About the Event
Saturday, 15 June 2024 marks the date for the Maryland Cures Cancer Regatta, a CBYRA-sanctioned event held by Eastport Yacht Club (EYC), Annapolis Yacht Club, Herrington Harbour Sailing Association, Maryland Yacht Club, and Rock Creek Racing Association. Racing sailors can expect top race management on the racecourse and a Rock the Dock for a Cure Party at EYC. Race registration here.
The regatta will benefit the University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center (UMGCCC), demonstrating the sailing community’s strong support for cancer research by our local institution, where Gary Jobson and many other Marylanders have been successfully treated.
UMGCCC is one of only 73 cancer centers in the country designated as “comprehensive” by the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health. The center offers innovative approaches to diagnosing and treating all types of cancer, conducts cutting-edge research with over 480 open clinical trials, and provides cancer screening and patient education services throughout Maryland. UMGCCC sees over 3,000 new patients a year and offers a multi-disciplinary approach to care, bringing together specialists from all cancer disciplines, in one place, to develop individualized treatment plans for patients. Top-rated nursing staff of UMGCCC are specially trained in cancer care and are consistently rated as outstanding in-patient satisfaction surveys.
UMGCCC is a leader in addressing cancer disparities, with research focused on improving access to care and treatment outcomes for minorities, who represent 53% of the patients in our clinical trials (compared to 16% nationally). The center is a national leader in developing immunotherapy approaches that train a patient’s own immune system to fight cancer. And over the years, new drugs and devices have been invented at UMGCCC that have advanced breast cancer care around the world.
The University of Maryland Medical Center is in the final stages of a capital campaign to construct the Roslyn and Leonard Stoler Center for Advanced Medicine, the new home of UMGCCC. This new space will allow UMGCCC to further advance clinical care, patient support services, research, training, and education programs. The new building will open in late-2026 and house six floors dedicated to cancer care.
The Maryland Cures Cancer Regatta is the first race of the Triple Crown of Charity Sailing Trophy, which will be awarded in October 2024. This prestigious trophy also includes CRAB Cup and Hospice Cup and is awarded at the end of the sailing season, with the final standings determined by a combination of racing results and fundraising accumulated across all events.
Fundraising
Net proceeds from the overall event (entry fees and the post-race Rock the Dock party) will be donated to UMGCCC. Additionally, sailors are encouraged to establish fundraising teams and compete in the Off-the-Water Fundraising campaign. Anyone interested can form a new team or join an existing team. Joining is fast and easy, and you can take the next step in helping not just fight, but cure cancer.
Honorary Racing Class Designations
In recognition of their tremendous support over many years, the Organizing Authority unanimously chose to recognize two local sailors by naming racing classes in their honor. The classes are intended for entries unable to compete in a class that otherwise requires a valid rating certificate. These classes allow the skipper and crew to fully support the event—and enjoy some time racing on the Bay.
The Jobson Spinnaker Class
Gary Jobson is a name familiar to anyone with even a remote interest in sailing and sailboat racing. Gary was on the committee for the very first Leukemia Cup held in Annapolis in 1993. At a meeting with the Leukemia Society in October of that year, he suggested to the leadership that regattas could be held across the country. The group agreed and asked him to be the Honorary Chair. In 1994 there were 8 Leukemia Cups held across the USA, with a total of $200,000 raised. Within three years the Leukemia Cup Regatta Series expanded to 45 events. A total of $66 million was raised between 1993 and 2020. While Gary stepped down as the Leukemia Cup Chair in 2017, when local organizers contacted him in late 2021 about supporting a successor event, he jumped in without hesitation and has been a leading advocate of the Maryland Cures Cancer Regatta.
The Heintz Non-Spinnaker Class
John Heintz began participating in Leukemia Cup (the predecessor event to the Maryland Cures Cancer Regatta) almost 15 years ago, when the Annapolis Harbor 20 fleet decided to actively support charity regattas. John, his mother, and two brothers all were diagnosed with some form of leukemia, the result, as was discovered during his treatment in 2015, of a mutant gene they all shared. Reflecting on the importance of ongoing research, John was given a half-match bone marrow transplant from his son and has since made a full recovery. He subsequently channeled his recovery into positive action via the sailing community and has been the recipient of the Weems & Plath Triple Crown of Charity Sailing trophy in 2018 and 2023. The award is presented to the top overall performer on and off the racecourse in the Leukemia Cup/Maryland Leukemia Cup/Maryland Cures Cancer Regatta, CRAB Cup, and Hospice Cup charity regattas. Over the years, he has raised over $200,000 for these worthy local charities.
Parking at Eastport Yacht Club
Parking in the EYC lot is restricted to EYC members who display a valid parking sticker; violators will be towed at the owner’s expense. Guest parking is available across the street in the Yacht Haven lot after 1700 on Friday, on a first-come basis. Additional parking is available on the surrounding streets.
Post-Race Party
A post-race “Rock the Dock” party will be held at EYC following the conclusion of racing and is open to all—both competitors and the general public. A pay-as-you-go grill and cash bar will be available on the waterside lawn. We invite you to come share in the festive camaraderie after a competitive and charitable day on the water. Awards will be presented as soon as all jury actions are closed and results are final. Live entertainment will be provided.
Dockage at Eastport Yacht Club
Out-of-town boats in search of a transient slip at EYC are encouraged to contact the EYC Waterfront Director as early as possible to make the necessary arrangements (waterfront@eastportyc.org; (410) 267-9549). Available space will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Competitors should not assume space will be available at EYC if they do not first coordinate with the Waterfront Director.
Environment
This is a Clean Regatta. All competitors are encouraged to use multi-use water bottles instead of disposable water bottles, and to recycle whenever possible.
Thank You to Our Event Partners
This event would not be possible without the support of all participating clubs. While EYC serves as the Organizing Authority, the tremendous support received from the following Clubs is essential and greatly appreciated.
Annapolis Yacht Club
Herrington Harbour Sailing Association
Maryland Yacht Club
Rock Creek Racing Association
Additionally, countless volunteers have contributed many hours in support of this event, and we appreciate all that has been done to support this worthy event.
Additional Information
For more information, please contact race.committee@eastportyc.org
Mail a Donation
If you would like to make a donation by check, please make the check payable to UMMS Foundation and mail to:
UMMS Foundation
P.O. Box 64573
Baltimore, MD 21264-4573
To credit a participant and/or team, please make note of the name with "Maryland Cures Cancer Regatta" on the memo line of your check, or include a brief note with your check.
Other Ways to Give
IRA Charitable Rollover: An IRA rollover allows people age 70½ and older to reduce their taxable income by making a gift directly from their IRA.
Appreciate Securities: Donating appreciated securities, including stocks or bonds, is an easy and tax-effective way for you to make a gift.
