Rheem Launches Second-Annual Chasing the Cure Breast Cancer Awareness Program .

2012-09-28

Rheem partners with Richard Childress Racing and Eddie Sharp Racing for charitable effort benefiting Young Survival Coalition

ATLANTA (September 28, 2012)—For the second year in a row, Rheem and its racing partners, Richard Childress Racing (RCR) and Eddie Sharp Racing (ESR), will commemorate National Breast Cancer Awareness Month by sponsoring Rheem Chasing the Cure—a charitable program benefiting Young Survival Coalition (YSC). Established in 1998, YSC was the first nonprofit organization to focus exclusively on the unique needs of young women diagnosed with breast cancer. Each year, approximately 70,000 men and women ages 15 to 39 are diagnosed with cancer in the United States, and breast cancer accounts for roughly 15 percent of all cancers in this age group (source: "Closing the Gap: Research and Care Imperatives for Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer").

The multi-faceted Rheem Chasing the Cure program will feature special pink and black paint schemes on the No. 29 Rheem Chevrolet in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series® and the No. 33 Rheem Chevrolet Silverado in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series®, a video contest for Rheem Racing Facebook fans, Rheem Chasing the Cure themed merchandise—including an exclusive silk scarf designed in YSC’s colors, and more.

Rheem and ESR will debut a pink and black paint scheme on the No. 33 Rheem Chasing the Cure Chevrolet Silverado, driven by Cale Gale, for the Oct. 6 Camping World Truck Series “Coca-Cola 250 powered by fred’s” at Talladega Superspeedway (Ala.); the truck will run again on Oct. 27 in the “Kroger 200” at Martinsville Speedway (Va.). Driver Gale will wear a custom-designed pink and black firesuit in both races.

“The women and men of Rheem are pleased to use our partnerships with Richard Childress, Eddie Sharp and their fine organizations to support the valuable work of YSC. Through the efforts of YSC and those of so many other worthwhile organizations, we are confident that the Chase for a breast cancer cure will have an eventual happy ending,” said Ed Raniszeski, Rheem corporate director, strategic relations.

Rheem and RCR will feature a similar pink and black paint scheme on the No. 29 Rheem Chasing the Cure Chevrolet, driven by Kevin Harvick, for the Oct. 28 Sprint Cup Series “Tums Fast Relief 500” at Martinsville Speedway. Harvick will also wear a Rheem Chasing the Cure pink and black firesuit in this race.

Beginning Oct. 1, Rheem will launch a contest on its Rheem Racing Facebook fan page to garner support for breast cancer awareness. The contest will encourage breast cancer survivors to share a 30- to 60-second video testimonial that details their “victory” over breast cancer. Rheem, RCR, ESR and YSC will select five semi-finalists from the entries received through Oct. 21. Then, Rheem Racing Facebook fans have until the end of the month to vote for their favorite video. The video with the most votes at the end of the month will be this year’s winner. Rheem will award the winner and an adult companion with a VIP trip and racing experience in 2013.

Rheem will also offer Chasing the Cure-themed merchandise for the program. This year’s merchandise will include a beautiful pink silk scarf with a subtle YSC logo that will be available for a limited time on Rheem.com—beginning the week of Oct. 1—for $20, plus shipping and handling. NASCAR fans will quickly recognize the scarf, as women throughout the sport will be wearing it at various races during October. In addition, Motorsports Authentics® has developed commemorative men’s and women’s T-shirts and hats, and Lionel NASCAR Collectables® created a special die-cast car. Chasing the Cure apparel and die-cast cars will be sold at all NASCAR races through the remainder of the 2012 season, while supplies last. Proceeds from Rheem Chasing the Cure merchandise sales will be donated to YSC.

“YSC feels honored to partner with Rheem on its Chasing the Cure program,” commented Jennifer Merschdorf, CEO of Young Survival Coalition. “We are grateful for the commitment Rheem, RCR and ESR have shown to the quarter of a million women living in the U.S. today who were diagnosed before their 41st birthday and to raising awareness among NASCAR’s fans and the greater general public that young women can and do get breast cancer.”

In addition, Rheem employees will be fully engaged with the Chasing the Cure program through an employee photo contest, open to Rheem employees and their immediate family members, and fundraising activities. For more information on the Rheem Chasing the Cure program, please see www.facebook.com/rheemracing.

About Rheem
Rheem (www.rheem.com) is privately held with headquarters in Atlanta and U.S. operations in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Indiana, Minnesota and North Carolina. In its 87th year of operation, the company manufactures a full-line of eco-friendly, technologically advanced residential and commercial heating and cooling systems; tank, tankless, solar and hybrid heat pump water heaters; whole-home standby generators, controls, swimming pool and spa heaters; indoor air-purification products; and commercial boilers throughout North America and world markets. The company’s premium brands, including Rheem, Raypak, Ruud and Richmond have been recognized with countless industry and consumer awards for reliability, innovative design and high quality. Rheem is a primary sponsor of Richard Childress Racing’s (RCR) No. 29 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series® car, driven by Kevin Harvick. Rheem also supports the NASCAR Nationwide Series® through its co-sponsorship with Menards® of RCR’s No. 33 Chevrolet, driven by Paul Menard. Rheem is also the primary sponsor of the No. 33 Chevrolet Silverado of Eddie Sharp Racing (ESR) driven by Cale Gale that competes in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series® in 2012.

About Young Survival Coalition (YSC)
Established in 1998, Young Survival Coalition (YSC) was the first nonprofit organization to focus exclusively on the unique needs of young women affected by breast cancer. Founded by young survivors for young survivors, YSC began as a grassroots organization to advocate on behalf of all young women diagnosed with breast cancer to increase their quality and quantity of life. Based in New York, with affiliates nationwide, YSC today provides comprehensive resources, support and education to address every phase of a young woman’s breast cancer experience. YSC produces resources and educational materials such as its ResourceLink program, Newly Diagnosed Resource Kit (NDRK), Metastatic Navigator and is well known for its three national Tour de Pink rides. It also co-presents the C4YW - Annual Conference for Young Women Affected by Breast Cancer. For more information or to make a donation, please visit: www.youngsurvival.org.

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