MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Pink Together®, General Mills’ national campaign dedicated to raising awareness of, and helping those touched by, breast cancer, will join country music superstar Martina McBride this month on her “ELEVEN Across America Powered by Amtrak” cross-country train tour. Riding the Pink Together Express, supported by General Mills, McBride will travel to 11 cities and treat fans to intimate performances at three of the stops. McBride releases her 11th studio album entitled “ELEVEN” on October 11, 2011, on Republic Nashville.
The four-day train tour will launch in Los Angeles in early October during Breast Cancer Awareness Month and culminate in New York City with a special “pink” lighting ceremony and private concert at the world-famous Empire State Building.
Pink Together will contribute $1,000 to each of the local Susan G. Komen Affiliates along the tour, for a total of $11,000. This is in addition to its $2 million national donation to the organization. This year, for the first time in Pink Together’s five-year history, consumers will choose how half of General Mills’ $2 million donation will be shared between two important Komen initiatives by voting at PinkTogether.com from September 19 to April 14, 2012.
Along for McBride’s tour will be Katie Parker, of Rapid City, S.D., who was selected as a 2011 Pink Together Survivor Ambassador for her story of courage and survival in the face of breast cancer. Throughout the tour, individuals can follow along and get the inside scoop through a series of Katie’s posts on PinkTogether.com.
McBride recently launched the music video for “I’m Gonna Love You Through It,” an inspirational song about going through breast cancer, included on her upcoming album “ELEVEN.” The music video features celebrities who have dealt with cancer themselves or supported loved ones with the disease.
“Breast cancer is something we’ve all been touched by in some way or another,” said McBride in a statement. “‘I’m Gonna Love You Through It’ is a song I hope will provide positivity and strength to those going through the struggle.”
“The message of Martina’s song — ‘I’m Gonna Love You Through It’ — is the essence of Pink Together,” said Eric Jensen, Pink Together campaign manager. “It is an incredible opportunity to partner with Martina to spread a message of hope and support across the country to everyone affected by breast cancer.”
Now in its fifth year, the Pink Together campaign was created by General Mills to build on the company’s 13-year commitment to Susan G. Komen in support of the breast cancer community. During that time, General Mills has donated more than $30 million to the fight against breast cancer.
About General Mills
General Mills is one of the world’s leading food companies, operating in more than 100 countries. Its consumer brands include Cheerios, Fiber One, Häagen-Dazs, Nature Valley, Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Green Giant and Old El Paso. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, General Mills had fiscal 2011 net sales of US$14.9 billion.
About Susan G. Komen for the Cure
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, which is now the world’s largest breast cancer organization and the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer with more than $1.9 billion invested to date. 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.
About Martina McBride
One of the most spectacular voices in any genre of music, Martina McBride is a four-time CMA Female Vocalist of the Year, three-time ACM Female Vocalist of the Year and GRAMMY®-winning recording artist with more than 18 million in album sales and 24 Top 10 singles, including six that hit No. 1. Martina is a wife and mother of three girls who has been featured on the covers of publications like Redbook, Ladies Home Journal, People, Country Weekly and Shape. Among her hits are such anthemic and empowering songs as “Independence Day,” “This One's for the Girls” and “Ride,” all of which have underscored her incredible popularity as one of music’s preeminent female vocalists. Martina’s first album on Republic Nashville, “ELEVEN,” is set for release on Oct. 11 and includes her first new music since 2009 —“Teenage Daughters” and her current single, “I’m Gonna Love You Through It.” Martina is a current nominee for “Female Vocalist of the Year” at the 2011 CMA Awards. www.MartinaMcBride.com.
Pink Together is a trademark of General Mills
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