WipeOUT Cancer SPLASH set for Dutch Springs

FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES

Christine Albanese was laughing along with the network television show “Wipeout” when it hit her.

If people are going to splash and stumble their way through obstacles, why not do it for a worthy cause? And why not bring the idea to the Lehigh Valley?

Thus, the WipeOUT Cancer SPLASH at Dutch Springs was born.

Participants in the event Saturday at the Lower Nazareth Township water park can help raise money for cancer research.

Teams will race kayaks across Dutch Springs’ 50-acre lake, climb a rock wall, scuba dive and complete the "Wipeout"-inspired obstacle course.

When she shared the idea with Dutch Springs co-owner Stu Schooley, he was sold.

“If you’re a local business as we are, you need to give back to the community,” Schooley said.

Albanese added, “If I can get 500 people through the door, the owner of Dutch Springs will match the donation."

Albanese, 38, of Plainfield Township, has run and bicycled to raise money for cancer research but never organized a fundraiser.

She’s motivated in part because her 5-year-old son, Lance, developed a pre-cancerous lesion. She said the lesion will be removed before cancer can develop.

She’s also motivated by people she’s met at previous benefits, including Lance Armstrong.

“I believe everyone has been touched by cancer in their life,” Albanese said.

Participants in the obstacle course will climb an inflatable glacier, slide down the other side and then walk on an aqua mat.

“Basically it’s like walking on water,” she said. “You’re just cracking up, laughing because everyone keeps falling off.”

At the end, participants climb another large inflatable object, hop down and then perch on an “X,” where they wait to be launched into the water by the next person in line.

If you fall off at any point, you start over again. The more team members you have, the more likely one of them will complete the obstacle course and gain the team credit for finishing.

The goal of the event is to raise money to help cure cancer and have fun, she said.

“This is about positive energy,” Albanese said. “I think attitude is everything in life.”

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GET INVOLVED

The WipeOUT Cancer SPLASH is 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Dutch Springs, 4733 Hanoverville Road, Lower Nazareth Township.

It costs $35 to participate ($25 goes to cancer research). It costs $50 to scuba dive ($20 goes to cancer research).

Register at wipeoutcancerfoundation.com. Advance registration is highly encouraged but not required. T-shirts will be provided to all who register in advance. Those unable to attend the WipeOUT Cancer event can become a sponsor or make a donation by going to the website.

Other activities include music, vendors market, silent auction, Zumba classes with Traci Swanson and yoga classes with Denise Brady.

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/nazareth/index.ssf/2011/07/wipeout_cancer_splash_set_for.html