By Paul Leach
Correspondent
COPPERHILL, Tenn - Wildwater Rafting will host its fourth annual Raft for the Cure event Saturday on the Ocoee River. Raft for the Cure honors those who fight breast cancer and donates a portion of the day's proceeds to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
"It's our way of giving back to the community," said Jan Beck, Wildwater Rafting's marketing coordinator for East Tennessee and Ocoee River region.
"Back in 2006 we knew we wanted to do something to show the community that we cared. We kept returning to breast cancer again and again in our meetings. More people know someone who has been affected by breast cancer," she said.
IF YOU GOWhat: Fourth annual Raft for the Cure. When: 2 p.m. Saturday (other rafting trips all day, reception at 6 p.m.). Where: Wildwater Rafting, Highway 64, 3 miles east of the Ocoee Whitewater Center. Admission: $40. Phone: 800-451-9972, 423-496-2557. Websites: www.wild waterrafting.com/specialevents.php, www.chattanoogarace forthecure.com.
The designated Raft for the Cure expedition launches at 2 p.m., but Wildwater Rafting will offer guided rafting tours throughout the day. Wildwater Rafting will present a check to the Susan G. Komen Chattanooga affiliate at a 6 p.m. reception.
Jen Karn, Susan G. Komen affiliate coordinator for Chattanooga, praised Wildwater Rafting's event and looks forward to taking the whitewater adventure.
"This kind of event puts names to faces and touches people," she said. "This is bigger than me. It's about helping our country fight for our lives. Another great thing is that an active lifestyle is a component to overall best health."
Beck expects a good turnout and recommends making reservations.
Paul Leach is based in Cleveland. E-mail him at paulrleach3@gmail.com.