Boarding for Breast Cancer (B4BC) is proud to announce its international expansion to Japan. Led by professional snowboarder and breast cancer thriver Tomoko Sugiyama as the Executive Chairwoman of the Board of Directors, B4BC Japan will host year-round events centered around breast cancer awareness, education and survivorship in the country. Officially established as a nonprofit, it is formally titled General Incorporated Association B4BC Japan.
“Shannon Dunn-Downing had initially invited me to join B4BC, which changed my awareness of breast cancer,” said Sugiyama. “Ever since then, I’ve been hoping to have something like it in Japan. Especially after my own experience and fight against breast cancer, I’m blessed with the opportunity to launch B4BC Japan and take the first step.”
Before leading B4BC Japan, Tomoko Sugiyama began snowboarding in her home base of Japan. She then joined the High Cascade Snowboard Camp in Oregon at the age of 17 and has been a professional snowboarder since she was 19. At the age of 38, Sugiyama was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer and underwent a total mastectomy and silicone reconstruction. This spring marked the 10th year since her successful surgery and she continues to share her story while riding for breast cancer awareness with B4BC Japan.
“As a Co-Founder of B4BC, it makes me so happy to have our message spread to Japan through my dear friend Tomo,” said B4BC Co-Founder and Olympic medalist snowboarder Shannon Dunn-Downing. “I’ve known Tomo for 30 years. She loves to create lasting friendships and has always encouraged others to live life to the fullest. Her experience with breast cancer motivates her to help prepare young people with education on early detection and promote the importance of maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle as the best means of breast cancer prevention. Arigato Tomo! I love you and I love Japan!”
B4BC Japan’s first activation event was an education booth at the Snow Bank Pay It Forward 2023 blood and bone marrow donation drive in the city of Shibuya. Many locals, tourists and men and women of all ages stopped by the booth to learn more about the cause and grab some B4BC merch to support the nonprofit. It was a successful first event for the organization, with wide interest in the booth and visitors returning with more friends to learn more about breast cancer detection and B4BC Japan’s initiatives to be healthy and get active for breast cancer prevention.
Burton Snowboards Japan is a proud partner and was present at the activation event, helping promote B4BC Japan’s message of breast cancer awareness. They will continue to be involved in a multitude of ways. Burton Japan will be donating a portion of B4BC’s ambassador and professional snowboarder Kimmy Fasani’s outerwear collection to B4BC Japan, distributing shower cards on how to perform a breast self-exam at flagship locations, set education silicone tools at 5-6 snow resort changing room locations throughout Japan and more. B4BC Japan would like to express its gratitude to Izumi Nakano, Event and Team Coordinator for Burton Japan and B4BC Japan Board Member, as well as Burton Japan for its support in getting the nonprofit established.
Upcoming events for B4BC Japan include a snowboard ride with Megan Pischke, professional snowboarder and B4BC’s Wellness Director and Marketing Manager, a Burton Mystery Stop and an online auction.
To learn more about B4BC Japan, click here.
About B4BC
Boarding for Breast Cancer (B4BC) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that advocates for early detection and a healthy, active, and conscious lifestyle as the best means of breast cancer prevention. Founded in 1996, B4BC empowers young people to make positive choices that promote lifelong wellness through grassroots events, educational outreach, sustainability, and survivorship support programs. Visit b4bc.org for more information.
