Rowing vs. Cancer
Spray Foam Magazine – Fall Issue 2019 – According to the American Cancer Society, cancer is the second leading cause of death in children ages 1–14. Childhood cancer rates have slowly been rising over the past few decades and the survival rate varies depending on the type of cancer.
Row4Kids is the brainchild of NFL star Charles Tillman and innovation executive Jacob Beckley. They came together against childhood cancer on September 1st and 2nd by rowing 65 miles non-stop across Lake Michigan to raise money for research.
After encountering each other at a number of events and realizing they have a common goal, Tillman and Beckley decided to team up to accomplish their mission. According to the Row4Kids website, “A sense of urgency to make a difference and a willingness to join forces has created more than a common purpose or common ground; it’s created a friendship.”
Anthony Stonis, President of Building Energy Experts, first heard about the Row4Kids project online and offered his company’s services and products to Tillman’s foundation. “Since I had never sprayed a boat before, I met with Jacob and Charles to agree on the best way to do it. The following week, we showed up to Jacob’s garage and coated the boat. Everything went as planned except for the amount of foam we applied.” As the project went along, Anthony noticed the boat was becoming too top heavy, so the original amount agreed to apply was cut short.
Beckley began shaving and shaping the foam with a multi-tool, but soon realized that would take too long to get the job done. Stonis recommended using a grinder with a wire wheel, which ended up being more effective in shaping the foam as needed for the boat. He explains, “The foam ended up stiffening the boat up and a few modifications had to be made afterwards.”
Jacob Beckley (left) and Charles Tillman (right) took their two foundations towards one common goal. Tillman’s Cornerstone Foundations (www.charlestillman.org) focuses on the devastating effects childhood illness wreaks on families while the Beckley Foundation (www.beckleyfoundation.org) supports investigation and research into finding cures, specifically for neuroblastoma.
Photo courtesy of www.row4kids.comTwo pounds of closed-cell foam was used for this project, which was applied using the SPI low-pressure system.. The bottom of the boat was coated with SPI ENVELO-SEAL. “We are glad to be a part of this ENVELO-SEAL™ adventure,” Stonis exclaims.
According to the Row4Kids team, “The end goal is to support families and children affected by childhood cancer by providing awareness, funding for research, and mobilizing boots on the ground family support.”
To make a donation or find out more information, visit www.row4kids.com.
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