Cancer Prevention Month with Tap Cancer Out and Kicksite
February marks National Cancer Prevention Month. It’s a time to raise awareness about cancer risk factors, causes, and the lifestyle choices that can be made to reduce chances of developing cancer. According to the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), about 2 million Americans were diagnosed with cancer in 2024, and over 30% died of the disease. Even so, the fight against cancer is hardly a hopeless endeavor. Research has shown that more than 40% of cases are linked to preventable habits and causes including smoking, excess body weight, physical inactivity, and other variables.
These numbers are one of many reasons why we’re proud to partner with Tap Cancer Out and help with the fight against cancer through the martial arts community. You may remember our 2024 Lift-A-Thon, where a team of Kicksite colleagues raised $13,000 to benefit Tap Cancer Out’s Global Grappling Day, or our Q&A with TCO’s Founder and CEO, Jon Thomas.
Global Grappling Day is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to Tap Cancer Out raising money to benefit cancer-fighting organizations. Throughout the year, they also host Jiu-Jitsu tournaments across the country that serve as fundraising channels and allow competitors to gather donations in lieu of an event registration fee. In 2025, these donations will be dispersed to a variety of beneficiary organizations like Alex’s Lemonade Stand, the American Brain Tumor Association, and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
Tap Cancer Out 2025 Tournament Schedule
February
- February 1 || Jacksonville BJJ Open (competitor registration closed, but spectators welcome!)
- February 8 || Columbus BJJ Open
April
- April 19 || Atlanta BJJ Open
May
- May 10 || Baltimore BJJ Open
- May 17 || Charlotte BJJ Open
- May 31 || San Antonio BJJ Open
June
- June 7 || Dallas-Fort Worth BJJ Open
- June 14 || Colorado BJJ Open
- June 21 || Detroit BJJ Open
- June 28 || Connecticut BJJ Open
September
- September 6 || Raleigh BJJ Open
- September 13 || Long Island BJJ Open
- September 20 || Oklahoma City 2025
October
- October 4 || Austin BJJ Open
- October 11 || Chicago BJJ Open
- October 18 || Nashville BJJ Open
- October 25 || Philadelphia BJJ Open
November
- November 8 || Massachusetts BJJ Open – Adults
- November 9 || Massachusetts BJJ Open – Youth
December
- December 13 || Global Grappling Day 2025
If you’re interested in competing/fundraising for one of the Jiu-Jitsu tournaments above, you can register here. Can’t find time in your schedule to attend a tournament? No worries! You can join TCO’s cause right from the comfort of your BJJ academy. Consider making a one-time or monthly donation, or join the #TCOArmy as an individual or team and get an early start on fundraising for Global Grappling Day on December 13, 2025! On Global Grappling Day, grapplers from around the globe will roll for an hour in honor of those who are fighting cancer every day. Since 2020 Global Grappling Day has funded nearly $1 million to the fight against cancer, and you can help that number become even bigger. Check out more details on the official GGD page here. All you need is ONE day and ONE hour to change the world!