A big crowd turns out for the ‘StandUp for the Cure’ breast cancer awareness event on Muskegon Lake [VIDEO]

By Jason Goorman
LocalSportsJournal.com

“STANDUP for the Cure,” a standup paddleboard recreational event designed to raise money for the fight against breast cancer, hit the shores of Muskegon Lake at Harbor Towne Beach on Saturday.

Roughly 600 people participated. More than $13,000 has been raised thus far to support the Susan G. Komen Foundation, and that total is expected to increase.

Jennifer Jurgens is the Executive Director of Susan G. Komen Michigan. Photo/Jason Goorman

“It’s interesting because (Stand Up for the Cure) is a national event and they chose Muskegon,” said Jennifer Jurgens, the executive director of Susan G. Komen of Michigan. “We have blown people away as they come and set this up. What a beautiful place we live in.”

Jurgens has used her own fight against breast cancer as an inspiration to help raise awareness for the cause.

“Five years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer and I found it very, very early,” the Spring Lake resident said. “But my mother died from it. It was about two years after I was free from it that I quit my job and a recruiter found me for this position, and I have not looked back.”

Local resident Crystal VanDusen helped raise $350 for the cause and is a first time paddleboarder.

“It was a three person team of myself, my mom Ola and my sister Kate,” said VanDusen, who’s mom keyed her into the event. “Today was my first day and to be honest, I thought it was kayaking. The other day I found out it was paddle boarding and said, oh well, there’s something new. I hadn’t done it before and I jumped right on, it was easy and a really good time.”

Check out the video and photos from Saturday’s event!