On May 24th, United Against Lung Cancer is kicking off the summer season with its eighth annual “Kites for a Cure®” event at Coopers Beach in Southampton. Over 1,000 kite flyers of families and friends are expected to attend and all proceeds will benefit lung cancer research. “We are hoping for blue skies, strong breezes and lots of friends to join us in honoring loved ones and raising awareness about lung cancer,” said Linda Wenger, Uniting Against Lung Cancer’s Executive Director.

“Since 2006, ‘Kites for a Cure’ has become the official start of summer for many people in and around our community,” said Mark Epley, Mayor of the Village of Southampton. “This joyous event brings families and friends to our beautiful Coopers Beach to raise awareness and honor those who have lost their lives to lung cancer.”  The kite fly holds a special place in Mayor Epley’s heart, serving as the Honorary Commodore of the event in memory of his father, who lost his own battle with lung cancer nine years ago. In addition to the Mayor, other local officials and business leaders from the community will be attending the event.

“Kites for a Cure” is a fun, affordable family fundraiser. All proceeds will go to Uniting Against Lung Cancer’s national lung cancer research grant program. A donation of $30 entitles guests to a high-quality kite that can be decorated on site with pictures, names, wishes, or messages of love to be flown over the ocean at beautiful Coopers beach.  A “Family of Flyers” donation of $300 will cover a family of five.  Chocolate chip cookies from Tate’s Bakeshop and beverages provided by Hint are also available throughout the afternoon!

“’Kites for a Cure’ is such a joyful and fun family-focused event that can be celebrated in a number of ways,” said UALC President Mary Ann Tighe. “We see a wide-range of participants, from single-flyers to groups of up to 50. Some flyers choose to honor their loved one in a quiet memorial further down the beach, while others share in the action and fly their kite for all to see. ‘Kites for a Cure’ is really special in that way.”

RECAP

What: Kites for a Cure® Event to benefit Uniting Against Lung Cancer

When: May 24th from 4-6pm (rain or shine)

Where: Coopers Beach in Southampton

Uniting Against Lung Cancer was founded in 2001 in memory of Joan Scarangello, a Southampton resident and non-smoker who lost her battle with lung cancer. The Foundation has awarded more than $11.5 million in research grants to find a cure for the disease that will claim an estimated 160,000 lives in the U.S. this year.  Lung cancer will kill more Americans this year than colon, breast, pancreatic and prostate cancers combined, yet it receives less federal research funding per death than any of the other major cancers.

Uniting Against Lung Cancer (UALC), a 501 (c) (3) organization headquartered in New York, is dedicated to finding a cure for lung cancer by providing funding for innovative research, and to raising awareness of the nation’s leading cancer killer.

For more information, please visit www.UnitingAgainstLungCancer.org or call 212-627-5500.