Local Women Paddle as Witches for Breast Cancer Awareness

(EASTON, Md) – Hundreds of people have come out to Easton to take part in the first ever Witch Paddle. A fundraiser combining the fun of Halloween and fundraising for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Chelsey Townsend has been battling with breast cancer since late 2023, and shared her story Wednesday night as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

“Continuing to raise those funds to have that support is everything. It’s there’s so many different, you know, struggles throughout breast cancer journeys,” says Chelsey.

Stories like Chelsey’s are why local women partnered with the Clark Comprehensive Breast Cancer in Talbot County to host the first ever Witch paddle, with the goal of raising money for the Clark Center and other breast cancer support groups.

Alexis Baynard with the Clark Comprehensive Center says, “A lot of our patients come from underserved communities where they don’t have health insurance or they have insurances that don’t cover their care with us, that doesn’t cover the imaging that really allows us to truly care and diagnose our patients.”

Regardless that this is the first-time this event has taken place, it’s been a runaway success as organizers put this event on in only a matter of weeks.

“It is incredible. And we only started like about six weeks ago. So we are so grateful to the community for coming out and supporting us in this effort,” says organizer, Julie Sussman.

And as well as raising money, they’re providing hope to those battling breast cancer.

Chelsey tells us, “I think it’s amazing tonight there was a lot of survivors here that really need continued support.”

The Witch Paddle raised just under $30,000.