Knott's Berry Farm Helps Raise Nearly $100,000 for Susan G. Komen Orange County

    TUSTIN, CA, May 02, 2014 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Susan G. Komen Orange County is proud to report on a successful two-month partnership with Knott's Berry Farm that helped raise nearly $100,000 for the organization to provide underserved and underinsured women and men in Orange County with access to breast health care and services. Throughout February and March, Knott's launched in-park promotions to raise funds for the local nonprofit, including a kick-off event attended by local breast cancer survivors, with a starting donation of $25,000. Additional fundraising efforts included the sale of discounted "Pink Tickets" and "Knott's for the Cure" memorabilia as well as employee fundraising initiatives.

"With this generous support from Knott's Berry Farm and our community, Komen Orange County can now provide close to 800 more underserved or underinsured women with mammograms," said Lisa Wolter, Executive Director, Komen Orange County. "That's 800 more women that will benefit from early detection and access to breast health services they may otherwise not have been afforded."

Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, the parent organization of Knott's Berry Farm, has raised nearly $1 million for Susan G. Komen in the last five years. This is the first year the fundraising activities took place at the Orange County Knott's park and will be donated to the local Komen Affiliate to help women throughout the county.

"Breast cancer touches so many lives, and Knott's Berry Farm is proud to have made a lasting impact in the fight against the disease, especially on a local level," said Raffi Kaprelyan, general manager of Knott's Berry Farm. "On behalf of the entire organization, we hope our efforts help at least one mother, grandmother, sister or daughter gain access to the health services they need."

The successful two-month fundraising effort stemmed from the collective support of Knott's Berry Farm, its employees and the community. The biggest highlight took place over Valentine's Day weekend as Knott's traded traditional Valentine's Day red for pink - the signature color of breast cancer awareness. The park's tallest attraction and tallest free-standing structure in Orange County, the Supreme Scream, was lit pink to further increase awareness of the initiative and the importance of breast health. The glowing ride could be seen for miles throughout Anaheim and Buena Park.

In addition, Knott's employees spearheaded their own internal fundraising initiatives benefitting Komen Orange County, including raffles and culinary events. Park visitors were greeted by a large Knott's Berry Farm for the Cure display, which featured Woodstock and Snoopy while Knott's employees adorned in pink buttons sold Komen special "pink tickets" at discounted rates. Park guests were encouraged to purchase limited-edition magnets and other pink merchandise items, which directly benefitted its fundraising efforts. Knott's-sponsored ticket giveaways, combined with an outpouring of media, social media and park fan support, also contributed to increased awareness of the campaign throughout Southern California.

About Susan G. Komen
Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Suzy, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer. Today, Susan G. Komen works to end breast cancer in the U.S. and throughout the world by investing more than $750 million in breast cancer research and $1.5 billion in community outreach programs over the past 30 years; providing funding to help low-income and uninsured women get screened and get treatment; advocating for cancer research and outreach programs; and working globally in more than 30 countries. Visit komen.org. Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter. For more information on Susan G. Komen Orange County, please visit www.komenoc.org or call (714) 957-9157.

About Knott's Berry Farm and Cedar Fair Entertainment Company
Knott's Berry Farm is owned and operated by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, a publicly traded partnership that is listed for trading on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "FUN." In addition to Knott's Berry Farm, Cedar Fair owns and operates ten other theme parks, three water parks, one indoor water park, and five hotels. Cedar Fair also operates the Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park in California under a management contract. Visit http://www.knotts.com or connect on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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