DURHAM – The Duke fencing team, in partner with the Duke Cancer Institute, is proud to announce the Fence for the Fight campaign will relaunch for the 2023 season in memoriam of
Elizabeth Beguinet.
Elizabeth, Director of Administration and Recruiting for the Duke fencing program, passed away December 17 after a long fight with breast cancer.
Elizabeth, the wife of head coach Alex, was not just the team's recruiting coordinator, travel coordinator or seamstress for the uniforms. She was the confidant, the coach, the on-campus mom and family for 38 years.
"Duke fencing is a special team because of the family and the culture that Elizabeth and Alex created. Elizabeth was the heart of that family - strong, kind and endlessly devoted to the team. Her passion for the sport and for the team was infectious and unparalleled. Through Fence for the Fight, we can honor Elizabeth's memory and support those in our community who are battling breast cancer," said
Christina Ferrari,
Finn Hossfeld,
Terence Lee and
Zsofia Walter, 2023 fencing captains
Please support both Elizabeth and Duke fencing by partnering with us and the Duke Cancer Institute by making a pledge to fight breast cancer. With your support, the money raised will go towards cancer research, care of patients and a room dedicated in the Duke Cancer Center in honor of Elizabeth.
When the campaign first launched in 2020 by Blue Devil standouts
Eoin Gronningsater and
Lindsay Sapienza, it raised $30,144.55, making it one of the most successful launches in Duke Athletics history.
You can pledge either $0.10, $0.25, $0.50, $1.00, $1.75 or $2.50 for every win a team member gets over the year. For perspective, the fencing team won 1,215 wins in 2020. You can also choose your own pledge amount or make a one-time donation of any amount.
Your pledges will be totaled at the end of the season and you will be notified then of your pledge total by Duke Cancer Development to make payment.
For more information on Fence for the Fight and to donate, please click
here.
#GoDuke
