S/V Shaman Racing to Hawaii

I’m Tom Burden, and I am planning to compete in the 2016 Singlehanded Transpac Race, across the Pacific from San Francisco, California, to Hanalei Bay, Hawaii. It’s a solo event, with one sailor, one boat and the sea, over a distance of 2,120 nautical miles. Sponsored by the SF Bay Area’s Singlehanded Sailing Society, this “extreme sailing” event is in its 20th running since 1977.

I am a cancer survivor, and my voyage will raise awareness of cancer and raise funds for two organizations in my local community that help cancer patients. Jacobs Heart is an organization that helps kids with cancer: http://jacobsheart.org. WomanCARE is a group that supports women dealing with cancer: http://fsa-cc.org/womencare/

I am racing to Hawaii for you, my sisters and brothers who have fought valiantly against this terrible disease.
• To bear witness to your struggle.
• To celebrate the victories of those who have overcome this monarch of all maladies.
• To work for health care that’s free and universal for all Americans.
• To inspire those who fight against cancer, that you may never give up, regardless of the ravages of chemo, radiation or surgery.
• To honor and remember those who fought valiantly to the end, but who lost their struggle. To inspire us all to work for a cure.
•  In solidarity with you, and because, so often it seems such a lonely battle when we fight against cancer, I will carry your names with me on my sails. At Shaman’s bow will be the names of my fellow survivors. I salute you as we look forward to health and prosperity together. I celebrate your victory! At Shaman’s stern I will carry the names of those who have been taken away by cancer.