Phil Winslow BMW celebrates 10th anniversary of The Ultimate Drive

Already the talk of the town, BMW’s 10th Annual Ultimate Drive Program for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation is scheduled to drive through Colorado Springs this August. The program celebrates a decade of fundraising with BMW of North America and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Expanding the route even further than previous years, this year’s Drive will make a stop in Alaska for the first time since its inception.

The event will travel to Phil Winslow BMW, 730 N Circle Dr, Colorado Springs on Aug 23 from 10 am – 6 pm. Two fleets of specially-badged BMWs, decorated with pink ribbons and the phrase “10 years, 10 million miles, 10 million dollars,” head out on the million-mile cross country trek that will raise over $1 million, bringing the grand total to $10 million for the partnership. The money raised directly supports breast cancer research, education, screening, and community outreach programs provided by the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, the nation’s largest fundraiser for breast cancer research.

“I am proud to announce that after 10 years of the Ultimate Drive, BMW will have donated over $10 million to the Susan G. Komen Foundation,” said Tom Purves, Chairman and CEO, BMW (US) Holding Corp. “Thanks to new developments in research and screening techniques, breast cancer patients have over a 95 percent survival rate if the disease is caught early. The road ahead looks promising.”

The Ultimate Drive is a grass roots program that gives community members the opportunity to get involved in the fight against breast cancer. Developed by BMW in partnership with the Komen Foundation, two fleets of specially designed BMWs crisscross the country visiting participating BMW retail centers. For every mile driven during the Ultimate Drive Event, $1 is donated to the Komen Foundation. The drive will continue through October 2006, inviting consumers to get behind the wheel and help contribute to the fight against breast cancer.

Upon completion of the drive, each participant adds his or her own name to the Signature Vehicle – this year, a BMW 3-series – which becomes a living memorial to those who have lost their battle against breast cancer and a sign of hope and inspiration to others fighting the disease.

“This year is especially meaningful, as the Komen Foundation celebrates 10 years of partnership with BMW,” said Cindy Schneible, Vice President of Cause-Marketing and Sponsorships for the Komen Foundation. “The Ultimate Drive has helped fund essential research and crucial services for patients, survivors, and their families over the past nine years.”.

The Ultimate Drive Program
The Ultimate Drive Program is a driving program created by BMW to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research and community outreach programs. The general public is invited to drive the fleet of BMWs at participating Retail Centers during an Ultimate Drive event. For each mile driven in one of the BMW Ultimate Drive vehicles, $1 is donated to the Komen Foundation to support breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment programs. The program consists of a 19-car Eastern and a 19-car Western fleet of Titanium Silver BMWs each led by a Signature Car – a 2006 BMW 3-Series. The Signature Vehicles are painted, as are the fleet cars, in shimmering Titanium Silver with swirls of pink ribbons.

As in years past, there will be an award presentation at each event honoring a “Local Hero” – a community resident who has made an outstanding personal effort in the fight against breast cancer. A photograph of each hero will be affixed to one of the two BMW 3-Series Signature Vehicles.

There is no purchase necessary to drive the vehicles in the BMW Ultimate Drive, and all proceeds from the test drives are donated directly to the Komen Foundation. All administrative costs of the Ultimate Drive Program are underwritten by BMW separately and apart from the funds raised for this program.

About the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
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. Today, the Foundation is an international organization with a network of more than 75,000 volunteers working through local Affiliates and events like the Ultimate Drive to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease. A global leader in the fight against breast cancer, the Foundation fulfills its mission through support of innovative breast cancer research grants, meritorious awards and educational, scientific and community outreach programs around the world. Through fiscal year 2005, the Komen Foundation, together with its Affiliate Network, corporate partners and generous donors, has invested $630 million in breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment programs.

For more information about breast health or breast cancer, visit the Foundation’s Web site at www.komen.org or call the foundation’s National Toll Free Breast Care Helpline at 1 (800) I’M AWARE®/ 1 (800) 462-9273.

 

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