Carnival Cruise Lines Announces Winning Couple for Cooper River Bridge Run 2011 Wedding

Carnival selects Andy Cook and Tina Berwanger as the Race to the Altar contest winners

Charleston residents Andy Cook and Tina Berwanger have been chosen as  the winning couple in Carnival Cruise Lines’ Race to the Altar contest and will receive 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 launched a nationwide search and invited couples to submit an application for a chance to be the first to tie the knot in Marion Square, after racing to the altar in the 2011 Cooper River Bridge Run. The winning couple was selected from dozens of finalists based on their inspiring personal story, creativity of their submission, and their overall enthusiasm for the opportunity.  Carnival Cruise Lines’ Race to the Altar fundraiser will benefit MUSC Children’s Hospital as part of a year-long partnership.  The fundraiser will occur at the Finish Festival where, for every Carnival slushy served, $1 will be donated to the hospital, up to $10,000.

“We are truly excited to give Tina and Andy a wedding to remember and to inject some fantastic, Carnival-style fun and excitement into their very special day,” said Jim Berra, chief marketing officer for Carnival Cruise Lines.  “The festivities will not only be meaningful for the bride and groom, but for everyone at the Finish Festival who comes by and joins us for a celebratory slushy in a champagne cup to help raise funds for the MUSC Children’s Hospital.”

Andy and Tina will be the first couple to ever be married in Marion Square after running the Cooper River Bridge Run.  In addition, they will also receive:

  • First dance at the Cooper River Bridge Run Finish Festival 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

About the Couple:

Andy Cook, originally from Greensboro, NC, met Tina Berwanger, originally from Winston-Salem, NC, while taking a class together in college.  In the time they have dated, they have been through a lot together, including a life changing commitment to a healthy lifestyle.  Together, Andy and Tina have lost 115 pounds through diet and exercise.  They motivate each other and have taken on this lifestyle change as a team.  On April 2, Andy and Tina will Race to the Altar at the 2011 Cooper River Bridge Run, symbolizing their commitment to their healthy lifestyle as they commit to each other.

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.