This weekend, NASCAR drivers will help spread Susan G. Komen for the Cure’s NASCAR creed: "Go Pink or Go Home!"
Drivers Kyle Busch, Bobby Labonte and Elliott Sadler will "Go Pink" in Saturday's Bank of America 500 race at Lowe’s Motor Speedway.
Kyle Busch’s No. 18 M&M’S Brand Toyota, Bobby Labonte’s No. 43, sponsored by General Mills, and Elliott Sadler’s No. 19, sponsored by Stanley Tools, will be swapping pink paint with other drivers in support of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the world’s largest grassroots breast cancer awareness organization.
“Breast cancer is a disease that has affected many of our lives, either directly or indirectly,” Busch said.
“We at M&M’S Racing are committed to the cause and are glad we can help raise awareness among the NASCAR audience by going pink on Saturday for our No. 18 car.”
M&M’s Brand is making a $650,000 guaranteed donation to Komen for the Cure through the sale of limited edition dark and light pink M&M’S® Chocolate Candies nationwide – available is both Milk Chocolate and Peanut varieties from Sept. through Oct. In addition, 10 percent of the sale of its My M&M’S® “Promise Blend” of pink and white M&M’s Milk Chocolate Candies available exclusively online at www.mymms.com and 10 percent of the sale of its co-branded merchandise at M&M’s World Stores will benefit Komen.
The brand has been committed to the cause since 2003, raising more than $4 million to help find cures for breast cancer.
General Mills has already donated $4 million to Komen for the Cure, and turned some of its most beloved brands, such as Cheerios, Progresso Soup and Nature Valley Granola Bars, pink for the month of October. In addition, General Mills is encouraging everyone to join in the fight at www.PinkTogether.com, an ever-growing online community of support and hope that brings together those touched by breast cancer.
“We’re going to be making a difference out there, and it’s going to go beyond winning the race,” Labonte said.
“Winning Saturday's race is going to be our goal, but even if we don’t, we’re making an impact on people’s lives. That makes us feel pretty good.”
Stanley Tools is in its first year of partnership with Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The company will sell specially-marked tools at Home Depot through November with $100,000 donation to Komen.
Sadler has a very personal connection to the breast cancer cause; his mother is a breast cancer survivor.
“Watching my mother go through her treatments has made me want to do whatever I can to help end this disease,” Sadler said.
“If we can touch a few people out there with our message, we can say we ended the day a winner.”
While it is uncommon to see drivers in pink during a NASCAR race, Susan G. Komen for the Cure knows that with the help of these drivers and their corporate sponsors, they are reaching a very important audience.
“Breast cancer is the number one health concern for women and women make up about 40 percent of NASCAR fans.
It makes a lot of sense for us to pursue this kind of initiative through our great partners,” Katrina McGhee, vice president of marketing for Susan G. Komen for the Cure, said.
“We are committed to seeing a world without breast cancer and work to educate women everywhere about the importance of breast self-awareness and the early detection of breast cancer.”
The passion to "Go Pink" goes beyond the drivers. The pit and supporting crews for Richard Childress Racing and Gillett Evernham Motorsports teams will wear the Komen pink running ribbon and pink wristbands to show their support.
NASCAR fans can also "Go Pink or Go Home!"
Virtually anyone with a mobile phone can make a donation to Susan G. Komen for the Cure by sending the text message KOMEN to 90999 and make a $5 donation. Race attendees can also purchase Komen for the Cure "Go Pink or Go Home!" merchandise and visit Komen on the GoTM, a mobile outreach and community tour that brings the breast cancer messages to the masses, located in the Hospitality Village.
