BMW & Breast Cancer Foundation Celebrate 4th Year of the Ultimate Drive
21 May 2000
BMW and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Celebrate the Kick-Off of the Fourth Year of the Ultimate Drive Over $3 Million Already Raised for the Fight Against Breast Cancer Through
BMW Test Drives Across America
New 'The Ultimate Child Safety Seat Clinic' Enhances Program
WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. - Amidst cheers from a sea of flag-waving onlookers --
many of them breast cancer survivors and their families and friends -- a fleet
of gleaming BMWs simultaneously gunned their powerful engines, revving up for
the kick-off of the fourth year of BMW's Ultimate Drive for the Susan G. Komen
Breast Cancer Foundation. As the special starter flag was lowered, the
silver-checkered BMWs shot forward from their starting places, inaugurating a
new chapter in what has quickly become one of the most successful grassroots
fundraising efforts ever.
The Ultimate Drive, a unique partnership between BMW of North America
and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, has already raised over
$3 million by putting people behind the wheel of a BMW for a test drive in
over 200 towns and cities across America. The Ultimate Drive hopes to raise
an additional $1 million this year, and enthusiasm is already running high
among thousands of drivers in the cities the BMWs are scheduled to visit.
From May through November, two fleets of specially-marked BMWs will drive
across America, making pit-stops in approximately 200 cities nationwide. Each
city and town will host a day-long fundraising event where participants can
test drive a BMW. For every mile test-driven, BMW will donate $1 to the Komen
Foundation. Over the past three years, the Ultimate Drive has attracted more
than 100,000 participants.
In addition, a local "Hero" will be recognized in every community included
in the Ultimate Drive, to acknowledge their outstanding efforts in the fight
against breast cancer. A photograph of each hero will be affixed to a
specially marked BMW "Signature" Vehicle, which will also be signed by
thousands of Ultimate Drive participants. This "Signature" Vehicle will
become a mobile embodiment of the committed individuals who are making a
difference in the fight against this deadly disease. Some markets may add
other elements -- for example, at the New York kick-off, BMW sponsored a
mobile mammography unit and gave free mammograms to women throughout the day.
This year, the Signature Vehicle in each fleet will be a specially-designed X5
-- the world's first Sports Activity Vehicle. These X5swill each have a
full-color topography map of the United States covering their exteriors --
highlighting roads across the country in deserts, farmlands and forests. The
motif was chosen to visually underscore the philosophy that BMW will go
anywhere in their drive to find a cure for breast cancer.
This year, BMW has also added a new element -- The Ultimate Child
Safety Seat Clinic - a hands-on safety program geared toward parents, and
co-sponsored by Britax, the world's largest manufacturer of child safety
seats. As part of the clinic, Child Passenger Safety Technicians trained by a
certified instructor from the Division of Highway Traffic Safety, will travel
with the Ultimate Drive fleets, providing one-on-one demonstrations on
installing child safety seats to about 14,000 drivers across the country. The
Technicians will then oversee the participants install a seat in their own
car -- whether or not it is a BMW.
"The Ultimate Drive has shown that people across the country are literally
'driven' to eradicate breast cancer," said Tom Purves, CEO of BMW North
America. "The Ultimate Drive proves just how strong the effect can be when
communities, through awareness, mobilize around a cause. Each year, we're
accelerating in the battle against this terrible disease. And this year, we
have added a new dimension with The Ultimate Child Safety Seat Clinic, in
which we will show parents how to install child safety seats, a program BMW is
proud to incorporate into the Ultimate Drive. "
"The Ultimate Drive has put consumers in the driver's seat and shown them
that every individual can have a tremendous impact in the fight against breast
cancer," said Nancy Brinker, founding chair of the Komen Foundation. "There's
a finish line to each year's Ultimate Drive, but the finish line we're aiming
for is a cure for breast cancer, and we'll keep driving until we get one. We
at the Komen Foundation are so pleased to be teaming up with BMW for a fourth
year in this important battle."
"Britax is honored to partner with BMW, a proven leader in safety and
technology, on the Ultimate Child Safety Seat Clinic. When you consider that
only 20 percent of child safety seats are installed correctly in a vehicle, it
becomes increasingly apparent that instruction on installation is critical.
The Ultimate Drive is the perfect venue for educating the public about child
safety seat installation," remarked Tom Baloga, President of Britax Child
Safety, Inc./U.S. "This event is in line with our mission to provide the
safest environment for our children," added Baloga.
The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation was established in 1982 by
Nancy Brinker to honor the memory of her sister, Susan G. Komen, who died from
breast cancer at the age of 36. The Foundation is an international
organization with a powerful network of volunteers working to eradicate breast
cancer as a life-threatening disease by advancing research, education,
screening and treatment.
The Foundation is the nation's largest private funder of breast cancer
research and community programs. In addition to funding research, the Komen
Foundation funds innovative breast cancer education, screening and treatment
projects for the medically underserved. Hundreds of thousands of women and
men receive the life-saving message of early detection through Komen's
outreach efforts.
For more information, call the Komen Foundation's toll-free Breast-Care
Helpline at 800-I'M-AWARE, or visit http://www.breastcancerinfo.com.
Started in the U.S. in 1996, Britax Child Safety, Inc. draws from over
30 years of experience in making child seats in Europe and Australia. Britax's
commitment to research and development and involvement in global
standardization works to elevate safety standards and serve customers in all
markets.
BMW IN AMERICA
BMW entered the U.S. market in 1975. Since then, the company has grown to
include marketing, sales and financial service organizations in the United
States; a South Carolina manufacturing operation; a design firm in California;
a technology office in Palo Alto and various other operations throughout
the country. BMW is represented in the U.S. through a network of more than
340 car, 300 Sports Activity Vehicle and 160 motorcycle retailers. BMW US
Holding Corp., the Group's headquarters for North, Central and South America,
is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.
