About Us

Skate for Hope is an annual figure skating show held each summer at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Skate for Hope is the most unique and beautiful breast cancer fund-raising event in the United States. SFH has raised over $233,000 to help find a cure, while uniting generations of women.

Skate for Hope utilizes figure skating, a sport that epitomizes women’s strength, to bring attention, resources and education to fight against breast cancer. Each year, over 100 figure skaters from the Central Ohio area come together to celebrate life, cancer survivors and the hope of a future free from breast cancer. In addition to these local skaters, Olympic, World and National Champions join the cast to present a spectacular show, honoring those that have been touched by this disease.

The next Skate for Hope show will take place on Saturday June 19, 2010 at 5:00 pm at the Nationwide Arena in Downtown Columbus, Ohio!

Skate for Hope is a not for profit 501c3 charitable organization that donates its proceeds to the Stefanie Spielman Fund at the James Cancer Center and Solove Research Institute and to the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer Research.

Skate for Hope was founded by adult figure skater and breast cancer survivor Carolyn Bongirno in 2004. At 33 years old, Bongirno battled and over came a stage three breast cancer diagnosis. She credits figure skating and her skating friends in helping her stay positive throughout her treatment process. Bongirno created SFH to help empower young girls and women to better cope with a friend or family member cancer diagnosis and to teach the importance of giving back to one’s community.

Mission of Skate for Hope

• Raise breast cancer education & awareness for young women and girls
• Empower young women and girls to better cope with a friend or family member diagnosis
• Honor breast cancer survivors in the community
• Raise funding for clinical breast cancer research

It is the intention of Skate for Hope to utilize figure skating, a sport that epitomizes women’s strength, to help bring attention, resources, and education to the fight against breast cancer.

Skate for Hope extends its sincerest thanks to photographers Leah Adams, Jay Adeff, Liz Chastney, Mark L'Hommedieu, Barry Mittan and Michelle Wojdyla for providing images for SFH's website.