On Saturday, August 1, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) raised more than $1.6 million, a record-breaking achievement at its fourth annual Hamptons Paddle & Party for Pink. The two-part summer event was co-hosted by Maria & Larry Baum, Lisa & Richard Perryand Jackie & Bippy Siegal, which involved a WPA-sanctioned morning paddle race in Sag Harbor and a sunset party at Fairview on Mecox Bay in Bridgehampton.

Winners of the morning’s paddle race, including returning competitor and 12-year breast cancer survivor Karen McGlade, accepted their awards from host committee members Lisa Pevaroff-Cohn and Gary Cohn. The beach, teeming with 200 paddlers, set an inspiring stage for Maria Baum as she shared her personal story as the founder of Hamptons Paddle & Party for Pink.

“Paddle boarding is a personal reprieve for me. As a breast cancer survivor, the sport gave me and continues to give me a much-needed outlet. Sharing it with others while raising funds for life-saving research is my personal way of paying it forward,” said Ms. Baum [above], who currently serves as a co-host and BCRF Board Member.

Tracy Anderson

*All photos in this feature courtesy of Michael Blanchard