JACKSON, WY — No clothes will be removed during a two-day fundraising fiesta for St. John’s Hospital Foundation’s Women’s Health Care Fund, though some layers may come off as the day warms up.
Stripping is a fly fishing term, for those that don’t know, and Stripping for a Cure is a fly fishing, fundraising extravaganza. It starts tomorrow with a ’50s-themed “Rock n’ Roll Fundraiser” party at founder Susie McDowell’s house and continues through the day Thursday with a full day of guided fishing on the Snake.
The anglers will be easy to spot — they’ll be the ones in pink, casting pink flies.
Stripping for a Cure is an event created by women, for women. It was founded by Susie McDowell and Kay Jones, two of the top female anglers in the world. McDowell is also a breast cancer survivor. And there are few things more powerful than a group of women rallying behind a common cause and doing something they love.
“We have two common bonds: a love of fly fishing, and a love of women helping women,” said long-time participant and volunteer Clairey Grubbs. “It’s just really exciting to all get out there and know we’re fishing with purpose.”
The sobering truth is that practically everyone, in Grubbs’ experience, knows someone who has been affected by cancer. This year is especially personal for Grubbs — one of her best friends lost her mom to breast cancer this year, and two other women close to her are battling cancer. In their honor, Grubbs has created a custom patch with their names, and a pink hat that says “fly high” for her friend’s mom. And she won’t be the only one fishing on someone else’s behalf.
“I think it’s just really important that we honor those women that we’ve lost and those that are still fighting,” she said. “And help lift up the women who are still fighting.”
The experience of women coming together for any activity is powerful, but Grubbs said there’s something especially magical about fly fishing.
“Fly fishing is a grand metaphor for life,” Grubbs said. “Almost everything I’ve learned in fly fishing over the years, and continue to learn, I can directly apply to my life in one way or another.” Fly fishing teaches patience, acceptance, serenity. Few other sports require the participant to be so in tune with their surroundings and become “one with the moment.”
More than 50 women of all ages are registered to strip (the part in the cast where you pull in the fishing line) for a cure Thursday. Many of them are experienced anglers, but there are also plenty of novice and recreational anglers in the mix. The day is for everyone. It is a tournament of sorts, but it’s designed so that anglers from all walks of life can score. There are points for the biggest fish, but there are also points for the smallest fish and for getting “skunked.” There are points for catching a fish on a pink fly and points for osprey sightings. Basically, the more fun you have, the higher you’re likely to score.
Registration for fishing this year is closed, but everyone is invited to the Rock n’ Roll Fundraiser tomorrow night. Tickets are $100 and include as much free wine as you can drink (so maybe we can’t promise no clothes will come off), food, dancing, a hula-hoop contest, balloon toss, and live and silent auction. The party is ’50s themed, so dress appropriately.
For those who can’t make the party but want to support the cause, Stripping for the Cure is registered 501(c)(3) and accepts donations throughout the year. They’re also an official Old Bill’s recipient this year. All of the proceeds will be donated to St. John’s Foundation’s Women’s Health Care Fund, which provides support to women who need preventative health services but can’t afford them, need support for travel to medical treatments, or are in treatment and need financial support for things like childcare, groceries, and medicine.
“The cost of medical care is so expensive these days,” Grubbs said. “Knowing I played a small role in helping somebody go through one of the most horrific times in their life… it’s a bittersweet feeling.”
