Birmingham Hadassah will be Benchin’ for Boobs in cancer research benefit

Birmingham Hadassah will be pulling its weight when it comes to supporting Hadassah’s research into the BRCA gene mutation that increases the risk of developing breast cancer. Well, it will actually be bench pressing a lot of weight.

Benchin’ For Boobs, the chapter’s inaugural bench press competition, will be held at the Levite Jewish Community Center on Jan. 31 at 10 a.m.

The event is for those who already bench press, those thinking about it or who just want to try something new in support of a good cause.

The event weigh-in will start at 8 a.m., along with the “Boobie Goodie Bag” pickup. A BFB Power Breakfast will start at 9 a.m. and is by advance reservation. The contest will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., with the awards ceremony at 1 p.m.

There is also a weigh-in and pickup at ICON Performance in Cahaba Heights on Jan. 29 from noon to 5 p.m.

Categories are teen, novice and open. Weight classes are 95-132, 132-165, 165-198, 190-240 and 240-plus.

Registration before Jan. 15 is $36 for adults and $18 for teens ages 13 to 18. After Jan. 15, registration is $46 for adults, $28 for teens. Registration can be done at the LJCC, ICON or online.

Registration for non-benchin’ supporters is $18 and includes an event T-shirt. The Power Breakfast is $18.

Participants are requested to solicit at least $75 in additional pledges for the event.

A Hadassah oncologist recently developed a blood test that reveals it is possible to predict the presence of harmful BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations in otherwise healthy women using a novel technology called gene expression profiling. Hadassah’s Marlene Greenebaum Multidisciplinary Diagnostic Breast Center provides patients with sophisticated diagnostic technology and care.

Founded in 1995, Hadassah’s Clinic for Oncogenetic Counseling has helped more than 4,000 patients to identify their genetic risks for cancer.