Y-ME Makes Historic Announcement on Mother's Day

CHICAGO, May 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Thousands of people honoring Mother's Day in 15 cities across the country were present for the unveiling of the new name and logo of the nation's oldest non-profit breast cancer organization

This year, Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization(TM) commemorates its 30th anniversary. In celebration of this landmark, Y-ME revealed its new name, Breast Cancer Network of Strength, and logo* on Mother's Day.

The organization's mission -- to ensure through information, empowerment and peer support, that no one faces breast cancer alone -- will not change.

"The goal of our re-branding is to better communicate our mission," says Breast Cancer Network of Strength CEO Margaret C. Kirk. "We want to encourage more people touched by breast cancer to take part in programs and services and truly experience the power of peer support and the immediate emotional relief it provides."

Breast Cancer Network of Strength's logo quickly communicates breast cancer by using a stylized pink ribbon. The four figures are each a different color to visually express that breast cancer does not discriminate and that Breast Cancer Network of Strength is here for anyone touched by breast cancer -- men and women; families and friends; and people of all backgrounds. The figures connect with each other to demonstrate support through a network.

Y-ME's Mother's Day tradition started in Chicago 17 years ago with the Race to Empower. The event features a one- or three-mile walk, or a 5K run. Today, Walk to Empower events have expanded to 14 other cities across the country including Atlanta, Cleveland, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Haven, Phoenix, Sacramento, San Diego, Seattle, Springfield, Ill., Tulsa and Washington D.C.

Funds raised benefit programs and services offered free of charge to anyone seeking information and support when facing breast cancer.

This year in the United States, it is estimated that more than 180,000 people will be diagnosed with breast cancer. There are more than two million women in this country who are living with a breast cancer diagnosis.

"It's amazing to see the energy that has been built over the past 30 years," says Margaret Harte, founder of the Y-ME Race and two-time breast cancer survivor. "It's important that people who want to be proactive in the face of breast cancer -- not just patients but men, children and family and friends -- have somewhere to go to express their passions and feelings on Mother's Day."

Helping the organization meet its goal of raising $9 million this year are national presenting sponsors McDonald's and sanofi-aventis; and national official sponsors Grant Thornton, Pfizer Oncology and United Airlines.

About Y-ME/Breast Cancer Network of Strength

Breast Cancer Network of Strength(TM), formerly known as Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization(R), provides immediate emotional relief to anyone affected by breast cancer.

YourShoes(TM) is Breast Cancer Network of Strength's peer support program that includes a 24/7 breast cancer support center staffed by trained breast cancer survivors providing peer support through a toll-free hotline, e-mail and support groups.

Breast Cancer Network of Strength raises money to fund YourShoes, outreach programs, breast health awareness workshops, wigs and prostheses banks for women with limited resources, and advocacy on breast cancer related policies.

Breast Cancer Network of Strength is a 501(c)(3) organization and meets the National Health Council's 41 Standards of Excellence in governance, fundraising, accounting and reporting, and evaluation. Charity Navigator, an independent evaluator of nonprofits, gives the organization its highest rating of four stars for sound fiscal management.

For more information about Breast Cancer Network of Strength, visit http://www.networkofstrength.org. Peer counselors can be contacted at 1-800-221-2141, with interpreters available in more than 150 languages.