NEW YORK, May 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Six Flags Friends, the philanthropic arm of Six Flags, is once again opening its park gates in support of children and families whose lives have been impacted by pediatric cancer. "A Walk In The Park" returns for the third year to raise awareness and funding for the leading cause of death among children. Beginning June 5 – July 17, thousands of Six Flags employees and guests will don walking shoes at parks across the country to shine the spotlight on an important but often overlooked children's health issue.
"A Walk In The Park" will benefit local Children's Miracle Network hospitals through the Cure Kids Cancer initiative and 100% of donated funds will go to programs that directly improve the care of patients. Monies raised will allow hospitals to continue the search for a cure while also supporting Cure Kids Cancer's commitment to reducing the stress on patients by treating them closer to home.
"A truly rewarding aspect of my career is having the chance to meet and be inspired by the courageous children who are battling cancer, as well as individuals who commit their time and energy to supporting the fight against pediatric cancer," said Sarah Waters, Director, Children's Miracle Network and Cure Kids Cancer. "The money raised by "A Walk in the Park" events across the country will directly benefit children's hospitals in their search for a cure."
Since the inception of Six Flags' partnership with Cure Kids Cancer in 2008, Six Flags guests and "A Walk In The Park" participants have raised more than $750,000.
"Six Flags is committed to the Cure Kids Cancer organization and its mission," said Jessica King, Director Six Flags Friends. "Pediatric cancer affects thousands of children and families each year and we are honored to lend our name and resources toward finding a cure."
Participants can register at www.walkintheparks.org and sign up as an individual walker ($15 fee) or as a team of ten or more ($10 fee). All registration fees include breakfast the morning of the event, a t-shirt and gift bag. Participants who raise at least $50 will receive a complimentary ticket to the park following the walk. Cancer patients and survivors are invited to walk free of charge and will also receive a free ticket to enjoy the day at Six Flags. Walkers are encouraged to continue fundraising beyond the $50 mark for additional prizes including tickets to the 2010 American Music Awards, a Six Flags VIP Tour and a Kodak Zx1 Pocket Video Camera.
Local children living with cancer will serve as ambassadors at each walk and many families are expected to return to celebrate their successes and, in some cases, share their losses. All children will be honored for their courage in a closing medal ceremony. This year the Six Flags Discovery Kingdom walk is being dedicated to Alondra Fernandez, 11-year old leukemia patient and 2009 park ambassador who lost her battle with cancer in December 2009.
The events are designed to be a leisurely stroll inside the park and average approximately 1.5 miles, an easy walk for people of all ages. Participants will also enjoy a variety of live entertainment, food and fun. Go to www.walkintheparks.org for more information and to register for the event.
About Six Flags Friends:
Six Flags Friends is a series of programs throughout the Six Flags family of parks that make a difference in communities by encouraging local involvement, supporting the mission of various non-profit organizations, and bringing the thrill of Six Flags to children and families across North America.
About Six Flags
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation is a publicly-traded corporation headquartered in New York City and is the world's largest regional theme park company with 19 parks across the United States, Mexico and Canada.
About Cure Kids Cancer:
Cure Kids Cancer is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving and saving the lives of children with cancer by raising funds for local pediatric programs. Children's Miracle Network's hospitals can voluntarily participate in Cure Kids Cancer fundraisers. These hospitals provide diagnosis, life-saving cancer treatments, cutting-edge research and pediatric cancer education programs that help children with cancer and their families find hope for the future. Your donation goes to a local hospital that helps children with cancer in your community. Learn more at www.ChildrensMiracleNetwork.org.
SOURCE Six Flags Friends
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"A Walk In The Park" will benefit local Children's Miracle Network hospitals through the Cure Kids Cancer initiative and 100% of donated funds will go to programs that directly improve the care of patients. Monies raised will allow hospitals to continue the search for a cure while also supporting Cure Kids Cancer's commitment to reducing the stress on patients by treating them closer to home.
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"A truly rewarding aspect of my career is having the chance to meet and be inspired by the courageous children who are battling cancer, as well as individuals who commit their time and energy to supporting the fight against pediatric cancer," said Sarah Waters, Director, Children's Miracle Network and Cure Kids Cancer. "The money raised by "A Walk in the Park" events across the country will directly benefit children's hospitals in their search for a cure."
Since the inception of Six Flags' partnership with Cure Kids Cancer in 2008, Six Flags guests and "A Walk In The Park" participants have raised more than $750,000.
"Six Flags is committed to the Cure Kids Cancer organization and its mission," said Jessica King, Director Six Flags Friends. "Pediatric cancer affects thousands of children and families each year and we are honored to lend our name and resources toward finding a cure."
Participants can register at www.walkintheparks.org and sign up as an individual walker ($15 fee) or as a team of ten or more ($10 fee). All registration fees include breakfast the morning of the event, a t-shirt and gift bag. Participants who raise at least $50 will receive a complimentary ticket to the park following the walk. Cancer patients and survivors are invited to walk free of charge and will also receive a free ticket to enjoy the day at Six Flags. Walkers are encouraged to continue fundraising beyond the $50 mark for additional prizes including tickets to the 2010 American Music Awards, a Six Flags VIP Tour and a Kodak Zx1 Pocket Video Camera.
Local children living with cancer will serve as ambassadors at each walk and many families are expected to return to celebrate their successes and, in some cases, share their losses. All children will be honored for their courage in a closing medal ceremony. This year the Six Flags Discovery Kingdom walk is being dedicated to Alondra Fernandez, 11-year old leukemia patient and 2009 park ambassador who lost her battle with cancer in December 2009.
The events are designed to be a leisurely stroll inside the park and average approximately 1.5 miles, an easy walk for people of all ages. Participants will also enjoy a variety of live entertainment, food and fun. Go to www.walkintheparks.org for more information and to register for the event.
About Six Flags Friends:
Six Flags Friends is a series of programs throughout the Six Flags family of parks that make a difference in communities by encouraging local involvement, supporting the mission of various non-profit organizations, and bringing the thrill of Six Flags to children and families across North America.
About Six Flags
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation is a publicly-traded corporation headquartered in New York City and is the world's largest regional theme park company with 19 parks across the United States, Mexico and Canada.
About Cure Kids Cancer:
Cure Kids Cancer is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving and saving the lives of children with cancer by raising funds for local pediatric programs. Children's Miracle Network's hospitals can voluntarily participate in Cure Kids Cancer fundraisers. These hospitals provide diagnosis, life-saving cancer treatments, cutting-edge research and pediatric cancer education programs that help children with cancer and their families find hope for the future. Your donation goes to a local hospital that helps children with cancer in your community. Learn more at www.ChildrensMiracleNetwork.org.
SOURCE Six Flags Friends
