I want to thank Alan Iftiniuk of French Hospital for his letter praising the Surfing for Hope benefit. I could not be more proud about the results of this event. So many people came together to make my idea a reality, and I’m stoked.

Dr. Tom Spillane, Karen Allen, Bev Kirkhart, Brian Metcalf and so many more worked very hard, and I thank them from the bottom of my heart. Our sponsors were awesome, as well as The Tribune and all the media, who were so generous with their coverage.

Partnering the medical world with the surfing community worked beyond my expectations. The benefit gave surfers a vehicle to show how we can surf for a cause and give back to people in need.

I know how challenging it is to go through the awful experience of fighting cancer, and how lucky I am to be a survivor. The Hearst Cancer Resource Center is an oasis for people going through this struggle, and I’m proud to help support them. Their services are free to our community.

I look forward to making the second Surfing for Hope Benefit, in the fall of 2013, even more successful and helpful to all those who struggle with cancer.