Tampa Bay Rays Team up with Miles for Moffitt to take on Cancer April 19

April 01, 2014

TAMPA, Fla. (April 1, 2014) – Moffitt Cancer Center and the Tampa Bay Rays will host Miles for Moffitt night April 19. The game will highlight Miles for Moffitt, an event May 10 that supports vital cancer research in the Tampa Bay area. The Rays will take on the New York Yankees at 7:10 p.m. at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg.

Miles for Moffitt supporters can cheer on a special group of cancer survivors who will be recognized on the field before the game. The event’s founder, Karen Dalton, will throw out the first pitch, and members of last year’s top fundraising team, O’Brien’s Fire Breathing Duckies, will help fans sing along to “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.” In 2013, the Duckies raised more than $25,000 for cancer research.

“After my mother was diagnosed with cancer, I created this Miles for Moffitt team not only to help fund cancer research and fight back against a disease that has taken so much, but also to show our kids that when we work together, we can make a difference. So many families like mine will face their own battle against cancer. I am excited to celebrate amazing stories of survival and a commitment to keep working for a cure with the Rays!” said Dani Gray, team captain of O’Brien’s Fire Breathing Duckies.

Evan Longoria returns to this year’s race as Miles for Moffitt’s special ambassador and will be looking for Rays fans to help raise money for cancer research at Moffitt through his virtual team, which will be announced at a later date.

“The Rays take great pride in our partnership with Moffitt Cancer Center. We’re looking forward to Miles for Moffitt, which has quickly turned into a wonderful tradition in Tampa Bay,” said Mark Fernandez, senior vice president of the Tampa Bay Rays.

Tickets for the Rays-Yankees game can be purchased here.

Miles for Moffitt will have an informational booth where Rays fans can sign up to participate in Miles for Moffitt as an individual runner, join or create a team, or register as a virtual runner or a volunteer.

The 9^th-annual Miles for Moffitt event is Saturday, May 10, at the University of South Florida. Since 2006, Miles for Moffitt has raised nearly $1.5 million and funded 27 researchers and their cancer research programs at Moffitt. All of the money raised through registration and donations funds finding a cure for cancer right here in the Tampa Bay area. Last year’s race hosted 6,000 people who raised $346,000. To register for Miles for Moffitt, visit www.MilesForMoffitt.com.

About Moffitt Cancer Center
Located in Tampa, Moffitt is one of only 41 National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers, a distinction that recognizes Moffitt’s excellence in research, its contributions to clinical trials, prevention and cancer control. Moffitt is the No. 1 cancer hospital in Florida and has been listed in U.S. News & World Report as one of “America’s Best Hospitals” for cancer since 1999. With more than 4,200 employees, Moffitt has an economic impact on the state of nearly $2 billion. For more information, visit MOFFITT.org, and follow the Moffitt momentum on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

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