Members of the American steeplechase community and other friends of Paul Rowland will come together on July 9 at Fair Hill, Maryland, for an activity-filled evening to benefit the trainer and his children as he battles a rare form of cancer.
The fund-raising event will be held from 6-11 p.m. at the Edward L. Walls Activity Center at the Fair Hill Nature Center. Donations, volunteers, and sponsors are being sought for the evening, which will support the Paul Rowland Fund. Rowland is undergoing treatment for malignant mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that affects the chest cavity. His medical expenses are expected to exceed $100,000 this year.
“American steeplechasing is as much a community as a sport, and the community has always rallied to the support of its members. This is a time of need for Paul and his children, and friends from all over the East Coast are planning to be at Fair Hill on July 9 to show their support for them,” said owner-trainer Michele C. Sanger, who is helping to organize the event.
Tickets are $40 in advance and $50 at the door. Children are admitted free for the family-friendly gathering. The event will feature great food, beer, wine, a children’s corral, and silent and live auctions. Sanger also promised that the evening will be enlivened by a “smoking hot band.” Volunteers are still needed for the evening.
Tax-deductible donations can be made through the Steeplechase Fund, which supports injured or disabled members of the steeplechase community. For tickets and other information, contact Sanger at michesanger@gmail.com or (406) 360-2252.
Paul Rowland