Churchill Downs, host of the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Kentucky Oaks (G1), and
Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the world’s largest breast cancer organization,
announced on Wednesday a partnership to raise funds to aid in breast cancer
awareness and research.
Kentucky Oaks 135, the companion event to the annual Kentucky Derby, will
feature a day of events to raise money and awareness for Komen, which leads the
global movement for breast cancer research, education, advocacy and community
support. The Kentucky Oaks is scheduled for May 1, one day before the famed “Run
for the Roses.”
Also on Wednesday, Churchill announced that NBC Sports will produce a special
featuring the food, fashion and celebrity experience associated with Kentucky
Oaks Day to be broadcast on sister cable network Bravo. The program will also
include special on-track events related to the new partnership with Susan G.
Komen for the Cure, from 5-6 p.m. (EDT) on May 1.
Through the new partnership with Susan G. Komen, Churchill Downs will donate
at least $100,000 to Komen by dedicating funds from Kentucky Oaks 135 general
admission and reserve seating attendance. If the effort to draw Komen survivors
and supporters to Oaks 135 sets a new attendance record (current Oaks Day record
is 111,243), Churchill Downs will donate $1 for every Oaks attendee, up to a
maximum donation of $135,000 to the nonprofit organization in 2009.
In addition, both organizations are working together to create special events
throughout Oaks Day, including a First Lady of Fashion Contest, Survivors Parade
and a special Kentucky Oaks winner’s circle formed by breast cancer survivors to
celebrate the Kentucky Oaks winner’s victory on the track and the survivors’
victories over breast cancer. Since the official color of both the Kentucky Oaks
and breast cancer awareness is pink, Churchill Downs is also staging a “Pink
Out” at the track on Oaks Day and encouraging all Oaks attendees to wear pink or
to incorporate pink into their attire for the day to show their support.
Churchill Downs will also honor Susan G. Komen for the Cure founder,
Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker, as the inaugural “First Lady of Oaks” for her
tireless dedication to the organization she established to honor her sister,
Susan G. Komen, who died of breast cancer in 1980 at the age of 36. The First
Lady of Oaks is a new element of the racetrack’s Oaks Day celebration that will
honor a special woman who has utilized her professional and personal experiences
to celebrate women and promote issues and causes that women support.
“We have special affection for our friends in Kentucky who support Komen’s
work here in the state and all around the world,” said Hala Moddelmog, president
and chief executive officer of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. “Our new partnership
with the Kentucky Oaks is a celebration of the passion and energy of women, and
the funds raised will go a very long way toward programs that are, literally,
saving lives. We are very grateful to Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Oaks and
we’re looking forward to being a part of this very special day.”
“Kentucky Oaks Day has always celebrated the top female equine athletes in
our sport, and so Oaks Day is a natural opportunity for us to reach out to women
around the world and encourage them to join us for a great day of racing,
entertainment and awareness of issues that matter most to them,” said Robert L.
Evans, president and chief executive officer of Churchill Downs Inc. “We know
that women care passionately about supporting charities that have an impact on
their lives and the lives of their loved ones. We are very happy to have forged
a partnership with Susan G. Komen for the Cure that will help men and women in
Kentucky and around the world who are fighting breast cancer. We are also
thrilled that our partners at NBC Universal were able to step up in helping us
reach a broader audience so that women across the country can share this special
celebration.”
“Our friends at Churchill Downs brought this unique concept to us and we
jumped at the chance to be a part of what will be a very special celebration of
women and breast cancer survivors,” said Dick Ebersol, chairman, NBC Universal
Sports and Olympics. “We are extremely proud to be able to cover what promises
to be quite a spectacle and a moving day for so many women.”
Churchill Downs will also create special areas within the track where Susan
G. Komen for the Cure supporters can gather and enjoy Oaks Day. As an additional
fundraising opportunity, Komen supporters will have the chance to purchase
tickets to two
Infield
Suite that will be specifically reserved for them. Komen will receive $250
for every designated Infield Suite ticket sold.
Churchill Downs will also utilize the Kentucky Oaks event to raise money for
Horses and Hope, a breast cancer initiative of Kentucky First Lady Jane Beshear
and the Kentucky Cancer Program. The organization’s goal is to work with the
state’s equine industry to identify new opportunities to provide breast cancer
awareness, education, early detection through screening and treatment referral,
as well as to raise funds to sustain programs into the future.
For more information on the Kentucky Oaks and the partnership with Susan G.
Komen for the Cure, please visit
www.kentuckyoaks.com
or ww5.komen.org.