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Dean
Randazzo is the most storied surfer to ever ply New Jersey waters, turning pro
in 1990 and qualifying for the ASP World Tour in 1996. In between, he’s won the
homestate Smith Optics Garden State Grudge Match twice — his first
victory coming after being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2001. Dean has
fought four winning battles with the cancer since then, and most recently
received a lifesaving stem cell donation from his brother Joe. In the process,
the Randazzo family established the Dean Randazzo Cancer Foundation, which
raises money for cancer research and awareness and assists individuals battling
cancer both financially and emotionally. To date, the DRCF has donated over
$100,000 to worthy causes and beneficiaries.
The
next opportunity you have to support Dean’s cause and donate to the DRCF comes
on March 6th, when the 3rd Annual Freeze For A Cause surf contest hits
Casino Pier in Seaside Heights, NJ. This year’s Freeze will feature three
divisions: Open Shortboard, Open Longboard, and Open Women’s, with a $20 entry
fee/donation required to reserve your spot. Entries are limited, so e-mail
Contest Director Nick Bricker at themush@comcast.net or visit www.deanrandazzocancerfoundation.org today so you
don’t get left out in the cold. Here’s what Bricker had to say:
“When Dean got sick again three years ago and
was going to have a hard time getting through it financially I decided I was
going to do something about it. I came up with the idea of doing a winter event
to raise cash. I did it outside of the DRCF so that Dean could receive the
money directly. That first event raised over $20,000 and was a huge success
with donations pouring in from all over the industry. Kelly Slater even sent a
black jersey identical to the one he wore at Snapper Rocks, signed by him and
Mick Fanning, as well as a quad he rode on his way to victory! So after that we
decided that we should add this to our list of DRCF events going forward. This
will be the third year, with last year's contest called off due to flatness. But
the party raged on and we still pulled in $10,000! This year we hope to keep
the drive going like it has been in the past.”
After
the gloves, booties, and hoods come off, the Hammer family will host a Freeze
For A Cause afterparty at The Crab’s Claw in Lavallette starting at 6:00 p.m.,
with a $10 donation at the door earning you killer drink specials, great raffle
and auction prizes, and an epic night of camaraderie. A $20 afterparty donation
will also get you an official DRCF Freeze For A Cause T-shirt. Most
importantly, you’ll be giving back to the Godfather of New Jersey surfing, who
paved the course for the Hammers, Gleasons, and Kellys that followed
in his massive footsteps. So mark your calendars for March 6th and go freeze
your ass off for Dean and cancer research!
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