Miami HEAT player James Jones named honorary co-chair of American Cancer Society Relay for Life on March 15

Baptist Hospital will host the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life of East Kendall — a survivors’ celebration, camp-out and relay-style walk around the hospital campus lake. Miami HEAT forward James Jones has been named honorary co-chair of this year’s event.

The fundraiser, which begins at 12 noon, Saturday, March 15, and ends the next morning, benefits cancer research, education and patient services.

Mr. Jones will address the 300-plus cancer survivors, their families and friends at the Survivor Ceremony scheduled for 4 p.m.  He will also offer basketball tips to fans, take pictures and sign autographs.

More than 3,000 participants are expected to pitch tents and raise awareness and funds for the cause, at Baptist Hospital, 8900 North Kendall Drive. Teams are made up of 10 to 15 people who walk relay-style around the lake during the day and throughout the night to communicate the message that cancer never sleeps.

This year’s Relay will feature special appearances by the Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders and T.D., the Miami Dolphins mascot. Participants will enjoy food and entertainment, play games, buy silent auction items and learn how to lower their risk of developing cancer.

Cancer survivors are given special T-shirts and are invited to take the first lap around the lake at 4 p.m.  They will be treated to a special dinner and other gifts.  A candlelight ceremony will be held at 9 p.m. to honor people battling cancer and those who have died from the disease.

Registration is $10 per person. Teams may also collect from pledges and hold fundraisers to support the cause.

Last year’s Relay for Life at Baptist Hospital raised more than $235,000 for the American Cancer Society, the second highest amount raised in Florida.  The American Cancer Society holds dozens of Relay for Life fundraisers throughout the region each year.

The event is supported by Baptist Health South Florida and it has been held at Baptist Hospital for nine years. Baptist Health’s staff and patients participate in the event. “We are proud to host this event again with the American Cancer Society to support raising funds for a cure while celebrating and honoring those people who battled the disease,” said Baptist Hospital CEO Bo Boulenger. “Our commitment to excellence in cancer care is a top-priority, which is why this year Baptist Health will break ground on a new $400 million comprehensive cancer institute that will bring cancer services under one roof on the Baptist Hospital campus.”

For more information and to register, call Marcela Gomez at the American Cancer Society at 305-763-9351, send an email to [email protected] or go to http://relayforlife.org/ekfl.

Baptist Hospital is part of Baptist Health South Florida, the largest faith-based, not-for-profit healthcare organization in the region. Baptist Health includes Baptist Cardiac & Vascular Institute, Baptist Children’s Hospital, Baptist Health Medical Group, Baptist Outpatient Services, Doctors Hospital, Homestead Hospital, Mariners Hospital, South Miami Hospital and West Kendall Baptist Hospital. Baptist Health Foundation, the organization’s fundraising arm, supports services at all hospitals and facilities affiliated with Baptist Health.

For more information, visit BaptistHealth.net and connect with BaptistHealthSF on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Contact: Damaris Zabala, 786-596-8351, [email protected]