Six Flags Friends Invites Guests to Help Cure Kids Cancer by Taking ‘A Walk In The Park’

Six Flags Parks to hold second annual Walk-a-thon event THIS SUMMER

NEW YORK, April 22 /PRNewswire/ — Six Flags Friends, the philanthropic arm of Six Flags, and Cure Kids Cancer have teamed up once again to raise awareness and funding for pediatric cancers through its “A Walk In The Park” program. This unique walk-a-thon event will take place at all domestic Six Flags properties April 26 through July 26 offering local neighborhoods a distinct, interactive setting to participate in a global cause while helping children who may live right next door.

“A Walk In The Park” is intended to educate communities across the United States about the real need to find a cure for childhood cancers – the number one cause of death by disease among children. The funds raised at all walk events are donated to local children’s hospitals to help children battling pediatric cancer in neighboring areas.

“Cure Kids Cancer is excited to partner again with Six Flags Friends on ‘A Walk In The Park,’” said Rod Hamson, Vice President, Sponsor Development, Children’s Miracle Network. “The efforts of Six Flags and the event participants will make a significant impact on the fight against pediatric cancer and help our hospitals continue the search for life saving treatments.”

Registration is now open. Those interested may visit www.walkintheparks.org for more information and to register to walk. Registration is $15 for an individual and $10 for those who join as a team of ten or more. All fees include breakfast the morning of the event, t-shirt and a gift bag. Participants who raise at least $50 will receive a complimentary ticket to the park. 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.

The following is a schedule of all upcoming “A Walk In The Park” events:

    Six Flags Park     Location        Walk Date Benefiting Hospital(s)
    --------------     --------        --------- ----------------------
    Six Flags Over     Atlanta, GA     April 26  Children's Healthcare of
    Georgia                                      Atlanta

    Six Flags America  Baltimore, MD/   June 6   Children's National Medical
                       Washington DC             Center

    Six Flags          Louisville, KY   June 13  Kosair Children's Hospital
    Kentucky Kingdom

    Six Flags Great    Lake George, NY  June 14  Children's Hospital at Albany
    Escape                                       Medical Center

    Six Flags New      Springfield, MA  June 14  Baystate Children's Hospital
    England

    Six Flags Great    Jackson, NJ      June 14  Bristol Myers Squibb
    Adventure                                    Children's Hospital

    Six Flags Fiesta   San Antonio, TX  June 14  CHRISTUS Santa Rosa
    Texas                                        Children's Hospital

    Six Flags Magic    Los Angeles, CA  June 20  Childrens Hospital Los
    Mountain                                     Angeles

    Six Flags Over     Dallas, TX       June 20  Children's Medical Center
    Texas                                        Dallas & Cook Children's
                                                 Medical Center

    Six Flags          Vallejo, CA      June 27  Children's Hospital and
    Discovery Kingdom                            Research Center Oakland

    Six Flags Great    Chicago, IL      June 27  Children's Memorial Hospital
    America

    Six Flags St.      St. Louis, MO    July 26  St. Louis Children's Hospital
    Louis                                        & Cardinal Glennon Children's
                                                 Medical Center

Local children with cancer will serve as ambassadors at each walk, reflecting the broad demographics of children with this disease that is no respecter of age, gender, socioeconomic background or national origin. The ambassadors are the faces that will represent the more than 10,000 children who will be diagnosed with cancer this year, the tens of thousands who are undergoing treatments and those who are forever coined “cancer survivors.”

“‘A Walk In The Park’ is a unique way for our family of parks to unite and channel our efforts for this very worthy cause,” said Jessica King, Director of Six Flags Friends. “We proudly host millions of healthy children each year, and these walks are a tribute to their youthful spirit and exuberance while bringing attention to those kids who may be too sick to visit this summer.”

Six Flags Friends is dedicated to finding a cure for childhood cancer and will offer guests multiple opportunities throughout the season to join in its efforts. Guests who are unable to participate in the walk can purchase a Six Flags Friends handprint for $1 at any park retail location in support of the cause or make a one-time donation at www.walkintheparks.org.

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, Inc.:

Six Flags, Inc. is the world’s largest regional theme park company with 20 parks across the United States, Mexico and Canada, and soon will be expanding beyond North America with destinations in Dubai and Qatar. Since 1961, hundreds of millions of families have trusted Six Flags to combine friendly-clean-fast-safe service with affordable, value-packed thrills, record-shattering roller coasters and special events like the Summer Concert Series, Fright Fest and Holiday in the Park. Six Flags’ wide array of entertainment options reaches all demographics – families, teens, tweens and thrill seekers alike – featuring themed attractions based on skateboarding legend Tony Hawk, the ultimate daredevil Evel Knievel, movie franchises The Dark Knight and The Mummy; as well as world-renowned, kid-friendly brands including Looney Tunes, the Justice League of America, The Wiggles and Thomas the Tank Engine.

Six Flags continues to develop new avenues for growth, acquiring ownership and management of Dick Clark Productions, producer of such perennial television hits as the American Music Awards, the Golden Globe Awards, the Academy of Country Music Awards, Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve and So You Think You Can Dance. Six Flags, Inc. is a publicly-traded corporation headquartered in New York City.

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. The 170 Cure Kids Cancer 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 the local hospital that helps children with cancer in your community.

SOURCE Six Flags Friends