Fishing for the Fight 2018 starts at 7 a.m. on Saturday at the Hula Bay Club, 5210 W Tyson Ave. Participants will put their line in the water at 7 a.m. and celebrate with an after party at 3 p.m.
The tournament will benefit Beat Nb, a local nonprofit that researches neuroblastoma. University of South Florida St. Pete students co-founded the event and started it as a civil engagement project for a Leadership Ethnics class.
Last year's event honored 10-year-old Isabella Benisulk, a neuroblastoma patient who lived with the illness since her diagnosis at 2 years old. At last year's event, Isabella was at the event helping her friend Savannah Billett, one of the USF St. Pete students who coordinated the fundraiser. Just short of her 11th birthday, Isabella died Nov. 28, 2017 due to the cancer.
"Bella was like a sister to me," Billett said. "It's been hard to learn to live without her, but this event help keep her legacy alive. It's hard to know she won't be there, but I know she's there in spirit."
Billett says 15-20 boats are expected to register the day of the event; almost double their turnout last year.
"There were a lot of people last year that said 'I wish I had come,' so we're excited to get everyone involved to make a difference," Billett said. "Every penny counts."
The inshore fishing tournament will help fund efforts to beat childhood cancer, especially neuroblastoma with Beat Nb. Their will be a cash bar, raffle, silent auction and appetizers at the after party. They will give participants free T-shirts the day of the event. Registration is 50 for additional participants.
To register or for more information, visit beatnb.org/fish. Sponsorships are also available starting at 1,000 for the Captain, 5,000 for the Reel Deal. These sponsorships can also be found at beatnb.org/fish.
