Puma announced that the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation was awarded a
check for $103,500 raised by its 2011 Project Pink program.
The group strives to eradicate breast cancer and improve the quality of
women's health through innovative research, education and advocacy. The donation includes the
full $25,000 pledged by Puma as the result of over 25,000 Tweets using
Twitter hash tag #projectpink.
“We are thrilled to be the beneficiary of the Project Pink proceeds and
are at awe of our supporters who voted for us and tweeted every day,”
said Naz Sykes, Executive Director of the Dr. Susan Love Research
Foundation. “All funds will be used for our groundbreaking research and
innovative programs, with the ultimate goal of moving breast cancer
beyond a cure by understanding the cause and ways to prevent it.
Prevention is possible, and thanks to Puma's Project Pink, it will be a
reality one day.”
2011 marks year two for PUMA and Project Pink. Building upon the
program's foundation as an awareness-builder and fundraiser in support
of the fight against breast cancer, year two continued with Project
Pink's charity contest at puma.com/projectpink and Puma's pledge to
donate 100% of profits from the sale of Project Pink Collection gear.
New supporters came on board to help drive awareness and #projectpink
Tweets (thanks, @JulieFoudy and @ninadobrev!), the product line expanded
with new fun graphic tees and wristbands, and a “Score a Goal Against
Breast Cancer” program drove additional donations at tournaments
throughout the season. And, in partnership with all six teams of Women's
Professional Soccer, Project Pink games also came back in a big way.
“It has been such an honor to have been a part of Project Pink this
year,” said actress Nina Dobrev. “It was incredible to see fans truly
embrace breast cancer awareness and get involved with PUMA in owning
Project Pink and making it their project. I'm thrilled that the proceeds
are going to a great charity and one chosen by the fans who have been
so eagerly devoted to the cause.”
Proving that Project Pink has legs outside of just women's soccer, PUMA
engaged its golf athletes in support of the program Rickie Fowler,
Lexi Thompson and Anna Nordqvist rocked pink at a golf tournaments this
season as well as its running group, which hosted a five-mile race
back in August with all proceeds going to benefit Project Pink. And, on
the men's side, some of PUMA's sponsored Major League Soccer players
kicked off Breast Cancer Awareness Month in limited-edition Project Pink
v1.11 boots, with Dwayne De Rosario, Brian Ching, Matt Reis, Jay
DeMerit, and more showing support for their female counterparts during
their games on October 1 and 2.
“We're proud of the success of Project Pink 2011, and we can't thank our
supporters enough from Nina Dobrev and Julie Foudy, to our sponsored
athletes, to the soccer fans across the country who truly embraced this
project and made it their own,” said Tara McRae, Vice President of
Marketing for PUMA North America. “We're so pleased that the money
raised is going to such a well deserving and great organization like the
Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation and look forward to seeing all the
great things they will do with their winnings. We sincerely congratulate
them and commend them on their efforts in the fight against breast
cancer!”
Details are still in the works, but we can reveal that, after two
successful seasons and donations totaling more than $150,000, big
changes are ahead for Project Pink 2012. The program's roots in women's
soccer and mission to empower and engage its young female fans certainly
won't waver, but PUMA has plans to expand the program's reach even
further in the upcoming season with new product, expanded events, and a
refreshed concept for Project Pink soccer matches. Stay tuned: more to
come, likely early next year.
