Huntington Beach, CA – December 7, 2011 – Mammograms In Action (MIA), a Southern California based nonprofit breast cancer organization, announced today that they are launching their first MIA Breast Health Care Grant program for the 2012-2013 grant season.

Designed to support community based non-profit breast centers nationwide, these funds are now available to qualified organizations thru the grant application process. Grantees must be able to administer and/or manage the MIA grant funds to support qualified women and men who need screening and/or diagnostic procedures in the prevention of breast cancer.

The Request for Applications (RFA) with specific guidelines on how to apply for a MIA Breast Health Care Grant is available online at http://www.mammogramsinaction.org/apply-for-a-grant

Mammograms In Action began in 2009 and has already awarded $30,000 in grants to breast centers with an additional $200,000 allocated for the 2012-2013 grant season. These funds have primarily been raised thru the grassroots efforts driven by athletes and supporters in the CrossFit community. The Pink Bra Tour and Amazing Grace Barbells for Boobs events this past October (www.barbellsforboobs.org) involved over 12,000 participants across 395 CrossFit affiliates in 45 states and 5 countries around the globe, raising a total of $600,000 for the breast cancer cause.

“Every man and woman deserves the opportunity to be screened for breast cancer and we have the ability to take action and reach thousands of underserved individuals nationwide, “ said Zionna Munoz, president and founder of Mammograms In Action. “Funding for screenings and diagnostic procedures is not only a necessity, but really does save lives. Our mission is possible, our message is simple: Save a pair, save a life.”

For more information about the available grants and deadlines to apply, please visit:
http://www.mammogramsinaction.org/mia-breast-health-care-grant

Saturday, we kicked off the Pink Bra Tour with 2 events: Crossfit 714 and Canyon CrossFit. Sunday was our final event of the weekend at CrossFit South Bay. A Reebok representative, Bri Moreno, and a few CrossFit studs (Kris Clever, Katie Hogan, and Becca Voigt) were there for the events on Saturday and Sunday. Here’s a quick run down of each event, the fundraising totals, and some photos.

CrossFit Newport Beach had 89 participants, and other donations that totaled $5,410. With volunteers and other support, there were approximately 150 people. 3 survivors were presented with survivor necklaces that Fashletics made specially for B4B, and donated for our tour. Two of which were diagnosed younger than 40, and are sisters. Tears flowed throughout the whole crowd during the presentation. Thank you Mel and Carl!!

At CrossFit 714 (Official Pink Bra Tour stop number 1), there were 36 pre-registered athletes and approximately 20 athletes who signed up at the event. With additional donations, the grand total raised was $3,845. There was approximately 100 people present. Susan G Komen of Orange County came to accept the grant for $10,000 and were absolutely amazed with the CrossFit community and the support, as they had never been to a CrossFit event before. This is the second $10,000 grant we have given their organization in 6 months.

We had 2 survivors that were presented with the necklaces. One was diagnosed at age 29. After her mastectomy, she was told she could never play sports again, but through CrossFit, she bounced back and has continued to be an amazing athlete: she showed up on crutches from an injury sustained playing volleyball…awesome, huh?… (not that she is injured, but that she can continue to be an athlete) Tears again. Thank you Marc, Aaron, Jen, and Ryan!!!

We rallied on pure adrenaline and dedication for Pink Bra Tour stop number 2 at Canyon CrossFit for our second event of the day. This event was a tad smaller than the others, but just as successful and heart-warming. They had 26 pre-registered athletes, and 12 athletes that signed up on-site. Their fundraising total for the weekend was $1,800.

Susan G Komen of the Inland Empire was unable to make an appearance, but were given the grant for $10,000 in honor of the efforts made by Canyon and all other participating affiliates in the Inland Empire. This grant disbursement ensures that women and men under 40 from the San Diego County border all the way to the Arizona border are covered.

Bri’s grandmother, a survivor, came to the event, and we were able to have Bri present her with one of the survivor necklaces. It literally made all of us cry. It was a truly special moment. Thank you Andrew, Rick, and Ray!!!!

Sunday was our fourth and final event of the weekend. We headed to Pink Bra Tour stop number 3 at CrossFit South Bay, and they did not disappoint. This event was an absolute blast.

There were 50 athletes that participated. Their fundraising total was $2,680. In honor of those who participated in South Bay’s event, and all other participating affiliates in Los Angeles County, we presented Watts Health Care with the $10,000 grant. Zionna’s sister-in-law established the relationship between MIA and Watts, and was able to accept the presentation on their behalf. She is an advocate in Los Angeles for equality for health care to all.

Cody Rice is a trainer at South Bay, and also a CrossFit For Boobs athlete. Last year, Z saw some crazy kid doing one-armed Grace, and was like, “What the heck is this guy doing?” Turns out, his mom is a survivor, and Cody had injured his hand shortly before Amazing Grace, but refused to let that stop him from participating in honor of his mother. Unfortunately, she couldn’t be present for the event over the weekend, so we presented him with a survivor necklace to give to his mom.

In addition, we showed up, and Forrest, the owner, informed us that one of his member’s wives was a survivor, so we talked to her, listened to her inspiring story, and presented her with a necklace. At this point, there may be no need to say it again, but everyone was touched during this presentation, and everyone shed some tears. While we were there, 2 more clients approached us, and told us stories of their mothers being survivors as well. Thank you Forrest and Cody!!!

In addition to the support in the community, Bri was absolutely AMAZING. We adore her. She participated, helped with anything and everything from the DJ booth, to the B4B tent selling shirts. She participated in Grace at 2 events: at 714, she had the fastest rx’ed time of the day, and gave her prizes to one of the survivors. At South Bay, she went head to head with about 20 other people during Beer Grace. We literally can’t express our gratitude for her this weekend.

Becca, Kris, and Katie were also an absolute pleasure. They led group warm-ups, judged athletes, coached them, gave inspiring assistance to those struggling, and at least one of them participated as athletes at every event. Kris participated at all events on Saturday and Sunday. Becca did Grace on Saturday at Canyon, and men’s weight Grace at South Bay on Sunday. Katie also participated in Grace at South Bay. We could not be happier with their help and presence. They really set the bar, and everyone LOVED having them.

Their new Grace stats:

Kris Klever:
- At 714 – We cannot remember her time for Beer Grace but it was faster than most women’s Grace times without the beer!!!!
- At Canyon – Beer Grace – 10 Clean & Jerks, chug 1 beer: 3:32
- At South Bay – Men’s Weight Grace: 4:14.

Becca Voigt:
- At Canyon – Grace 1:54 PR
- At South Bay – Men’s Weight Grace: 4:55 PR. (During which, she broke her nose and still PR’ed!!!)

Katie Hogan:
- At South Bay – Grace: 1:42 PR

Stay tuned for more event wrap-ups! This weekend we have 4 events as well, and Monday we hit the road for NorCal. We are going to CrossFit South County in Laguna Hills, CA on Friday night.

Saturday morning, our team is competing in a lift-off benefiting Mammograms In Action at ChikaraSport in Whittier, CA. We will rally once again for Amazing Grace Pink Bra Tour stop number 4 at CrossFit Anaerobic in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA.

Finally, we will be at Pink Bra Tour stop number 5 hosted by CrossFit San Elijo at the Forum Plaza at Cal State University San Marcos. Bryant Mitchell, Reebok HQ will be present along with….wait for it….ANNIE SAKAMOTO!!!!!! WOOHOOOO!!!!!

Thank you to our sponsors for the Pink Bra Tour:
Reebok
Mix 1
Fashletics
Strength Wraps by Kelley Urbani
Swiftwick

95 East 2200 South

Map and Directions | Register

Description:

WOD

CrossFit “Grace” WOD, 30 Clean and Jerks for time.

DETAILS

There will be a $35 registration fee to participate in your local Amazing “Grace” event. Participants will receive a shirt, while supplies last. We have a limited amount of event shirts that were donated by Reebok, so first come, first serve. Please register on your hosting affiliates page!

WHY

A fundraising benefit supporting Mammograms in Action.

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