Pledge the Pink Flocks to Dataw Island

Dataw Island to Host “Pledge the Pink” Cancer walk
Media Contacts:
Laura McCarthy [email protected] (843)379-3056 / (912)224-7611 (cell)
Laura Morgan [email protected] (843)540-3064

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 10/21/19


Beaufort, SC -- Dataw Island is honored to be chosen as a host site for the ninth annual “Pledge the Pink” walk to fight breast cancer. On Saturday, October 26, 1500 attendees from all 50 states and 23 countries will walk a 10-mile course on Dataw Island as part of the 3-day, 3-island, 30-mile fundraiser.

“We are so excited to be walking on Dataw Island this year,” said Pledge the Pink Director Laura Morgan. “They have really ‘rolled out the pink carpet’ for us and have embraced the event more than any other community.”

To cheer on the attendees, teems of Dataw Island members will line the streets at various "'pit stops" and cheering stations, each with its own theme that vary from the expected to the extravagant. Volunteer Coordinator Marj Shymske didn't want to reveal any of the volunteers member groups' surprises, but she did mention hundreds of yards of tulle, a headdress and perhaps even some undergarments...

"The planning, preparation, energy and creativity is off the charts,” Shymske said. "It's really fun see the what’s possible when people pull together. I have no doubt the day spent on Dataw Island will be the highlight of the weekend for the Pledge the Pink participants as we cheer them on with ‘southern’ charm and hospitality."

Morgan said she is grateful for the efforts of the volunteers, host sites, and participants. “Never in my wildest dreams did I think we would ever have registrants coming from around the world, much less be closing in on raising $375,000. It takes 15 months to plan this event…yes, we started 2021 several months ago. Each year brings new challenges and new opportunities. That’s what lead us to Dataw Island, and we couldn’t be more excited about it!”

The funds raised by the sold-out three-day event tallied $367,000 at the time of this release, with the goal and expectation of hitting $375,000 by the end of October. The money is allocated through a grant process with input from participants. And, the group is also expected to make a significant local economic impact.

“This year we have 1392 of our registrants coming from outside the 100 mile radius, which officially designates them as tourists. And they are bringing an additional 2200 friends, family members, and supporters with them, staying at least four nights. That’s a huge impact, especially north of the Broad,” said Morgan.

Dataw Island volunteers and staff have been planning for months and look forward to welcoming the Pledge the Pink participants.


About Pledge the Pink
Pledge The Pink began is a 3-day, 30-mile fundraising walk based in the South Carolina Lowcountry. Created in 2011 by Laura Morgan, Pledge the Pink Foundation uses the event proceeds and donations to provide funding for breast cancer screening, treatment, and research. Beneficiaries include the Hollings Cancer Center at MUSC, Beaufort Jasper Hampton Comprehensive Health Services, Volunteers in Medicine Hilton Head, Volunteers in Medicine Bluffton, Beaufort Memorial Hospital, Mayo Clinic, American Cancer Society, and the National Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

About Dataw Island
Dataw Island is a gated golf, tennis and boating lifestyle community located fifteen minutes outside of historic downtown Beaufort. The island features two recently-renovated golf courses by designers Tom Fazio and Arthur Hills, a tennis center, a community center with workout and massage facilities, three restaurants, world class croquet lawns, bocce, kayaking, a full-service marina, and more. The community has also been ranked the number one best retirement destination in South Carolina by Best Retirement Destinations and is the recipient of the 2017 Bliss Award for “Happiest South Carolina Community” as well as the “2018 Club of the Year” (South Carolina Golf Association) and was named by USTA as an “Outstanding Tennis Facility.”
www.dataw.com