Jiu-Jitsu group raises $23,000 for cancer fight

A nonprofit group formed by martial-arts enthusiasts announced it has capped a one-year fundraising drive with a donation of nearly $23,000 to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Connecticut.

Tap Cancer Out, a Fairfield-based fundraising group formed by practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu, said its ongoing fundraising includes merchandise sales, donations and sponsorships.

Its primary revenue source this year was its Tap Cancer Out Charity Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Tournament at Bunnell High School in Stratford in April, the group said in a news release.

More than 200 competitors from dozens of schools around the Northeast participated in the tournament, according to the release. In all, Tap Out Cancer donated $22,658, the group said.

"The generous donations given by all of the participants and supporters of Tap Cancer Out will enable the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to provide patients and their families with much-needed support as well as funding life-saving research," Brandy Sinisi, campaign manager for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Connecticut Chapter, said in the news release.

Tap Cancer Out was founded in 2011 to support organizations, hospitals, researchers and volunteers who work to fight cancer, according to the release. The group's founder said he was proud of its first-year fundraising results.

"It's a really special accomplishment not only for our small nonprofit, but for the grappling community as a whole," Jon Thomas said in the release. "The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society holds a special place in my heart, so we're honored to be able to provide them with this amount of funding in just our first year."