Carowinds and Komen Charlotte Team Up to Save Lives

CHARLOTTE, N.C., July 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Carowinds, Thrill Capital of the Southeast! is proud to team up with Susan G. Komen Charlotte for Carowinds for the Cure, a four-week fundraising initiative.  This special program will be held at the park and online from July 22nd through August 18th.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110330/CL73314LOGO )

During Carowinds for the Cure, guests can purchase tickets to the park at a reduced price of $41.99. These special tickets will be sold exclusively online at www.carowinds.com/forthecure, with one dollar ($1) from each ticket sold benefitting Komen Charlotte. Additional Carowinds for the Cure merchandise will be available for purchase at the park and with a portion of the proceeds going to the organization.

Beginning July 22nd, guests visiting the park will also have the opportunity to have fun and possibly win a car in the 'adopt-a-duck' raffle.  Ducks can be purchased at the park, online and at Scott Clark Toyota and Honda for five dollars.  Net proceeds from the raffle will go to Komen Charlotte. Each duck will be tossed into the pond beneath the Nighthawk rollercoaster through August 18th, when one duck will be randomly chosen. The winning duck's corresponding owner wins a new car – either a 2013 Toyota Camry, or a 2013 Honda Accord, donated by Scott Clark Toyota and Honda.

Carowinds and Komen Charlotte aim to raise funds and awareness to encourage those undergoing treatment, celebrate survivors, and educate visitors on the importance of mammograms and early detection.

"We are proud to partner with Susan G. Komen Charlotte again this year," said Bart Kinzel, Carowinds vice president and general manager. "Fighting this disease is a community effort and we're committed to saving lives, and raising awareness."

Lori Vaccaro, executive director for Komen Charlotte, is also excited to be working with Carowinds in the event's third year. "We are very pleased with our annual partnership with Carowinds for the Cure," she said. "The event brings in funds that our organization uses to assist people who are uninsured or underinsured and who need screening mammograms, diagnostic services, and treatment support. Through events like these, we are also much closer to finding a cure through research, giving hope to millions affected by the disease."

To learn more about Carowinds for the Cure, including official raffle rules, more information on Komen Charlotte, or to purchase tickets or raffle ducks online, please visit www.carowinds.com/forthecure.

Carowinds is owned and operated by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, a publicly traded partnership (NYSE: FUN).  In addition to Carowinds, Cedar Fair owns and operates ten other amusement parks, four water parks, one indoor water park, and five hotels.  Cedar Fair also operates the Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park in California under a management contract.

KOMEN CHARLOTTE

Susan G. Komen Charlotte is an affiliate of Susan G. Komen, one of the most widely-known breast cancer organizations in the world. Komen Charlotte raises funds through events such as the annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure®; Laugh for the Cure®; Pink Sunday; Carowinds for the Cure; and a variety of community events hosted by corporate partners, small businesses, faith communities, schools and volunteer organizations. More than 300 volunteers dedicate time and talent to educate, advocate and share the mission of Susan G. Komen.

It is estimated that in 2013 more than 234,500 women and men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and over 40,000 people will die from the disease. Komen Charlotte knows that breast cancer does not discriminate to a certain group of people – virtually anyone can get it. White Caucasian women have the highest incidents of breast cancer, it is the most common cancer among Latino women, and African American women die most often from the disease. And yes, even men get breast cancer.

Because of this, Komen Charlotte is committed to finding a cure for the disease. Seventy-five percent of every dollar raised is used to fund community health grants in our area, while 25 percent of funds support national breast cancer research grants. From mammograms and diagnostic services, to education and research grants, Komen Charlotte contributes millions of dollars each year to finding ways to fight breast cancer and increase awareness in our community.

SOURCE Carowinds