Baltimore Ravens Support Breast Cancer Awareness Month
The Baltimore Ravens will promote Breast Cancer Awareness Month through a variety of initiatives, beginning this Sunday (10/2) at the Ravens vs. Jets nationally-televised primetime game.
GRAMMY Award winner and country music superstar Martina McBride will sing the National Anthem at Sunday's game. McBride's new single, "I'm Gonna Love You Through It," offers hope and inspiration to those who have been affected by breast cancer. McBride will be joined by close to 50 women, a combination of breast cancer survivors and those currently undergoing treatment, during the pre-game tribute.
Ravens staff, family members and volunteers from the American Cancer Society will distribute 40,000 pink ribbons to fans as they enter stadium gates on Sunday evening. In collaboration with the American Cancer Society, the initiative, called A Crucial Catch: Annual Screening Saves Lives, reminds women 40 and older about the importance of having an annual mammogram. In addition, close to 20,000 fans in the stadium bowl will take part in a card stunt, showcasing the team and NFL's support of breast cancer awareness and prevention, just before the singing of the National Anthem.
The Ravens will incorporate many pink elements into Sunday night's game. Ravens players and coaches will wear pink-themed items throughout the game, including cleats, gloves, wristbands, jerseys, Gatorade towels and more. Ravens cheerleaders will sport pink pom-poms, and members of Baltimore's Marching Ravens will wear pink plumes. Official mascot Poe will also don an enlarged pink ribbon in tribute. In addition, the cover of the Ravens Gameday magazine will feature a pink hue.
Game-worn pink merchandise will be auctioned at www.nfl.com/auction, with proceeds benefiting the American Cancer Society. In 2010, the NFL and its players donated more than $1 million to breast cancer awareness, prevention and research efforts as a result of the A Crucial Catch campaign, with the majority of the donation coming from the sale of pink NFL Auction items.
The Ravens will light several elements of RavensWalk and Gate A in pink, including the 98 Rock stage on Johnny Unitas Plaza and the Johnny Unitas statue.
Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and the City of Baltimore will also light the town pink during the month of October, in honor of those who have been affected by breast cancer and Healthy City Days. Baltimore's well-known buildings, including City Hall, the Washington Monument and World Trade Center, will all be lit pink throughout the month.
The Ravens have further collaborated with the American Cancer Society in its efforts to create a world with less breast cancer and more birthdays through support of the nonprofit's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event on Sunday, Oct. 16. Fans can visit www.stridesbaltimore.org to join Team Purple. All participants of Team Purple will receive a commemorative t-shirt as a thank you gift. Over the past two years, Team Purple has donated more than $30,000 to the cause, with close to 200 participants each year.
For more information on Ravens' initiatives in our community or Breast Cancer Awareness month activities, please visit www.BaltimoreRavens.com/community.
