The Breast Cancer Research Foundation Hosting Duo Of Hamptons Benefits

The highly anticipated seventh annual Hamptons Paddle & Party for Pink, a two part benefit for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), returns on Saturday, August 4.

The fundraiser will begin at 8 a.m. with a WPA sanctioned Paddle Board Race, which attracts over 200 racers – last year Laird Hamilton, Gabrielle Reece, Jimmy Buffett, Katie Lee, Jill Martin, and Stacey Griffith participated – at Havens Beach in Sag Harbor. Later on, the Sunset Party – a gathering that draws over 600 guests yearly – will commence at 7 p.m. Last year’s soiree brought out Ryan Seacrest, Tracy Anderson, Candace Bushnell, Nicole Miller, Olivia Palermo and Johannes Huebl, Lisa and Richard Perry, Eric and Sandra Ripert, and Kendra Scott.

Maria and Larry Baum, Lisa Pevaroff-Cohn and Gary Cohn, and Jackie and Bippy Siegal will serve as Hamptons Paddle & Party for Pink co-chairs.

“It’s just overwhelming on so many levels,” Maria Baum, a breast cancer survivor herself, shared about the community’s support. “First, it takes me back to the time I was in treatment and connecting with the natural beauty of the Hamptons and Sag Harbor’s incredible bays at sunrise that gave me intense strength and a strong desire to do something meaningful with my life. Knowing that we have now contributed close to $10 million toward life-saving research that will benefit so many is profound.”

For the first time ever, the nighttime festivities will be held at a new seaside locale. “We are excited to have moved the nighttime party to Haven’s Beach in Sag Harbor where the race takes place that morning,” she noted. “Colin Cowie and his team have the most incredible event planned- the whole vibe will be more bohemian (in line with our main sponsor, Lilly Pulitzer) – like the ultimate chic beach party!”

“My dear and generous friends Lisa Pevaroff and Gary Cohn are the evening’s underwriters, along with our incredible partners Lilly Pulitzer, De Grisogono, Kendra Scott, Karma and Net Jets. I am so grateful to everyone who participates and donates,” Baum added.

Even though the event starts with what technically is a race, Baum notes the comradery is extraordinary. “For the morning race, we have added activities on the beach for everyone’s cheering squads there to support friends and family who are racing. We’ve also added a shorter and fun ‘kid’s paddle’ that Paddle Diva has organized,” Baum said.

BCRF is the world’s largest private funder of breast cancer research and Hamptons Paddle & Party for Pink has raised millions in support of the organization’s mission of preventing and finding a cure for breast cancer by improving the world’s most promising breast cancer research.

“When Lisa and Richard Perry and I first dreamed up this event seven years ago, we were determined to find an organization that would use the funds in the best way,” Baum reflected about the start of Hamptons Paddle & Party for Pink. “I did my homework and learned of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation founded by Evelyn Lauder in 1993. They are the highest rated breast cancer charity in the U.S. – the only with a mission entirely focused on research and we wanted these funds to go toward finding a cure, so the choice was clear.”

For those unable to attend, there’s also the option to be a Virtual Paddler here: hamptonspaddleforpink.org

“We are so proud of what the BCRF has and will accomplish,” Baum added. “I am proud to now be a board member myself, alongside my friend and fellow event sponsor Kinga Lampert, who is co-chair of BCRF with William Lauder.”

Registration for the Paddle Board Race is $150. Admission to Party for Pink starts at $1,500.

For more information, visit hamptonspaddleforpink.org.