(Charleston, SC, January 27, 2011) – Carnival Cruise Lines is excited to announce the FIRST ever Cooper River Bridge Run wedding in Marion Square- a FIRST for Charleston, a FIRST for the Run, and a FIRST for Carnival! Carnival Cruise Lines is inviting interested couples to submit an application for a chance to be the first to tie the knot or renew vows at Carnival’s “beach” in Marion Square, after racing to the altar in the 2011 Cooper River Bridge Run. Carnival Cruise Lines’ Race to the Altar fundraiser will benefit MUSC Children’s Hospital as part of a year-long partnership.
“We are very excited to be a part of such a unique first for both the Cooper River Bridge Run and Charleston,” said Jim Berra, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Carnival Cruise Lines. “This is a great opportunity to create a wedding experience that really captures the spirit of spontaneous fun that we provide during a Carnival cruise, while also raising money for the patients at MUSC Children’s Hospital.”
Couples interested in winning a unique wedding experience and a honeymoon aboard Carnival Cruise Lines’ Fantasy can enter to win by February 18. To enter:
* Complete submission form available at www.bridgerun.com or email lmiller@rawlemurdy.com to request the form.
* Send in optional brief video description explaining:
o Who you are as a couple
o How you met
o Why you would be perfect to win
* Submissions can be sent to:
Rawle Murdy, Associates
Attn: Carnival Race to the Altar
Post Office Box 1117
Charleston, SC 29402
Email: lmiller@rawlemurdy.com
* Full rules available at www.bridgerun.com.
On February 25, the winner will be announced as the FIRST couple to ever be married on the beach in Marion Square after running the Cooper River Bridge Run. In addition, the winning couple will receive:
· First dance on festival main stage in front of family, friends and 40,000 fellow runners
· Honeymoon in an ocean view stateroom on a five-day Bahamas cruise aboard Carnival Cruise Lines’ Fantasy
Carnival Cruise Lines’ sponsorship of the Cooper River Bridge Run and the race to the altar fundraiser are part of Carnival’s year-long partnership with MUSC Children’s Hospital. Funds raised during the Bridge Run through participation of the Charleston public will be donated by Carnival to MUSC Children’s Hospital. The partnership includes several in-kind and monetary donations and fundraisers, as well as bringing smiles and fun to the patients of the MUSC Children’s Hospital with quarterly visits by Carnival Fantasy crew members.
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About Carnival
Carnival is “The World’s Most Popular Cruise Line®,” with 22 “Fun Ships” operating three- to 16-day voyages to The Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Hawaii, Panama Canal, Canada, New England, Bermuda, Europe, the Pacific Islands and New Zealand. The line currently has two new 130,000-ton ships on order – Carnival Magic, set to debut in Europe May 1, 2011, and Carnival Breeze, scheduled to enter service in spring 2012. The company has earned its leadership position by offering more of what consumers desire in a vacation – a wide variety of choices in a fun and relaxed atmosphere, along with outstanding value and beautiful destinations – at one all-inclusive price.
About MUSC
Founded in 1824 in Charleston, The Medical University of South Carolina is the oldest medical school in the South. Today, MUSC continues the tradition of excellence in education, research, and patient care. MUSC educates and trains more than 3,000 students and residents, and has nearly 11,000 employees, including approximately 1,500 faculty members. As the largest non-federal employer in Charleston, the university and its affiliates have collective annual budgets in excess of $1.7 billion. MUSC operates a 750-bed medical center, which includes a nationally recognized Children’s Hospital, the Ashley River Tower (cardiovascular, digestive disease, and surgical oncology), and a leading Institute of Psychiatry. For more information on academic information or clinical services, visit www.musc.edu. For more information on hospital patient services, visit www.muschealth.com.
