally to ride as many miles as they can.
The competition runs from October 11th-October 18th and is open to kiteboarders, kitefoilers, wingfoilers, surfers, and SUPers in the Great Lakes region in and around Michigan and neighboring areas. If you have a board, you can rack up miles and compete!
The Fundraising Competition
KB4C is a fundraising competition, with riders racing against one another to raise the most money. The money raised goes directly to the singular effort of Project Koru, which is to bring as many young adult survivors to our programming. These programs facilitate the healing process after receiving a life-changing diagnosis.
The fundraising competition starts now and runs all the way to the awards ceremony on Friday, October 18th. Competitors are required to fundraise a minimum of $250 to place on the podium for most miles and receive any free swag. Need help? Check out our comprehensive fundraising guide.
Top 30 fundraisers receive a KB4C athlete hat and swag bag given out at the closing party on October, 18th.
Top Fundraising Prize:
A trip to Pelican Reef, La Ventana, Mexico!
5 nights, 6 days for two in a private air conditioned casita.
Activities in La Ventana include water sports, hiking, mountain biking, and more!
Click here to check out Pelican Reef’s website for more details!
The Closing Party
On Friday night of October 18th at The Box Factory, we will come together to celebrate all we have accomplished, hand out awards, and connect with each other over this incredible cause. Competitors who come to the after party will be able to collect their swag and awards. RSVP for the party HERE! *We are not able to ship items to participants.
KB4C Michigan Timeline
Join us!
Register to compete in KB4C. The fundraising competition starts NOW!
Race Dates: October 11 - 18th , 2024
Go as hard as you can from October 11-18th to take home the gold! This is a distance challenge, meaning riders will track their mileage using their phone or watch. You will upload your miles into your Rally Up page (How to add my miles).
*You must be able to show proof of your miles if requested.
Fundraise
Secure your lead as top fundraiser by leveraging your network to crush your fundraising goals. Check out our comprehensive fundraising guide for guidance every step of the way, or reach out for one-on-one support.
Group Ride & Closing Party
Friday, October 18th, 7-10pm
Group ride at Tiscornia Beach in St. Joseph, MI. Red Bull DJ truck, demo day, and a group ride to finish off a week of riding starting at 10am.
Closing party at The Box Factory in St. Jospeh, MI with support from Founders Brewing, Silver Beach Pizza, and Red Bull.
Let’s come together! A party, to crown our champions, celebrate our impact, and look cool doing it! Come for free food, kickin’ tunes, an awards ceremony, dancing, drinks, and fun. Suggested $10 donation at the door. Join us for an evening of bringing the water sport community together for a great cause!
The Cause
KB4C benefits Project Koru, a nonprofit that empowers young adults with cancer to find healing and life renewal through outdoor adventures and community. The organization and its programming was founded from Kiteboard 4 Cancer funding. KB4C continues to fuel our mission and help bring participants to our program.
It is often assumed that if someone is a cancer “survivor,” their battle with cancer is over–but this is seldom true. Survivorship is a long and complicated journey, and many survivors continue to experience symptoms, side effects, ongoing treatments, risk of recurrence, and uncertainty beyond their final appointment. Another common myth is that once someone has finished treatment and is declared “cancer free,” they are happy and healthy, but this erases the complexities of survivorship as well. Cancer may have spared these individuals their lives, but the scars left behind are often more severe than the fight itself.
Research shows that post-treatment is when mental and emotional struggles really set in. The life offered to participants of Project Koru includes mental health guidance, adventure and nature therapy, and most importantly a renewed sense of community and lifelong support from other young adult survivors. Cancer takes our ability to live, and Project Koru’s goal is to help survivors take it back.
“Being here shows me that life goes on. And it can still be beautiful and amazing, despite everything we’ve gone through.” -PK Alumni
Learn about all the amazing work supporters make possible at projectkoru.org
Get Involved
For Individuals
Want to help out with the hands on? Join KB4C as a volunteer! We need help with everything from outreach to party set up. Apply by sending us an email at programs@projectkoru.org. Check out our list of volunteer needs:
Be an amplifier — Promote KB4C by hanging up posters, posting on social media, and marketing in creative ways.
Scope out sweet prizes — Join our leadership team as a prize procurer — great for someone who has good interpersonal skills and a pulse on whats hot in the water sports industry!
Work party support — Be an extra set of hands for (1) set up and take down, (2) work the door, (3) man the merch table, or (4) help us manage prizes and auction items. If you apply for this position, please specify what position sounds most fun for you! Dates needed: Oct 19th
Drink slinger — Pour up the refreshments and get the party flowing! We are looking for TIPS or TAMS certified bartenders (or folks who are willing to get their license!) Dates needed: October 18th, 7-10pm
For Businesses
Interested in supporting the KB4C mission by becoming a sponsor? Please contact us to discuss.
Sponsors
