BREWER — Champion the Cure Challenge, the region’s largest cancer fundraiser, is getting a head start on celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with a special challenge that will have the community thinking bagpipes and shamrocks.

The goal of the St. Patrick’s Day Challenge is simple: register 17 teams in the first 17 days in March. If the goal is achieved by St. Patrick’s Day, every team that registers will be entered into drawings for 17 prizes, including a gift card for Geaghan’s Pub & Brewery, a favorite local St. Patrick’s Day hangout.

“We are proud to participate in Champion the Cure Challenge, because we know that every dollar raised makes a difference in the lives of those affected by cancer,” says Andrew Geaghan, co-owner and head brewer, Geaghan’s Pub & Brewery, which will provide the beer tent at the Challenge cycle event. “We encourage the community to join us in the St. Patrick’s Day Challenge, and after registering, to celebrate our favorite month with us.”

Teams that have already registered for Champion the Cure Challenge are also eligible to win if they add at least one new team member between March 1 and 17.

Champion the Cure Challenge participation options include the walk/run/cycle event in Brewer in August, the paddling event on the Penobscot River in Brewer in September, and the horse trail ride in Corinna, also in September. The Challenge is open to anyone in the community who wants to join the fight against cancer in Maine.

Every dollar raised at Champion the Cure Challenge supports patient care and research at Northern Light Cancer Care. Recently, Challenge funds were used to ensure access to groundbreaking clinical trials, hair preservation technology that reduces hair loss during cancer treatment, local genomic research, food for cancer patients in need, vision testing for pediatric brain cancer patients, and more. Since the first event in 2010, Champion the Cure Challenge has raised $5.5 million.

“Nearly every family in Maine has been touched by cancer, and our family is no different,” adds Andrew. “The Challenge is our way of standing up to cancer and encouraging others to join the fight.”

To register a team for the 2022 Champion the Cure Challenge and join the St. Patrick’s Day Challenge, visit ctcchallenge.org.