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Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s Walk to Cure Diabetes “Invests in a Cure” at Carowinds this
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (April 17, 2009) –Carowinds will host the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s (JDRF) WALK TO CURE DIABETES ’09 on Saturday, April 18. In its 19th year at the park, the southeast’s largest JDRF Walk is expected to attract more than 6,500 walkers and raise an estimated $1.9 million.
The four-mile walk will begin and end at the park’s Paladium Amphitheatre, taking participants along a scenic path through the 112-acre park and its colorful themed areas such as Nickelodeon Central™, Boomerang Bay™ water park and Carolina Boardwalk.
JDRF’s Charlotte WALK TO CURE DIABETES is one of the foremost fundraising events in Charlotte, attracting almost 6,500 participants last year who raised more than $1.76 million. In addition, Carowinds makes an annual in-kind contribution of more than $185,000 to the Walk.
The 2009 Charlotte walk theme is “Investing In A Cure”. Diabetes afflicts more than 24 million Americans. Of these, as many as 3 million have type-1 juvenile diabetes, the most severe form of the disease.
“Our Association with the JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes is very special to the Park, and it’s an incredible sight to see the number of walkers continue to grow each year,” said Bart Kinzel, general manager of Carowinds. “When the cure for type-1 diabetes is finally found, it will be a great pleasure to know that Carowinds played a small role in finding a cure.
Panera Bread® will provide bagels for breakfast and Starbucks® will provide coffee for Walk participants in the morning. Participants also can join a post-walk celebration with live entertainment. Lunch also will be provided.
Walkers who raise $200 or more will receive a complimentary one-day admission ticket to Carowinds, a ticket to a Charlotte Knights baseball game, a Wendy’s® Single Combo Meal coupon, a ticket to a Charlotte Checkers hockey game (2009 – 2010 season) and a WALK TO CURE DIABETES ’09 T-shirt.
Charles Bowman, North Carolina and Charlotte Market President for Bank of America will serve as this year’s walk chair and lead the Charlotte event. Bank of America also is a presenting sponsor for the walk, along with WSOC 103.7, Wendy’s, and Carowinds.
Heather Childers, news anchor for News 14 Carolina, and Rob Tanner, host of the Tanner in the Morning Show on WSOC-FM 103.7, will serve as celebrity chairpersons and, along with Charles Bowman, will help begin the walk at 8:30 a.m.
Registration begins at 7 a.m. in the Paladium Plaza, located near the North Gate entrance of Carowinds. The walk begins at 8:30 a.m. and takes place rain or shine. Free parking is available to all walkers arriving prior to 8:30 a.m.
Those interested in participating in the walk can call Nina Kuhar, Special Events Coordinator at the Charlotte chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation at 704-561-0828, email to nkuhar@jdrf.org, or visit the website at www.jdrf.org/charlotte.
Carowinds is owned and operated by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, a publicly traded partnership that is listed for trading on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “FUN.” In addition to Carowinds, Cedar Fair owns and operates ten other amusement parks, six water parks, one indoor water park resort, and five hotels. Cedar Fair also operates the Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park in Gilroy, Calif. under a management contract.
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