York Hospital is pleased to announce that it recently received a $7,500 donation from the Big Andrew Foundation in support of Living Well with Cancer Fund programs. This generous contribution is the end result of fundraising that happened in conjunction with the 12th annual Big Andrew Surf Competition and Car Classic in September, 2019. Every year since 2008, dedicated surfers have gathered at York’s Long Sands Beach in late summer for the annual Big Andrew Surf Competition to raise money for York Hospital’s Living Well With Cancer Fund. The fundraiser was created as a way to honor the memory of Andrew Gmelch, who, in 2007 lost his battle with leukemia at the age of 15. Friends and fellow surfers Ryan and Ian Knowles organized the competition to raise funds for oncology and infusion care patients. Ryan and Ian, along with many of their friends and family members, work tirelessly to make each year’s Big Andrew events a huge success. In fact, this year there were over 20 participants in the age 12 and under category!
Over the years, the brothers and their friends have grown the Big Andrew Foundation into the bi-coastal organization that it is now, with Atlantic and Pacific chapters. Of the event and the Big Andrew Foundation, York Hospital’s Oncology Social Worker Susan Kelly-Westman, LMSW says: “I have been blessed to work with Ian, Justin and Ryan Knowles and so many others from the Big Andrew Foundation over the years and am always touched by their hard work and dedication in keeping the memory of their friend, Andrew Gmelch, alive through their annual fundraisers, The Big Andrew Car Classic and the Surf Competition. They have worked diligently to make these events more successful year after year and have created a community of like minded people who truly want to make the cancer journey a little easier for others. One hundred percent of their donation to York Hospital’s Living Well with Cancer Fund goes directly to help patients at York Hospital who are being treated for cancer. The money helps to put groceries on the table, pay a utility bill, rent or even offer massage or acupuncture to patients who are struggling with symptoms from their disease. I am so grateful we have this group of young adults who continually give back to their community and realize the benefit of easing the burden for someone else.”
Kudos to the Big Andrew Foundation and to everyone who participated in this fantastically fun and incredibly important event in 2019. Click here to learn more about Andrew Gmelch’s story and the Big Andrew Foundation.