Members of the Ames Figure Skating Club and the Ames Minor Hockey Association skated 35 laps around the Ames Ice Arena for the Scott Hamilton Cares Foundation’s Frozen 5K Saturday.
The event was to spread awareness about cancer and to share stories of community members who personally knew someone who battled cancer, and raised over $11,000.
“They skate 35 laps in honor of those who have been touched by cancer in some sort of way,” Virginia Stadler, the Ames Figure Skating Club president, said. “[The Frozen 5K] brings the figure skaters, hockey players and families to use their shared passion for the ice to turn cancer upside down.”
Scott Hamilton, a 1984 U.S. Olympic gold medalist figure skater, is a multi-time cancer survivor who created the Scott Hamilton Cares Foundation to be a voice in the figure skating community and support patient-friendly cancer research.
The foundation created “Sk8 to Eliminate Cancer” to help fundraise for innovative cancer research that focuses on putting the patient first. The Frozen 5K is included in these events and takes place across the nation.
“The Frozen 5K was just something I felt like we needed to do, because it’s different and unique,” Stadler said. “I think everybody is touched by cancer in some sort of way.”
The Iowa Cancer Registry’s 2026 report estimates 21,700 invasive cases, 6,400 deaths and 175,290 cancer survivors in Iowa. Prostate, breast and lung cancers make up 40% of new diagnoses.
“I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023,” Katrina Mader, an Ames Figure Skating Club Board Member, said. “Being able to come out here and be out here with my skater on the ice, and seeing [the participants] stay on the ice after they’re done with their laps is really nice.”
There was a station that allowed people to write down the name of someone they were skating in honor of. The glass was filled with family members, friends and loved ones who touched skaters through their battle with cancer.
“To see the kids out here putting in their effort hits that impact,” Mader said. “They need to know enough about [cancer] to be able to speak out about it. That’s the learning opportunity of [the event].”
Not only did the event raise funds for cancer research, it also spread awareness in the community and created a safe place to uplift the voices of those affected by cancer, fighting for research and finding a cure.
“A lot of us can be divided right now,” Chloe Lee, an Ames Figure Skating Club member, said. “There are a lot of things going on. I think it’s always good to have a bigger notion to bring that community together.”
Visit the “Sk8 to Eliminate Cancer” webpage to learn more.