DI charity event hopes to score big for breast cancer survivors

It’s time to get into the swing of it. The “it” is raising money to help those affected by breast cancer. The “swing” is the third annual fundraising event, now known as THE SWING 2023, which will take over the golf course, pickleball courts and tennis courts at the Daniel Island Club on Monday, Oct. 16, to support breast cancer survivors.

 

Co-chairs Bonnie Hancock and Lori Bayer, both breast cancer survivors, created the charity for the sole purpose of serving others. In 2022, the event raised $147,500 for the local breast cancer charity, Share Our Suzy (SOS) Lowcountry, a nonprofit that provides local breast cancer patients with financial assistance. 

 

Bayer said the group started planning as soon as last year’s event ended. “We were delighted by the community response and the generosity at the 2022 event,” she said. “We looked at what we did right, what we could do better and how we could impact even more women’s lives…We began our research and due diligence to

determine how we could do more and perhaps do it better than we have in the past.” 

 

This year’s event has some exciting transformations. “A lot has changed this year; including our name, but our passion, our mission and our purpose remains the same! It revolves around unity, compassion, and the unyielding desire to support breast cancer patients on their journey,” Bayer said. “We aim to ensure that these women

have gas in their tanks, groceries on the table, childcare, no past-due notices on the counter, housing, utilities, and peace of mind.” 

 

Bayer added, “It became evident that to grow, to create an avenue for giving throughout the year, to effectively serve more women, to provide transparency and accountability to our donors, and to open our event to all women throughout the Lowcountry we needed to make a change. And therefore, SWING FOR THE

LOWCOUNTRY was born.

 

THE SWING 2023 expanded to include 300 women at the Lunch Gala, which is held immediately following the morning golf and tennis activities. The gala includes lunch, drinks, custom raffle baskets, and both a silent and live auction.

 

Once again the charity is partnering with SOS Lowcountry, as well as other medical providers throughout the area. All proceeds go directly to support breast cancer patients with financial burdens. This year the goal is to raise $200,000. Bayer said community involvement is at the core of the event’s success. “Daniel Island is where we live, and this is where it all began. Our roots are here, and our support is here. This community saw us through our challenges and has joined together with us to make a difference. Our mission is clear – to create a community driven movement that rallies together for a cause larger than ourselves.”

 

Registration opens on Monday, Sept. 25, (bit.ly/theswing) but be sure to get your tickets early to this event before they sell out. If you’d like to find out more or make an online donation check out their Facebook and Instagram pages or email info@theswing.org.