Teams forming for ‘Racing for Cancer Causes’event
Teams can now sign up to take part in the inaugural “Racing for Cancer Causes Bed Race.”
Hosted by the 4 Words Foundation and 21st Century C.A.R.E., the event will take place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Cape Harbour Marina in Cape Coral. One hundred percent of the proceeds will be used to support cancer research, education, patient assistance, screenings and awareness in Southwest Florida.
“It’s a bed race to come out and support those currently battling cancer, those who have survived and the lives that have been lost – and the caregivers,” Marie Springsteen, the event coordinator, said.
The five-member teams will include four pushers and one person to ride on the bed. The teams are asked to decorate and design their bed in the cancer color they support. The race is 100 yards.
Organizers have enough space for 32 teams. As of Thursday, eight were signed up.
“We’ll be happy with anything over 10,” she said.
Teams can register the day of the event starting at 8 a.m., but advance registration is suggested.
The teams will race two at a time until the first, second and third place winners are determined. Medals will be awarded to the winners, as well as for first, second and third place for the best costume/design.
“We’re going to judge them for color, creativity, crowd reaction,” Springsteen said.
There will be a People’s Choice Award, where race fans can pay $1 per vote to see their favorite team win, along with an award for the top fundraising team.
“If they actually go out and raise their own funds,” she said.
Judging for the beds will begin at 8:30 a.m., and the races will kick off at 9 a.m. After the races, the winners will be announced from noon to 1 p.m., as well as the winners of several raffle drawings.
Raffle tickets can be purchased at the event or in advance at: www.21stcenturycare.org.
“We have four one-day park hopper passes from Disney World,” Springsteen said. “We have four passes to SeaWorld Orlando and four tickets to Aquatica.”
Other prizes include a round of golf for four at the Gateway Club in Fort Myers and a roundtrip ticket on the Key West Express, along with a dinning, shopping and entertainment basket. She explained that the basket contains movie passes and gift certificates to local businesses, like Ford Garage and Bealls.
“That basket already is value at over $300,” Springsteen said.
The Pink Heals fire truck and Radiology Regional Center’s Mobile Mammo Bus will be on site. To schedule a mammogram on the bus, call (239) 936-4068. Most insurance will be accepted.
“Because it’s Cape Harbour, the restaurants are open,” she said.
The entry fee for a team is $100, or $20 per person.
“Which is pretty much what you pay for any walk or run,” Springsteen said.
Participants must be 18 or older, and the person riding on the bed must wear a helmet.
“They basically have to have something that’s 3-by-5 feet. They all have to have a hand on the bed,” she said. “The design is up to them, that’s where the creativity comes in – make anything that rolls.”
Sponsorships for the event range from $50 to $1,000.
Vendors will also be on site. Vendor spots are available for $50.
Springsteen is accepting raffle donations until May 15.
“It’s all about coming out and having fun,” she said. “The worst thing that can happen with this whole event is that we just laugh.”
Online registration for teams, sponsors and vendors can be found at: www.21stcenturycare.org.Registration packets are located at: www.4wordsfoundation.org.
For information, contact Marie Springsteen at (239) 887-9264 or marie@
4wordsfoundation.org.
The Cape Harbour Marina is at 5703 Cape Harbour Drive.