FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

 

Contact:

Lou Anne Campbell                                                            Charlotte Womac

Campbell Offshore Racing, LLC                          Al Copeland Foundation

941-685-4999                                                           504-620-3774

campbelloffshoreracing@gmail.com                   cwomac@alcopeland.com

www.alcopelandrace.com                                                  http://www.alcopelandfoundation.org/

 

 

AL COPELAND FOUNDATION

BRINGS POWERBOAT RACES BACK TO NEW ORLEANS AREA

Foundation Seeks Cure for Merkel Cell Carcinoma

 

 

Kenner, La., June 17, 2008 – The Al Copeland Foundation, which was founded by the family of the late Al Copeland, will sponsor the 2008 Al Copeland Memorial Powerboat Races August 1-3 at Laketown Park in Kenner.  The sponsorship is made possible through a donation to the foundation by AFC Enterprises Inc., parent company of Popeye’s Famous Fried Chicken.

 

Al Copeland loved offshore racing and excelled in the sport during the 1980s and early 1990s.  A six-time National Champion, Copeland popularized the sport by partnering with actor Chuck Norris in their Popeye’s/Diet Coke race boat. 

 

A portion of the proceeds from the race will benefit the Al Copeland Foundation and its mission to fund research for treatment and a cure for merkel cell carcinoma.  Admission to the event is $10 for a one day pass, $15 for a two day pass and $20 for a three day pass.  Children under 12 accompanied by a paying adult are admitted free.  VIP tickets are available at $125 for adults and $50 for children.  VIP guests will be treated to food from Copeland’s Restaurant, a cash bar and the best seats for race viewing in Laketown Park.  Passes can be purchased at the gate the day of admission.

 

The foundation is also hosting The Al Copeland Memorial Boat Race Party the evening of Friday, August 1.  With several bands, food from the various Copeland restaurants, a premium bar featuring signature drinks and fabulous live and silent auction items, the party promises to rival the legendary Copeland parties from “back in the day.”  Admission is $100 and all proceeds from the party will benefit the Al Copeland Foundation.  To purchase tickets to the Boat Race Party and to learn about sponsorship opportunities, visit www.alcopelandfoundation.org.

 

Al Copeland was larger than life.  As an entrepreneur, a humanitarian, and an offshore racer – few people have captured the public’s attention and imagination like Copeland did in his lifetime. 

 

On Easter Sunday of this year Copeland lost his brief but hard fought battle against merkel cell carcinoma, a rare and aggressive form of skin cancer.  His family is fulfilling Copeland’s dying wishes through the establishment of the non-profit Al Copeland Foundation.  The goals of the foundation are to help others with merkel cell carcinoma, aid in research for a cure, create awareness of this disease, help individuals in the community with the financial and emotional burden of battling cancer and support various community organizations close to Copeland’s heart.

 

Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare type of cancer that begins deep within the skin and spreads rapidly to other parts of the body.  It can quickly metastasize to the liver, lungs, brain or bones.  Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have completed extensive studies of merkel cell carcinoma and believe that within the next five years their research could lead to a blood test or vaccine that could improve the management of the disease or aid in its prevention.  The Al Copeland Foundation has committed to raise at least five million dollars to fund Merkel Cell Carcinoma research while also helping those affected by disease.

 

For more details about the Al Copeland Foundation visit http://www.alcopelandfoundation.org/.

 

For more details about the race and a course map visit www.alcopelandrace.com.