The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Kicks Off Passionately Pink For The Cure(TM) October 1

DALLAS, June 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Coinciding with National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation urges businesses or companies, schools, religious and social organizations and individuals across the country to go Passionately Pink for the Cure(TM) this October. More than the color for breast cancer awareness, pink represents the promise between two sisters to find a cure for breast cancer. That promise started the Komen Foundation and ignited the passion of millions to create a world without breast cancer.

The Komen Foundation's new, year-round fundraising and education program is inspired by the passion and creativity of its supporters. The new Passionately Pink for the Cure(TM) program kicks off Oct. 1, when participants are asked to pick any day in October and make a $5 or more personal contribution to the Komen Foundation to wear their choice of pink outfit as a way of sharing the promise for the cure.

Outfits can be simple shirts or ties, cool sunglasses or accessories, lighthearted hats or full ensembles. The mission of the program is to encourage everyone to make their Passionately Pink for the Cure(TM) day fun and meaningful with breast cancer education and other activities while helping the Komen Foundation raise critical funds for breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment programs.

Through Passionately Pink for the Cure(TM), anyone can get involved with a nominal contribution of $5 or more and know they are making a difference for the fight against breast cancer in their community. Companies, schools, organizations, social groups and individuals register by visiting http://www.komen.org . Groups of five or more will receive a free participation kit with ideas to help plan and encourage participant support, pink Komen Share the Promise wristbands for participants, and educational materials about breast cancer.

"Breast cancer is diagnosed every day, impacting people in every community. It is expected that 212,920 women and 1,729 men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and over 41,000 people will die from the disease in 2006 alone," said Cindy Schneible, vice president of cause-related marketing and corporate partnerships. "We hope to see pink everywhere, every day starting in October to remind everyone of the crucial need to eradicate this disease."

A global leader in the fight against breast cancer for nearly 25 years, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation has invested more than $630 million in the cause, funding breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment. The Foundation hopes to raise $10 million through the Passionately Pink for the Cure(TM) program to further its mission. Contributors know their donations go toward fulfilling the promise for a cure. Last year, 81¢ of every dollar raised by the Komen Foundation, its network of 119 Affiliates and generous corporate partners and donors was put to work supporting

groundbreaking research and local services and outreach programs in more than 15,000 communities across the country.

October marks the start of the year-round Passionately Pink for the Cure(TM) program with additional activities to follow throughout the year. As hundreds are diagnosed with breast cancer everyday, Komen is encouraging people to remain passionate about fighting the disease everyday. To register for Passionately Pink for the Cure(TM) or to learn more about breast health and breast cancer, visit http://www.komen.org .

About the Komen Foundation

The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation was established in 1982 by Nancy Brinker to honor the memory of her sister, Susan G. Komen, who died from breast cancer at the age of 36. Today, the Foundation is an international organization with a network of more than 75,000 volunteers working through local Affiliates and events like the Komen Race for the Cure(R) to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease. A global leader in the fight against breast cancer, the Foundation fulfills its mission through support of innovative breast cancer research grants, and educational, scientific and community outreach programs around the world. Through fiscal year 2005, the Komen Foundation, together with its Affiliate Network, corporate partners and generous donors, has invested more than $630 million in breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment programs.

For more information about breast health or breast cancer, visit the Foundation's Web site, http://www.komen.org , or call its National Toll-Free Breast Care Helpline, 1.800 I'M AWARE(R).

Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation

CONTACT: Emily Callahan, +1-972-855-1607, or ecallahan@komen.org , or JillSmits, +1-972-855-1682, or jsmits@komen.org , both of Susan G. Komen BreastCancer Foundation

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