CHICAGO, August 2, 2011 — The Chicago Sky and the Chicagoland Area Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® are hosting a "pink out" to raise awareness for breast cancer at the Sky's home game vs. the Indiana Fever on Sunday, August 7, 2011. The Breast Health Awareness Game will be held at Allstate Arena and tipoff is at 6:00 p.m.
"We want to encourage our fans to join the fight against breast cancer," said Adam Fox, Chicago Sky President and CEO. "Susan G. Komen for the Cure does a phenomenal job of leading the charge in the fight against breast cancer, and we are pleased to enable our fans to easily contribute in a meaningful way to the organization just by coming to the game."
Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women and the leading cause of death among women worldwide. Every 68 seconds, somewhere in the world, someone dies from breast cancer.
"We are thrilled to be the beneficiary of the Chicago Sky's incredible initiative," said Michael Ziener, Executive Director of the Chicagoland Area Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. "Awareness is truly the key to survival and we're excited to bring the Komen mission to the Chicago Sky and their fans."
As a tribute to Breast Health Awareness, the Sky has created a Pink ticket package which includes a ticket to the game, a pink Sky t-shirt and for every Pink package sold, the Chicago Sky will donate $5.00 to Chicagoland Area Affiliate of Susan G Komen for the Cure. The money collected by Komen funds lifesaving education, screening and treatment programs right in the Chicagoland community to eradicate breast cancer.
As part of the day's festivities, the Sky players will wear pink uniforms and the Sky encourages all fans to wear pink in an effort to "pink out" the arena. At the game, breast cancer survivors will be honored guests and a silent auction will take place where fans will have a chance to bid on the pink game jerseys, numerous sports experiences and autographed memorabilia from teams and athletes from the Chicagoland area as well as the WNBA. All of the proceeds will be donated to Komen Chicago.
Additionally, the United States Postal Service will rededicate the Breast Cancer Research semi-postal stamp, which has raised millions of dollars to help find a cure since its issuance in 1998, in a special half-time presentation.
The Chicago Sky Breast Health Awareness game is part of a weeklong series of events organized by the WNBA to generate awareness about breast cancer and raise funds to help fight the disease. More than $2.5 million has been raised by the WNBA, its players and teams to help fight breast cancer through this program. As part of the weeklong series of events, all WNBA teams will host an in-arena Breast Health Awareness Night featuring special programming, including halftime presentations to honor local cancer survivors, live auctions, and the distribution of educational materials in partnership with local breast cancer organizations.
About the Chicagoland Area Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure
The Affiliate was established in 1997 with the first Komen Chicago Race for the Cure® held that same year. With the support of the signature fundraiser, Race for the Cure, the Affiliate has awarded grants totaling more than $8 million locally towards the fight against breast cancer by funding grassroots breast health education, screening and treatment programs. Grants are awarded each year to hospitals and community organizations that provide innovative outreach and awareness programs for medically underserved people in the greater Chicago area. For more information visit their web site at www.KomenChicago.org .
About the Chicago Sky
The Chicago Sky, one of six independently owned WNBA teams, is currently in its sixth season as a member of the WNBA's Eastern Conference. For information on 2011 Season tickets to see the Sky play at Allstate Arena, call 866.SKY.WNBA or visit www.chicagosky.net .
For more information about Susan G. Komen for the Cure, contact:
Alex Sabbag
asabbag@komenchicago.org
515-771-6158
For more information about Chicago Sky contact:
Will Steinberg
wsteinberg@chicagosky.net
312-994-5984
