Hull teen’s jujitsu fundraiser fighting to ‘Tap Cancer Out’
By Victoria Dolan
When he’s not being homeschooled or hanging out with his friends, Hull teen Robby Warford participates in a unique extracurricular activity – raising thousands of dollars for cancer through jujitsu.
ROBBY WARFORD
Involved in martial arts since he was four, Warford has participated in many tournaments, including “Tap Cancer Out,” which aims to raise $250,000 annually to support cancer-fighting beneficiaries. He started fundraising for Tap Cancer Out around five years ago and typically raises between $6,000 and $7,000 each year.
So how does he do it?
“I talk to people,” Robby said simply. The Warfords have fostered close bonds with their neighbors, and he often goes door-to-door asking for donations and handing out fliers.
“A lot of it is face-to-face interaction,” explained Warford’s mother, Gwen Floyd. “He has a lot of support right in our neighborhood.”
This year, Warford has raised almost $6,000 out of his goal of $7,500. With several weeks left in the fundraiser, he’s hoping to meet or exceed this goal, saying, “it’d be great if I could get even more.”
Warford has his own motivation to work toward this goal.
TAPPING OUT. Hull’s Robby Warford is nearing his fundraising goal of $7,500 to fight cancer in the ‘Tap Cancer Out’ event, a jujitsu tournament that raises thousands of dollars for the cause each year. [Photos courtesy of Gwen Floyd]
“A lot of my family members have passed away from cancer,” he said, which is what caused him to “want to raise money to help fight cancer.”
The impacts of his efforts are clearly visible. Floyd has a friend in the cancer community who receives benefits from organizations similar to the ones that benefit from Tap Cancer Out donations.
“The fundraising is not just for research, it’s for benefits,” explained Floyd, which “helps families” and can “make a world of difference.”
As the top children’s fundraiser in the Tap Cancer Out Massachusetts Open tournament last year, Warford has learned many lessons from the time he’s spent fundraising.
“It taught me to appreciate people, friends, neighbors, and family,” he said. “It taught me to care about other people and help them.”
Warford will compete in the Tap Cancer Out BJJ Open in Danvers on Nov.19 If he’s not going door-to-door for donations, you can find him at the dojo, working on homeschooling activities, playing chess, or outdoors with his friends.
To find out more about Tap Cancer Out and to support Warford’s effort with a donation, visit wecan.tapcancerout.org/fundraiser/4127073.