STRATFORD BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU ORGANIZATION HONORED FOR CHARITABLE WORK

BY LEUKEMIA AND LYMPHOMA SOCIETY (LLS)

Nonprofit donated more than $85,000 in 2012 and 2013 to the CT and MA chapters of LLS

STRATFORD, CT – Tap Cancer Out (TCO), a 501c3 nonprofit organization raising awareness and funds for cancer fighting organizations on behalf of the Brazilian jiu-jitsu community, was honored today with The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Chairman’s Citation, recognizing "the outstanding accomplishments of individuals who have demonstrated significant dedication and commitment to their chapter and are deserving of national recognition." 

“I absolutely could not have done it without the support of the Tap Cancer Out community,” said founder Jon Thomas, whose personal experiences with losing loved ones to cancer inspired the formation of the nonprofit in 2011.  “Our fundraisers, tournament competitors, donors and volunteers are the ones who are making the real difference.”

“Tap Cancer Out is an inspiration, as well as a model for how to make a difference in the lives of those with cancer,” said Dennis Chillemi, Executive Director of the Connecticut Westchester Hudson Valley chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. “Thanks to the generosity and hard work of the Tap Cancer Out team, participants and supporters, we are able to travel that much further on the road to end cancer – not someday, but today.”

Tap Cancer Out founder Jon Thomas has spent the last six years of his life training in the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). While the sport is commonly misunderstood as something similar to cage-fighting, it is actually quite the contrary.  BJJ is both martial art and sport – a method for promoting both physical fitness and high moral character. Tap Cancer Out believes that the BJJ community can come together to help raise money and awareness in support of the organizations, hospitals, doctors, researchers and volunteers who won’t quit their fight until they’ve forced cancer to “tap out” – a phrase used in BJJ in which the opponent resigns in defeat. 

Tap Cancer Out has already made great strides in 2014. After announcing the St. Baldrick’s Foundation for pediatric cancer research as their newest beneficiary organization, the nonprofit raised more than $54,000 at their spring tournament in Stratford, CT. Their Summer BJJ Open tournament is scheduled for August 16th in Danvers, MA.

“Even though we’ve demonstrated in the last three years that the BJJ community can fight together to end cancer, this is only the beginning,” said Thomas. “As the sport of BJJ continues to grow, we’ll grow with it, and ultimately tap cancer out.”