We did it, and our community showed up in a BIG way! The 8th Annual Hartwell Lake Ladies Jet Ski Crawl was an incredible day on the water, but more importantly, it was an incredible day for the Cancer Association of Anderson.
Together, our riders, business sponsors, volunteers, and community supporters raised an incredible $105,000! After expenses, $90,000 will be netted to the Cancer Association of Anderson. That’s not just a fundraising number. That’s money that will help local cancer patients and their families right here in our community.
The Cancer Association of Anderson assists 60 to 70 newly diagnosed cancer patients every month, providing treatment-related financial assistance, information, referrals, and emotional support.
95+ Business Sponsors. One Incredible Community.
One of the most amazing parts of this year’s Ladies Jet Ski Crawl was seeing how many local businesses wanted to be part of it.
We had 95+ business sponsors supporting the 2026 event. That’s up from 70 sponsors last year, and together, this year’s event surpassed the $67,000 raised in 2025, reaching $105,000 this year.
As a Title Sponsor, Smart Marketing was incredibly proud to be part of it alongside our fellow Title Sponsor, First Bank, and the many businesses throughout Anderson County and the surrounding community who stepped up to support the cause.
Laura Thompson with First Bank has been at the heart of this event, helping bring women together year after year for a day that combines fun on Lake Hartwell with a purpose that reaches far beyond the water.
To Laura, First Bank, and every business that sponsored the event: thank you.
Your support helped make this year’s event the biggest year yet.
And Then There Were the Riders…
Of course, the sponsors are only part of the story. The women who showed up on the water brought the energy that makes this event so special.
There was the ride through the marina, lunch at The Grill at Clemson Marina, the traditional group photo, the afternoon raft-up, and plenty of time spent laughing, catching up, and making memories on Lake Hartwell.
And this year, there was even a new way to get involved with “Bust a Yard,” giving supporters the chance to surprise friends, neighbors, and local businesses with bra-shaped yard signs while supporting the Cancer Association.
It was fun. It was a little ridiculous. And it was exactly the kind of thing that makes this event feel like a community tradition.
The Heart Behind the Cause
Behind all of the fun is a cause that matters deeply to our community.
Angie Stringer with the Cancer Association of Anderson has seen firsthand what this kind of community support can mean for local cancer patients and their families.
The Cancer Association of Anderson provides treatment-related financial assistance, information, referrals, and emotional support to people facing cancer in Anderson County. And because of the incredible support behind events like the Ladies Jet Ski Crawl, CAA can assist 60 to 70 newly diagnosed cancer patients every month.
That’s what makes the $105,000 raised this year so meaningful.
It’s not just a record-breaking number.
It’s an opportunity to help more people when they need it most.
Fueled by Fun. Powered by Purpose.
That’s what the Ladies Jet Ski Crawl is all about.
What began as a simple day on the lake with friends has grown into one of the Cancer Association of Anderson’s signature fundraisers. Inspired by her mother’s journey as a breast cancer survivor, Laura Thompson found a way to turn a day of fun on Lake Hartwell into something that could make a real difference for local families affected by cancer.
And eight years later, that purpose continues to bring people together.
We’re incredibly grateful to every person who played a part in this year’s success.
To our 95+ business sponsors.
To every individual rider and participant.
To the volunteers who helped make the day happen.
To everyone who donated, shared a post, participated in “Bust a Yard,” or simply encouraged someone else to get involved.
To Laura Thompson and First Bank for continuing to champion this incredible event.
And to Angie Stringer and the Cancer Association of Anderson for the work you do for local cancer patients and their families.
And, of course, to everyone who showed up and helped make year eight so special.
You helped raise $105,000.
You helped put $90,000 toward the Cancer Association of Anderson’s mission.
And you reminded us once again just how much can happen when an entire community comes together for a cause that matters. From all of us at Smart Marketing: thank you for making the 8th Annual Ladies Jet Ski Crawl one we’ll never forget.
Here’s to year nine!
