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Media Relations: Mercy News Archive

Breast surgeon Dr. Dalliah Black, Hoffberger Breast Center at Mercy, will emcee event on April 27th when Kelly Corrigan speaks to a sold-out audience

Kelly Corrigan To "Lift" Spirits At April 27 Red Devils Benefit At Mercy

Bestselling Author & Breast Cancer Survivor in Baltimore Area to Promote New Book, Help the Non-Profit

Reading & Book Signing at Mercy Medical Center Part of Series of Events Leading up to June 13 “Heart and Sole Stroll,” the Signature Fundraising event for The Red Devils

Baltimore, MD April 8, 2010 – Kelly Corrigan, who won hearts and created a run on hankies with her smart and sassy breast cancer survival memoir The Middle Place, comes to Baltimore April 27 for a benefit at Mercy Medical Center for The Red Devils. The luncheon, book signing and reading of excerpts from Corrigan’s new book, Lift, are part of a series of events leading up to the June 13 “Heart and Sole Stroll,” the signature fundraising event of the year for The Red Devils, a charity devoted to improving the quality-of-life for MD breast cancer patients and their families.

“Kelly has a unique voice and is able to bring humor to dark subjects and make you believe she’s your new best friend. It’s probably why we’ve sold out of tickets for the luncheon part of this event, but she’ll stay later to sign books for the general public, and we are hoping her presence here – especially at Mercy, one of our 36 partner hospitals – will put the spotlight on our ‘Heart and Sole Stroll,’ letting people know they may sign up early, online for our 2.4-mile walk around Centennial Park for breast cancer,” says The Red Devils Executive Director Jan Wilson.

According to Wilson, “Those who miss out on the Mercy luncheon may still see Kelly (pictured left, with daughters) in the Main Hospital Lobby. She’s agreed to stay from 2:15 until about 3:30 p.m. to sign books before she heads to the Talbot’s store on Annapolis Towne Centre Blvd. for a 6:00 p.m. event in the state’s capital.”

Due to anticipated public demand, the location of the book signing at Mercy will be in the hospital's main lobby at 301 St. Paul Place.

A Bay Area resident who hails from the Philadelphia Main Line, Corrigan comes from a long line of Baltimoreans and even worked here in the 1990s for the United Way. Her mother Mary, grew up in the Homeland section of the City; father George “Greenie” Corrigan hails from the Govans neighborhood; and brother, Jack, currently works in Owings Mills at The McDonogh School.

Lift, Corrigan’s second novel, just came out and debuted at Number 2 on The New York Times Bestseller’s List. Jesse Kornbluth, of The Huffington Post, says, “Lift will be the Mother’s Day gift of choice deep into the next millennium, for Kelly Corrigan is the poet laureate of the ordinary.”

Corrigan’s first book, The Middle Place, remained in the Number One spot for six months. Written as a letter to her children, Lift is a tender, intimate, and robust portrait of risk and love; a touchstone for anyone who wants to live more fully. In Lift, Corrigan weaves together three true and unforgettable stories of adults willing to experience emotional hazards in exchange for the gratifications of raising children. Lift takes its name from hang gliding. For Corrigan, this air flight becomes a metaphor for all of life's most meaningful endeavors, particularly the great flight that is parenting.

See Kelly in action at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6jQ4VNEA9I

Other events to benefit The Red Devils this spring leading up to the Sunday, June 13 Heart and Sole Stroll include:

Saturday, May 1 “Celebrate Mother’s Day and The Red Devils” at The Cosmetic Surgery Center & MediSpa with Drs. Dean & Lori Kane, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. 1 Reservoir Circle, Suite 201, Pikesville, MD. Buy Dr. Dean Kane’s artwork; a portion of proceeds benefit The Red Devils. Call 410-602-3322.

Sunday, May 16 “Tasting at the Station” at Green Spring Station, 10750 Falls Rd. in Lutherville, organized by the Mildred Mindell Cancer Foundation at 6:30 p.m. to benefit The Red Devils and St. Joe’s. Tickets are $75. Contact momjps@aol.com

Tuesday, May 18 “Bag It!” Bid on gorgeous handbags to benefit breast cancer, enjoy wine pairings & good food. Rolling Road Golf Club, 814 Hilltop Road, Catonsville. Must register in advance. Contact Gayle James, gjames@koffel.com or Joann Petillo, jpetillo@schnabel-eng.com

Saturday, June 5 “Ride the Trail to the Cure” organized by the League of Maryland Horsemen. The three-hour ride through Patapsco State Park starts at 10:00 a.m. from the League’s Marriottsville property at 8067 Henryton Road (21104). Minimum $50 donation requested. Log on to http://ridetothecure.kintera.org

The Sunday, June 13 Heart and Sole Stroll is a half-mile walk through nature along a paved trail at Centennial Park in Columbia, MD and raises money for services funded by the non-profit to improve the quality of life for Maryland breast cancer patients and their families. Day-of registration is at 9:00 a.m. with the walk slated to start at 10:00 a.m. Registrants receive commemorative t-shirts; survivors get a special gift.

Strollers should plan to stay after the walk enjoy Centennial Park amenities: pack picnics (pavilion reserved until mid-afternoon); rent canoes and paddleboats; or reserve tennis courts. In the Stroller’s Village following the walk, raffles and prizes will be awarded to outstanding individual, family and team fundraisers – even a prize for “Best Dressed Devil Dog.” Activities there for children include a variety of games, face painting, balloons, clowns and more.

Register now on-line at www.heartandsolestroll.com Individual registration is $35; $70 for families. Formation of teams is especially encouraged.

For more information about these events or The Red Devils call 410-323-0135 or visit the website at www.the-red-devils.org

Founded in 2002, The Red Devils is funded through individual and corporate donations as well as contributions from foundations including the national as well as Maryland Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Social workers and nurse coordinators at partner hospitals and breast centers refer patients to The Red Devils service providers to arrange such complementary support as transportation to treatment; meals; house cleaning; and prescription drug assistance.