Uniting Against Lung Cancer’s 7th Annual Kite Fly Kicks Off Another Season, Bringing Families Together to Fight Lung Cancer

Uniting Against Lung Cancer will host its 7th annual “Kites for a Cure®” event this Memorial Day weekend on Saturday, May 25th from 4:00-6:00 p.m., [rain date May 26th] at Coopers Beach in Southampton. “Kites for a Cure” is a family kite fly to benefit lung cancer research, drawing more than 1,000 kite-flyers and friends to the beach to kick off the start of the summer season.

“Kites for a Cure is one of the sweetest highlights of Memorial Day weekend,” shares Mark Epley, Mayor of the Village of Southampton. “This event helps lift the spirits of those currently suffering, and comfort to those who have lost a loved one, in addition to raising awareness about lung cancer. Best of all, it brings families and friends together on our beautiful beach for an inclusive celebration – which is really what summer in Southampton is all about.”

Mayor Epley serves as the Honorary Commodore, memorializing his father, who lost his own battle with lung cancer nine years ago. Organizers of the event are excited to announce that the area’s U.S. Congressman Timothy Bishop will be joining the Mayor and other local officials and business leaders in attending the event.

Last year’s “Kites for a Cure” brought 1,100 guests together, and raised $60,000 in support of funding innovative lung cancer research. Organizers hope for an even greater turnout in 2013. With underwriting sponsorship from Rechler Equity Partners and The Hampton Business District at Gabreski, the kite fly is able to use every dollar raised at the event to fund 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.

“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 – and refreshments by Tates Bake Shop.  A “Family of Flyers” donation of $300 will cover a family of five.

“Raising awareness of lung cancer and raising funds to research a cure are two of the best ways to fight back against this devastating disease,” said Congressman Tim Bishop. “We have all been touched by a loss due to lung cancer, and supporting this vitally important cause makes spending a day at Coopers Beach even better.”

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 $10 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.