July 7, 2004
TORONTO, July 7, 2004 – New Balance Canada has expanded its North American corporate commitment to breast cancer research with its newly announced roles as Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation corporate partner and national sponsor for the CIBC Run for the Cure.
"We are more than thrilled to enter into this partnership because it extends New Balance's corporate partnership with breast cancer research and community support across North America," says Jon Ram, general manager for New Balance Canada. "Our work in the U.S. with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Race for the Cure® began 14 years ago, and has continued to expand through our current role as a National Series Sponsor and the creation of our Lace Up for the Cure™ program."
New Balance Canada's partnership with the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation will support research funding and promote awareness of breast cancer. Through the New Balance Women's Challenge, they will provide prizes for the top women's fundraising team in each Run for the Cure site. The company will also launch Running Room / New Balance Survivor Clinics, which will provide more than 500 breast cancer survivors the opportunity to train with the Running Room for the 5K or 1K walk/run event as well as network and receive support.
Organized by the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, the CIBC Run for the Cure is a major highlight of October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The 2004 event takes place on Sunday, October 3 in 40 run sites across Canada and is the largest single day annual fundraising event dedicated to raising money for the fight against breast cancer.
"Our partnership with New Balance is an exciting new evolution for our organization," says Carol Seidman, CEO of CBCF. "We believe the power of their brand and the leadership they will bring through associates' activities and marketing support will truly make a difference to our event and to our ability to create a future without breast cancer."
The 2004 New Balance Lace Up for the Cure footwear collection, available at retailers across the U.S. and Canada, includes 12 models of women's athletic shoes from the running, walking and cross-training categories. Each shoe features an embroidered pink ribbon on the tongue. The collection is also distinguished by pink ribbon tissue paper in each shoebox and a hang-tag that explains the symbol's significance and the company's 15-year support of breast cancer. In Canada, a portion of the sale of each pair of shoes will be donated to the CBCF beginning in 2005.
In the U.S., New Balance has been associated with the Susan G. Komen Race For the Cure® series since 1989, and has been a National Series sponsor since 1991. As a National Series sponsor, New Balance partners with retailers and each individual race organizations across the country to promote awareness at the local level. In addition, the company sponsors Honorary Team New Balance, a group of breast cancer survivors selected from each race. In September, the company hangs a giant pink ribbon at their global headquarters in Boston, Mass., to highlight that month's Boston Race for the Cure.
About New Balance
New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc., headquartered in Boston, MA, is a leading manufacturer of technologically innovative width-sized performance footwear and athletic apparel for women, men, and children. The range of product categories includes running, walking, cross training, basketball, tennis, adventure, and kids. New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc. employs more than 2,600 people around the globe, and in 2003 reported worldwide sales of $1.3 billion. For more information please visit http://www.newbalance.com.
About the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation
The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation is the leading national volunteer-based organization dedicated to the fight against breast cancer. The Foundation works collaboratively to fund, support and advocate for relevant and innovative breast cancer research, meaningful education and awareness programs, early diagnosis and effective treatment and a positive quality of life for those living with breast cancer. For more information please visit http://www.cbcf.org.
