Hunt Yachts to Sponsor Annapolis Leukemia Cup Regatta

Hunt Yachts is proud to announce that it will sponsor the Annapolis Leukemia Cup Regatta, an annual yacht race held in the waters of Chesapeake Bay each spring.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Leukemia Cup Regatta combines the joy of sailing and water sports with the crucial task of raising money to cure cancer. Skippers register their boats and recruit friends and colleagues to help crew and to raise funds by seeking donations from friends, family, co-workers, and employers to sponsor their boat.

The regatta, a fundraiser for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, has evolved into an annual sailing race series with more than 40 events in 24 states across America. Yacht clubs in Annapolis, Maryland, and throughout the Greater Chesapeake Bay will join together to support the Annapolis event, which draws sailors from all over the region.

To date, Leukemia Cup Regattas have raised more than $42 million to support the mission of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to cure leukemia, Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society carries out its mission by funding leading-edge cancer research; providing information and support services for patients and education for healthcare professionals, and advocating for patients at national and state levels.

“With our many owners and strong presence in the Chesapeake region, it is a pleasure and an honor for us at Hunt to sponsor this important regatta, which launched the national Leukemia Cup Regattas series 22 years ago,” says Peter Van Lancker, president of Hunt Yachts. “It’s a wonderful event that combines good, fun racing with a great cause.”

“We are excited to sponsor the Annapolis Leukemia Cup Regatta and to help local sailors on the Bay raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society,” says Todd Taylor of Hunt Yachts Chesapeake. “This year’s Regatta also includes a new Cruising Photo Treasure Hunt that will give cruising sailors and powerboaters the chance to participate as well, by taking photos that will be displayed in a slide show at the Awards Party at the end of the day.”

The 2014 event, to be held May 30-31, marks the 22nd Anniversary of the Annapolis Leukemia Cup Regatta. The Regatta weekend kicks off with the Seersucker & Linen Summer Gala, hosted by Annapolis Yacht Club on Friday evening, May 30. The Gala includes a silent auction with a special prize donated by Hunt Yachts – the opportunity to spend the following day on the water watching the racing in a Hunt Harrier 29 with noted marine photographer Billy Black, who will give the winner tips on shooting images for the Photo Treasure Hunt.

The Leukemia Cup Regatta and Cruising Photo Treasure Hunt begin at 10 am on Saturday, May 31. The day’s events also include the J80 Luncheon and Fun Race with 2014 Honored Hero Skippers (local cancer survivors and patients), hosted by Eastport Yacht Club, followed by the Crew Party Picnic and Awards Party. For more information, to register your boat and/or purchase tickets to the parties, please visit www.leukemiacupmd.org or call: 443-471-1608.

Nearly 1,012,533 Americans currently battle blood cancers. Every four minutes, someone is diagnosed. They are men, women, children, of every race and every age. Every 10 minutes, someone dies from these cancers. Participation in the Leukemia Cup Regatta helps save lives! Last year alone, the Maryland Chapter of LLS funded over $460,000 in patient financial aid and co-pays and helped over 348 local patients. Its services reach out to and support patients through its patient navigation program in seven hospitals throughout the state.