CRESTVIEW — With area residents’ help, CrossFit’s Crestview location has netted $2,200 for mammograms following Saturday’s "Barbells for Boobs” fundraiser.
That amount will pay for 26 breast check-ups for men and women who otherwise couldn’t afford one, event organizer Chloe Collinsworth announced on Facebook.
See the 'Barbells for Boobs' photo gallery>>
Standing room was hard to find at the Shoffner Boulevard facility. Attendees had to make room for participants in “Helen meets Grace,” a combination exercise including pull-ups, kettle bell swings, clean and jerks and a 400-meter run near the facility.
Several participants paid tribute to friends and family members who have dealt with breast cancer.
Cassandra Hicks — who honored her mother and breast cancer survivor, Diann Howe, along with co-worker and breast cancer survivor Debora Belanger — said she appreciated the turnout.
"As a part of the CrossFit community, this (was) such a good event … for us to come together,” she said.
Belanger — cancer-free for seven years — attended to support Hicks and her daughter, Samantha Childs.
"I think this is awesome," she said. "It is causes like this that make a difference."
In addition to donations, participants showed support by wearing pink attire or sporting pink hair.
Instructor David Patterson wore his wife's training bra.
"For these events I like to go all out," he said.
Although raising money is beneficial, raising awareness is also important, he said.
"It's not all about the money; it's about making a difference in the community," he said.
Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown at 850-682-6524 or matthewb@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbMatthew.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: ‘Barbells for Boobs’ raises $2,200 for mammograms (PHOTOS)