Orchard Park, NY - The Buffalo Bills are partnering with Kaleida Health, the Western New York Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Zeta Tau Alpha, and the Bills Women's Association to coordinate their fourth annual Billieve - Breast Cancer Awareness Program beginning this Sunday, October 11, 2009 at the Bills vs. Browns game at Ralph Wilson Stadium.
Pregame activities include a pink ribbon distribution to fans at the entrance gates, breast cancer survivors on the field forming Stampede Row, pink coin for coin toss and the presentation of the game ball, which will be a special ceremonial pink football. The Jills cheerleaders will wear pink jerseys and use pink pom-poms during the game. The Bills will have pink goal post padding, Billieve banners on the ring wall and ribbon logos painted on the field. Players will also use pink cleats, wristbands, gloves, sideline caps, Captain's patches and sideline and quarterback towels.
In addition, the Bills will implement the overall NFL BCA initiatives including pink ribbon stickers on player's helmets and players/coaches in pink-themed Reebok sideline gear. Delaware North Companies (DNC), the Bills retail partner, will sell the "Billieve" logo merchandise such as pink tees, hats, knit caps, "Billieve" logo mini-helmets and other pink-themed Reebok items at their locations and on-line with proceeds going to the local Komen and national American Cancer Society respectively. These items will be available at The Bills Store locations in Orchard Park at Ralph Wilson Stadium and in Victor at Eastview Mall.
The Bills and DNC will also host a player autograph session on Monday, October 12th between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to promote breast cancer awareness month via the new pink-themed product line at the Bills Store. Fans must present at least one "Billieve" item to be autographed by the players.
The WNY Komen Affiliate promotes and aids in the work of the Cancer Services Program of New York State. These county partnerships provide breast health screening and cancer treatment services for uninsured or underinsured women who qualify. For more information on this life-saving breast cancer service program, please call the American Cancer Society at 1-866-442-2262
"Partnering with the Buffalo Bills gives us a tremendous opportunity to share the important message of early detection to such a large audience of Bills fans," stated Jackie Mordaunt, WNY Komen Affiliate executive director. "One out of eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Early detection saves lives and is the single most important course of action in the fight against breast cancer."
"Susan G. Komen for the Cure is dedicated to discovering and delivering the cures, and finding ways to prevent breast cancer across the world," said Hala Moddelmog, Susan G. Komen for the Cure president and ceo. "The Buffalo Bills and their fans are helping Komen promote breast cancer awareness across the NFL in a very unique and dramatic way."
Kaleida Health is proud to be part of the "Billieve" Team promoting early detection and breast cancer awareness. As the largest health care network in WNY, Kaleida is committed to advancing the health of the community through education, research and quality services.
"The "Billieve" campaign is a tremendous avenue to spread the message that all women ages 40 and over should be screened for breast cancer with mammography every year," said Margaret Paroski, MD, Kaleida Health executive vice president and chief medical officer. "Every Buffalo Bills fan has a mother, daughter, sister or friend that could be at risk."
While developing technology holds the promise for new detection and treatment methods, mammography remains a critical tool in the early detection of breast cancer, which can save lives. Kaleida Health is proud to offer the "softer mammogram" for increased comfort to every mammogram patient at Buffalo General, DeGraff Memorial, Millard Fillmore Gates Circle or Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospitals.
Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure? and launched the global breast cancer movement. Today, Komen for the Cure is the world's largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. Thanks to events like the Komen Race for the Cure, we have invested more than $1 billion to fulfill our promise, becoming the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world. For more information about Susan G. Komen for the Cure, breast health or breast cancer, visit www.komen.org or call 1-877 GO KOMEN.
Since 2001, the WNY Komen Affiliate has invested more than $2 million to provide funding and support to agencies in our local communities that provide mammograms and treatment, breast cancer education and ongoing support. Up to 75% of the money raised locally funds programs in Western New York, and the remaining 25% helps fund the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Grants Program. Hundreds of thousands of dollars in these research programs have returned to Western New York for research programs at Roswell Park Cancer Institute and the Universities of Buffalo and Rochester.
