The Green Bay Packers and American Family Insurance today announced 12 charity recipients of funds raised in the popular Packers Breast Cancer Cap campaign, an endeavor that has raised more than $1 million.
The response to the campaign has been overwhelming, with more than 200,000 pink baseball caps sold since the program started in early July. Initial goals were to raise more than $100,000 to benefit three breast cancer charities focusing on prevention, treatment and research. Now, because of the tremendous support the endeavor has received and the $1 million raised, 12 charities each will receive more than $80,000 from the program.
"We're very proud today to announce the charity recipients of the pink cap campaign," said Packers President Bob Harlan. "These groups perform outstanding work on behalf of the fight against breast cancer and we're delighted to make contributions to their efforts. The donations we'll be able to make wouldn't be possible without the involvement of so many fans and supporters of the program. We were amazed at the response after launching sales this summer. Now, pink caps can be seen in many places around the city and state. It's a great testament to the caring spirit behind the pink caps."
"When we decided to partner with the Packers on this great cause, we thought the campaign would be popular - instead, it proved to be phenomenal," said Rich Steffen, sales vice president for American Family. "What we couldn't anticipate was how it brought people together working for a single great cause. American Family Insurance and its thousands of employees, agents, policyholders and friends are proud to have helped raise this money for these wonderful breast cancer organizations."
The groups that will receive donations from the campaign follow:
- After Breast Cancer Diagnosis (ABCD), Milwaukee (treatment support)
- Breast Cancer Recovery Foundation, Inc., Madison, Wis. (treatment support)
- Froedtert Hospital & Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee (research and treatment)
- Green Bay YWCA Encore Program, Green Bay, Wis. (treatment support)
- Gundersen Lutheran - Norma J. Vinger Center for Breast Care, La Crosse, Wis. (treatment support)
- Marshfield Clinic, Marshfield, Wis. (treatment)
- Ribbon of Hope Foundation, De Pere, Wis. (treatment support)
- St. Mary's Hospital - A Women's Place, Green Bay, Wis. (prevention)
- St. Vincent Hospital Regional Cancer Center, Green Bay, Wis. (research)
- UW Comprehensive Cancer Treatment Center, Madison, Wis. (research)
- Wisconsin Well Woman Program, Madison, Wis. (prevention)
- Deanna Favre Hope Foundation, Hattiesburg, Miss. (treatment support)
"The commitment of the Green Bay Packers and American Family Insurance to help women with cancer from this region is remarkable, and we are most grateful," said Joseph J. Neidenbach, St. Vincent Hospital administrator. "We have been leading the charge in the fight against cancer in Northeast Wisconsin for as long as the Packers have been leading the charge on the gridiron. This major gift will help local women continue to have access to cutting-edge cancer prevention, control, and treatment through St. Vincent Hospital's Regional Cancer Center . . . and we hope bring us one step closer to a cure."
"On behalf of the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services and the Wisconsin Well Woman Program, I would like to thank the Green Bay Packers and American Family Insurance for this wonderful gift," said Gale D. Johnson, director of the Wisconsin Well Woman Program. "We know that early detection of breast cancer saves many lives each year. With this generous gift, our program will be able to provide breast screenings to more women in every part of our state. The money will help increase the number of African American, Hispanic, Hmong and Native American women served by our program."
More than 200,000 women each year are diagnosed with breast cancer, the most common cancer among women in the United States. In Wisconsin, breast cancer accounts for approximately 33 percent of all female cancer cases.
Caps, priced at $15 with $5 going to charity, remain available online at www.packersproshop.com, as well as at the Packers Pro Shop, Packers Pro Shop Extra Points and concession stands on game days.
