"A Love For Life" to Race Six Boats in Philadelphia's International Dragon Boat Festival to Raise Money For Pancreatic Cancer Research

    NEWTOWN, PA, September 24, 2015 /24-7PressRelease/ -- A Love for Life (ALFL) announced today it has registered six boats in this year's 15th Annual International Dragon Boat Festival to be held on October 3rd in Philadelphia, PA along the banks of the Schuylkill River.

Residents and business owners in Bucks County, PA make up the majority of team members and sponsors who gather each year to raise money for pancreatic research. One hundred percent of monies raised are given to the Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania, a world leader in cancer research, patient care, and education.

"Our organization enjoys many sponsored fundraising events throughout the year, but none as large as the International Dragon Boat Festival. Each year we do this, we are reminded of the reason behind our mission: finding a cure while celebrating life, friendship, and adventure along the way," said A Love for Life President, Christine Edmonds. "Already we've raised more than $200,000.00 for pancreatic cancer research, and we're just getting started."

In 2014, A Love For Life raised on average approximately $15,000 per Dragon Boat. Paddlers and other members on the team range from novice to highly competitive, but all agree they are just out to have a good time.

According to the American Cancer Society's most recent statistics, about 48,960 people (24,840 men and 24,120 women) will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2015. Of those, about 40,560 people (20,710 men and 19,850 women) will die of the disease.

"The average survival rate for stage IV pancreatic cancer is a little over six months. We are determined to change that number," added Edmonds.

Sponsors of the 2015 A Love for Life team include Beneficial Bank, Doylestown Emergency Associates, Groundswell Design Group, MasterCard Worldwide, Yogasphere, Body Gap, Digitas Health, Healthcasts and more than 50 other companies. Groups of neighborhood children also organized snow cone and lemonade stands in Newtown, PA and Avalon, NJ to raise more than $1,000.

A Love for Life has also partnered with the Bucks County Chapter of the National Charity League. That organization donates hundreds of volunteer hours a year, and spearheads the Valentine's Day mailing effort, in which every donor receives a handmade thank you card. The Chapter also assists in race day preparation and logistics.

Individuals wishing to donate towards the Dragon Boat team effort can do so through online donations.

About The Abramson Cancer Center at The University of Pennsylvania
The Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania is a world leader in cancer research, patient care, and education. The pre-eminent position of the Cancer Center is reflected in its continuous designation as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute since 1973, one of 41 such Centers in the United States.

About A Love for Life
A Love for Life was founded on December 3, 2012 in honor of Kevin Edmonds (age 51) who died on April 10, 2012 after a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Kevin's sister Nora died in 2009 from the same disease at the age of 51. The organization's mission is to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer and funds for pancreatic cancer research. All funds raised are donated to the Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania.

For more information on A Love for Life, or to make a donation, visit http://aloveforlife.us/.
Federal tax EIN #462038591

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