Wilson Nears $1 Million in Donations to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation
Wilson’s Hope Line of Tennis and Golf Equipment Continues to ExpandFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Melanie McGeough
8700 W. Bryn Mawr
Chicago,
773-714-6703
MMcGeough@wilson.com
10/21/05 - Chicago--October is recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but Wilson Sporting Goods has been working yearlong to raise funds for the cause as the Official Sporting Goods Equipment Sponsor of The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF). Since 1998, Wilson Sporting Goods has donated nearly $1 million to the BCRF with proceeds from their Hope line of tennis and golf equipment. Beginning this month, Wilson is adding the new W line of high-performance tennis rackets for women to the Hope cause, with a donation made for each purchase.
“Wilson's relationship with The Breast Cancer Research Foundation has been instrumental in our efforts towards raising research funds that will lead to prevention and a cure for breast cancer in our lifetime,” Robbie Finke, Director of Marketing and Corporate Sponsorships for the BCRF, said. “Wilson's dedication is demonstrated not only by their continued commitment but by the scope of products they created for the Hope line specifically to raise funds and awareness about The Breast Cancer Research Foundation."
Hope is a Wilson sub-brand of recreational tennis and golf equipment that is specifically tailored to suit a woman’s game. For each item sold, Wilson donates a portion of the proceeds to the BCRF, guaranteeing a minimum of a $150,000 annually. The BCRF partnership began with the creation of a woman’s tennis shoe, and has evolved into an entire line of Hope equipment including more than 20 tennis and golf items such as a ten-club golf set and bag (MSRP $169.99), driver ($79.99), tennis racket ($29.99), tennis bags and backpacks ($29.99-59.99), tennis balls ($2.49) and more.
Features specific to women include oversize irons on the Hope golf set that are perimeter weighted to increase the sweet spot, along with a lightweight golf bag that is easy to carry. The Hope tennis racket has a large 110” headsize with soft shock grip and a Hope logo string dampener for reduced vibration. All Hope items feature the BCRF pink ribbon and packaging on select products includes information on how to prevent breast cancer.
“HOPE is more than just a pink ribbon on women's sporting goods, it's a brand that represents Wilson's commitment to breast cancer research and female athletes," Rick Kerpsack, Vice President of Sales for Wilson Golf and Racquet Sports, said.
The W line by Wilson is a new line of high-performance rackets engineered specifically for women. W combines Wilson’s industry-leading nCode technology with a new racket construction and distinct cosmetics in a series of nine rackets that hit retailers later this month (MSRP $199.99-269.99). Although not part of the Hope line, for each W racket purchased, an additional donation will be made to the BCRF.
The Hope line can be found at Target, Wal-Mart, The Sports Authority, Big 5, Sports Chalet, Academy Sports, Modell’s and Dick’s Sporting Goods stores nationwide and in select pro shops and sporting goods stores. Later this month, the W line will be available at select tennis retailers.
Wilson Racquet Sports is a division of Chicago-based Wilson Sporting Goods, one of the world's leading manufacturers of sports equipment and owned by Amer Sports. Wilson designs, manufactures and distributes sporting goods throughout the world and focuses on making technologically advanced products which help all players play better. Wilson's core sport categories include: Football, Basketball, Baseball, Volleyball, Soccer, Youth Sports, Uniforms/Apparel, Golf, Footwear and Racquet Sports (Tennis, Racquetball, Squash, Badminton and Platform Tennis). For more information, visit www.wilson.com.
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation was founded in 1993 by Evelyn H. Lauder as an independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to funding innovative clinical and genetic research. The Foundation supports scientists at leading medical centers worldwide whose research is focused on achieving prevention and a cure for breast cancer in our lifetime. A minimum of 85 cents of each dollar donated to the Foundation goes directly to breast cancer research and awareness programs. Over $18 million was awarded to the 2004-2005 grantees - 97 researchers across the U.S. and in Belgium, Canada, France, Israel, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Money magazine named BCRF one of America's eight top charities and the Foundation continues to receive the highest ratings from Charity Navigator, four stars, and the American Institute of Philanthropy, an "A." For more information, visit bcrfcure.org or call 1.866.FIND.A.CURE.
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Links:
www.wilsontennis.com
