Rowing Cares History

Where it all began...

Rowing Cares, with the support of USRowing, is the rowing and water-sports community's crusade against cancer, raising over $3.7 million to benefit local communities. 

The inspiration of Portland, Oregon rower Kathy Frederick, the initial Rowing Cares/Row for the Cure® event took place in 1993 on Portland's Willamette River as a way for the rowing community to support runners and walkers participating in the Rose City's Race for the Cure®. That first regatta raised a modest $1,500. In 2011, Row for the Cure incorporated as Rowing Cares and officially became a national 501(c) (3) nonprofit. 

Today, with multiple events in the United States and looking towards expansion into Europe, Rowing Cares has blossomed into a popular series of events that includes athletes of all ages, rowing on the water and on ergs, coming together to support their community cancer organizations.