07/23/2026
Synonymous with Parrothead is the Annual Cypress Cove Breast Cancer Fundraiser. Although it began a few years after Parrothead—in 2006—it has grown right alongside the party and become one of the weekend’s most meaningful traditions.
In 2006, Laurel wanted to do something to honor the mother of her best friend, who had recently lost her battle with breast cancer. Laurel was a fan of Longaberger baskets, which each year produced a special Horizon of Hope basket to support breast cancer education through the American Cancer Society.
That year, while enjoying Parrothead at the pool, Laurel raffled her newly purchased Horizon of Hope basket. With that simple idea, the Parrothead Breast Cancer Fundraiser was born.
The raffle raised $515 and, more importantly, encouraged members and guests to get involved and support the cause.
The following year, two baskets were raffled. People began saying, “I could donate a basket,” “I have things for the beach I could contribute,” or “Can I help next year?” The momentum was building, volunteers were stepping forward, and new ideas seemed to appear every year.
As the fundraiser grew, so did the generosity of the Cypress Cove community. Each year brought greater participation from volunteers, members, and visitors, and each year the amount raised increased. By 2010, the fundraiser had reached an impressive $3,200.
From the beginning, Laurel and her husband, Ric, established one simple policy: every dollar raised would be donated to the fight against breast cancer. Whether the funds went to the American Cancer Society or the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, no one was reimbursed for supplies, basket materials, giveaways, or labor. Every cent donated went directly to support breast cancer research, education, and patient services.
Eventually, Laurel chose to align the fundraiser with the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer program. The goals of Making Strides closely matched the vision she had for the Cypress Cove fundraiser:
• Fund breakthrough breast cancer research to improve treatments and save lives.
• Provide free information, support, and resources for patients, survivors, and caregivers.
• Promote early detection and risk reduction so breast cancer can be found when it is most treatable.
Joining Making Strides also simplified the donation process. Supporters could donate online, take advantage of fundraising tools provided by the American Cancer Society, and the Parrothead team gained access to promotional materials and donated items that could be incorporated into the annual basket raffle.
Laurel and her volunteers continually looked for new ways to make donating even more rewarding. Every few years brought another innovation. Free gifts were introduced for $20 donations. Gift bags became available for $100 donors. A pink breast cancer tent was added and raffled each year for the winner to enjoy during Parrothead Weekend. The fundraiser continued to evolve while staying true to its original purpose.
What began with a single basket and one woman’s desire to honor a friend has become one of Cypress Cove’s proudest traditions—proof that a caring community, working together, can make an extraordinary difference.
The results have been remarkable.
In 2015, the fundraiser raised $11,000. By 2020, donations had climbed to $17,045. In 2025, the community contributed an incredible $32,000.
As of the end of 2025, the Cypress Cove Parrothead Breast Cancer Fundraiser has donated an astonishing $277,546.40 to the fight against breast cancer.
This year, another Innovation was added—the 250th Patriotic Bag—created in celebration of our nation’s 250th anniversary and continuing the spirit of giving that has defined the fundraiser from the very beginning.
Consider a donation to this wonderful fundraiser. Be part of the Team Laurel.
