M&M'S(R) Brand Chocolate Candies Lends Sweet Support to Susan G. Komen for the Cure in Fight Against Breast Cancer

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J., Sept. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- M&M'S(R) Brand Chocolate Candies is offering consumers the opportunity to go pink during Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October to commemorate Susan G. Komen for the Cure's 25th year in the fight against this deadly disease. From the popular pink M&M'S, to MY M&M'S(R) special "Promise Blend" to the M&M'S(R) sponsored NASCAR race team, M&M'S(R) is raising awareness in the fight against breast cancer via multiple product offerings. The brand will also make a minimum guaranteed contribution of $550,000 in support of Komen for the Cure's promise to save lives and end breast cancer forever.

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"At Mars Snackfood US, we applaud Susan G. Komen for the Cure's 25-year history of saving lives, empowering survivors and activists, and supporting science in finding a cure for breast cancer," said Michele Kessler, vice president, Mars Snackfood US. "We are pleased to support such an important organization that has played a critical role in every major advance in the fight against this deadly disease."

Multiple Offerings

M&M'S(R) brand products, merchandise and activities in support of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure include:

-- MY M&M'S(R) will donate 10 percent of the sales of its "Promise Blend" to support the cause. The pink and white M&M'S(R) Milk Chocolate Candies, available at http://www.mymms.com/sgk, are pre-printed with the new Susan G. Komen for the Cure "Moving Ribbon" logo and a "for the CURE" message. Consumers also can express their emotions and feelings by creating their own personalized messages of support for friends, family and loved ones. -- Limited-edition dark- and light- pink M&M'S(R) Milk Chocolate and M&M'S(R) Peanut Milk Chocolate Candies will be sold nationwide in stores in September and October. Both varieties are available in 14- ounce and 21.3-ounce bags. -- The M&M'S(R) NASCAR racing team is lending its support on the track by painting its #38 race car with pink M&M'S(R) Brand chocolate candies and the Susan G. Komen for the Cure logo. NASCAR driver David Gilliland will hit the track with the pink car during the Bank of America 500 race on October 13 at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte, N.C. Additionally, from October 11-13 MY M&M'S(R) will host a computerized kiosk at the Speedway where NASCAR visitors can order the Promise Blend in support of finding the cures. -- M&M'S World(R) stores are also getting in on the action, donating 10 percent of Pink Ribbon merchandise sold in-store in 2007 to the world's largest breast cancer organization. M&M'S World(R) stores are located in New York, Las Vegas and Orlando, Fla.

M&M'S(R) Expands Its Commitment to the Cause

The brand has been committed to the cause since 2003, raising more than $3 million to help find the cures for breast cancer. The MY M&M'S(R) Promise Blend, a new product launch this year, extends the ongoing partnership between M&M'S(R) Brand Chocolate Candies and Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

"For the past 25 years, Susan G. Komen for the Cure has been on a mission to end breast cancer," said Katrina McGhee, vice president of marketing with Susan G. Komen for the Cure. "With customized and limited-edition candies, pink ribbon merchandise and the NASCAR pink race car, M&M'S(R) Brand Candies provides fun and innovative ways for people to engage in and support the breast cancer movement."

Ordering MY M&M'S Promise Blend

MY M&M'S(R) Promise Blend can be ordered online at http://www.mymms.com/sgk or by calling 888-696-6788 (MY M&M'S). They are available in either 7-ounce bags (minimum order: 4 bags) or 1.75-ounce gift favor bags tied with pink ribbons (minimum order: 20 bags), priced at $11.99 per bag and $3.75 per bag, respectively. It's a simple way to help create a world without breast cancer.

About MY M&M'S(R):

MY M&M'S(R) is an extension of M&M'S(R) Chocolate Candies, which is owned by Mars, Incorporated, one of the world's leading food manufacturers. The personalized printing option officially launched in 2005, with new colors and new uses for MY M&M'S(R) ahead in the near future. MY M&M'S(R) are available in 22 different colors. 17 colors can be customized with personal message in a variety of fonts. MY M&M'S(R) can be ordered online at http://www.mymms.com (click on the "Business" tab to order MY M&M'S in bulk) or by calling 888-696-6788 (MY M&M'S). Custom printed MY M&M'S(R) is $11.99 per 7-ounce bag (minimum order: 4 bags). Favors are also available.

About M&M'S(R), America's Favorite Candy:

M&M'S(R), America's favorite candy, has been producing colourful chocolate fun for Americans since 1941. There are more than eight permanent varieties of M&M'S(R) Chocolate Candies, and then Seasonal Candies made for special occasions including Easter, Holiday, Halloween and Valentine's Day. Customers seem to be most passionate about the color found in each bag of M&M'S(R) Chocolate Candies. Existing product lines includes: M&M'S(R) Milk Chocolate Candies, M&M'S(R) Dark Chocolate Candies, M&M'S(R) Peanut Chocolate Candies, M&M'S(R) Dark Chocolate Peanut Candies, M&M'S(R) Almond Chocolate Candies, M&M'S(R) Peanut Butter Chocolate Candies, M&M'(R) Chocolate Mini Baking Bits, MY M&M'S(R) Milk Chocolate Candies and M&M'S(R) MINIS(R) Milk Chocolate Candies. Please visit mms.com.

About Mars US:

Mars US is the United States food, snack and pet care operations of Mars, Incorporated, one of the world's leading food manufacturers. With more than $7 billion in annual sales in the U.S., the combined food, snack and pet care segments are a symbol of excellence for quality brands. Headquartered in Hackettstown, New Jersey, Mars US employs more than 9,000 associates in the United States, with 54 facilities nationwide. The company owns some of the world's favorite brands, including M&M'S(R) Brand, SNICKERS(R) Brand, UNCLE BEN'S(R) Brand, PEDIGREE(R) Brand Food for Dogs, and WHISKAS(R) Brand Food for Cats.

About Susan G. Komen for the Cure:

Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure and launched the global breast cancer movement. Today, Komen for the Cure is the world's largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. Thanks to events like the Komen Race for the Cure, we have invested nearly $1 billion to fulfill our promise, becoming the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world. For more information about Susan G. Komen for the Cure, breast health or breast cancer, visit http://www.komen.org or call 1-800 I'M AWARE.