We take recess seriously.

Hopping 4 A Cure is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that hosts the Recess Olympics, raising money and awareness for MS one hop at a time.

How the Games Began

On October 13th, 2010, two High School juniors "Suited Up".

David Nassau and Gary Wexler wore suits, inspired by the TV show 'How I Met Your Mother', walked into school, and announced they were the first two Varsity Hopscotchers at MSD. They made up fake rules and competitions between classes. Recruited players at lunch. By the end of the week, everyone wanted in.

It was a joke. Until it wasn't.

David's father was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis when David was in elementary school. As his mom, Marla, puts it: "David has only known a father with Multiple Sclerosis."

Three months later, on January 21st, 2011, David, Gary, and Marla organized the first Hopscotch Tournament, using the fake rules they'd made up between classes to raise real money for MS. That first event raised $6,000.

"David has only known a father with Multiple Sclerosis."

- Marla, David's Mom

They thought it would be a one-time thing. It wasn't that, either.

That joke became a movement.

Today, Hopping 4 A Cure hosts Recess Olympics and Hopscotch Tournaments at schools and communities across the United States, turning playground games into competitions where people of all ages and abilities sign up as individuals or teams to fundraise, compete as Recess Olympians, and take home the gold. Speed Hopscotch, Endurance Hopscotch, Challenge Hopscotch, EXTREME Hopscotch relay races, four-square, hula hooping, jump rope, kickball, capture the flag, and more. EXTREME Hopscotch even has a division for wheelchair athletes.

We call it Recess For All Ages.

Every chapter is entirely student and community run. 100% of all funds raised stay local, going directly to college scholarships, caregiver support, and alternative medical research for individuals and families in your community affected by MS.

Every dollar stays in your neighborhood. Every event is powered by people like you.

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Scholarship awarded in each local chapter

Average age of scholarship recipient

Attendees (Olympians) per event

of events raised a net positive amount of money

What is Multiple Sclerosis (MS)?

Multiple Sclerosis is one of the most overlooked serious diseases in the country. It's a chronic autoimmune condition where the body attacks its own nervous system, disrupting the flow of information within the brain and between the brain and body. Symptoms range from fatigue and numbness to vision loss, paralysis, and diminished brain function. The course of the disease is unpredictable, shifting and changing from person to person.

There is no cure. Only ways to manage the symptoms.

With nearly 1 million people affected in the US and 200 new cases diagnosed every week, the need is real, and it's local.

1M

Americans living with MS

$4.1M

Lifetime cost per person

3x

More common in women

0

Known cures for Multiple Sclerosis

200

New cases every week

20-50

Average age at diagnosis

RECESS OLYMPICS & EVENTS

Go for the gold and compete against friends, rival organizations, and community groups in classic recess events. Primary events include:

Hopscotch Tournaments (Speed, Endurance, Challenge & EXTREME)
Jump Rope & Double Dutch
Hula Hooping
Capture the Flag
Four Square
Kickball
And more!

Open to all ages and all abilities. EXTREME Hopscotch includes a division for wheelchair participants.

AREAS OF SUPPORT

COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS

We award Scholarships of up to $1,500 to Students who are diagnosed or affected by Multiple Sclerosis at the schools/universities we host events

CAREGIVER SUPPORT

From paying for a Caregiver/aid to assist the family or if a spouse takes off work to care-give and needs supplemental income, we provide financial support to those in need

ALTERNATIVE RESEARCH

With many chapters being located at universities, it’s much easier to directly fund those experimenting on the leading edge of medical advancement

Scholarship Recipients

Kayla V.

"My mom (Dx. when Kayla was 8) is my best friend. my number one supporter and is the strongest person that I know. She does not let anything hold her back and works hard to show my brother and I how we can achieve anything we put our minds to."

Michael B.

"Multiple Sclerosis forced me to grow into a much better person than I was before my diagnosis. I appreciate life, family, friends, and every part my existence so much more."

Casey G.

Casey’s mom was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis around 11 years ago when he was only 10 years old. Hopping 4 A Cure helped Casey and his family pay for his higher level education!

Javai B.

“Multiple Sclerosis taught me that if I can’t get to a goal to then find another path, not give up on the goal. Multiple Sclerosis has impacted my life by making me a different, and better, young woman.”