Today we’d like to introduce you to Blake Arnet.
Blake, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I founded Dunk MS after my mom, Brigitte, suddenly passed away from Multiple Sclerosis in 2009 after being diagnosed for only two years. My family and I participated in Walk MS and Bike MS to help raise money for a cure starting in 2010. Fast forward to 2017, I thought to himself, with my background in entrepreneurship, sports coaching and basketball, why not start my own event and raise as much money as possible. After a year of planning, Dunk MS was born in May 2018.
We raised $80,000 in our first two years! It was amazing to see 300 people come together each year at Dunk MS for a shared cause of finding a cure for MS. We plan to have Dunk MS 2020 in the fall in West LA.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Anything that you create or do from scratch will have challenges and struggles. It’s hard to coordinate numerous moving pieces in order to pull off a successful event. It requires great planning, strategy, organization and teamwork. I’ve been lucky to have some amazing friends that are year-round volunteers and 50+ day of volunteers. Without them, I couldn’t make Dunk MS happen.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Dunk MS – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
Dunk MS is an annual fundraiser that features a pro dunk showcase by the world’s top dunkers! Before the main event, there is a kid’s basketball clinic, sponsor tables, silent auction, free tacos and entertainment for the entire family to enjoy. All donations support youth basketball, MS Warriors and MS research at UCLA Health and Cedars-Sinai.
We’re most proud of how far we’ve come in our first two years. Dunk MS has raised $80,000 in its first two years and averages 300 attendees with 70+ kids in the basketball clinic.
There is no other event like Dunk MS in the world and we’ve gotten worldwide recognition from the basketball and MS communities alike. All information can be found at DunkMS.com.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Our plan is to continue to grow Dunk MS each year in terms of attendees, donations and brand awareness. We’re currently talking to a few partners to make this happen in 2020. We have our eye on expanding Dunk MS to new cities in the long-term.
Contact Info:
- Website: DunkMS.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dunkms/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DunkMSOfficial/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/DunkMSOfficial
Image Credit:
https://www.craigwestonphotography.com/; Craig Weston
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