Susan G. Komen for the Cure(R)'s Circle of Promise Welcomes Gabrielle Union, Lalah Hathaway, Synthia SAINT JAMES as National Ambassadors

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A F SIMPLYSMART LOGO SIMPLYSMART LOGO New food storage and preservation brand combining simple function, with smart and contemporary flair. (PRNewsFoto/SimplySmart)[TK] CHICAGO, IL UNITED STATES 03/13/2006

    DALLAS, May 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Susan G. Komen for the Cure(R)'s Circle
 of Promise today announced that three of today's prominent African-American
 leaders -- each with different backgrounds and personal stories -- have
 united behind a cause that is empowering people around the globe to help
 end breast cancer forever. The strength of a community is built on the
 incredible resilience of its mothers, wives, and grandmothers. Circle of
 Promise is nationally represented by several prominent African-American
 women. Not only are these women accomplished individuals, but they are
 passionate about empowering their communities to help end breast cancer
 forever.
 
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     "Susan G. Komen for the Cure's Circle of Promise campaign believes that
 every strong woman needs to have a strong support system," said Katrina
 McGhee, vice president of marketing for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. "The
 advocates and ambassadors within Circle of Promise are that support system
 for the African-American community in the fight against breast cancer."
 
     Gabrielle Union
 
     One of Hollywood's leading African-American actresses, Gabrielle Union
 has secured starring roles, crossed racial lines, and is helping to pave
 the way for others. Her decision to partner with Circle of Promise comes
 from a passion that is very close to her heart.
 
     "The fight against breast cancer is very personal for me. I have been
 touched by this disease as I watched girlfriends deal with their breast
 health concerns," said Union. "Being part of their fight inspired me to
 raise my voice and become an ambassador to help other women. Black women
 face unique issues when it comes to breast cancer -- it's important to know
 the facts. We're our own best health advocates."
 
     Union has two upcoming movies, "Meet Dave" co-starring Eddie Murphy,
 and "Cadillac Records" co-starring Beyonce Knowles.
 
     Lalah Hathaway
 
     The daughter of Donny Hathaway, one of the most influential soul
 artists of the 1970s, Lalah Hathaway is respected in her own right. She has
 developed a reputation as an artist with a unique and timeless sound, and
 as a gifted lyricist, who is emotionally in tune with women from all
 backgrounds.
 
     "The rate of Black women and girls diagnosed with breast cancer is
 rising at an alarming rate," said Hathaway. "We are fighting a common
 enemy. Knowledge and having a take-charge mindset and attitude are critical
 weapons in the fight against this deadly disease. I became active because I
 want to be an ambassador of change. If I tell seven of my friends and they
 tell seven of their friends and so on, the circle will continue to expand
 and we'll create a chorus of voices within the African-American community
 to eradicate breast cancer. I truly believe that this is a goal we can
 achieve together."
 
     Hathaway's 4th solo album, "Self Portrait," will be released June 3rd
 on the Stax Records/Concord Music Group label.
 
     Synthia SAINT JAMES
 
     Synthia SAINT JAMES is a multiple award winning artist, architectural
 designer, speaker, author and songwriter and now a Circle of Promise
 ambassador. She has gained international recognition for her work. She
 travels the world, inspiring people through speaking engagements,
 exhibitions, and unveilings.
 
     "I am pledging to tell everyone I can to sign up for Circle of Promise
 and I plan to use the opportunities afforded me to raise awareness and
 money for this cause. By working with Susan G. Komen for the Cure, I am
 joining millions of survivors and activists around the globe in raising our
 voices against this disease."
 
     SAINT JAMES' latest achievement is a signature painting for the Circle
 of Promise campaign. It will be unveiled at a private luncheon hosted by
 The Links, Incorporated, in Washington, D.C. on June 6. The luncheon will
 include many Circle of Promise ambassadors, corporate partners and
 advocates.
 
     Circle of Promise ambassadors help spread the message that more
 African-American women are likely to die from breast cancer than any other
 race despite being the least likely to be diagnosed with the disease. These
 ambassadors work nationally and within their communities to urge others
 within the African-American community to reclaim their health and register
 at circleofpromise.org. Everyone can help to rewrite the story on African
 Americans and breast cancer by making a promise to practice breast self
 awareness, getting involved through Circle of Promise, and telling friends
 to join Circle of Promise.
 
     Komen for the Cure celebrates the 25th anniversary of its Susan G.
 Komen Race for the Cure(R) Series, the largest series of 5K runs/fitness in
 the world, in Washington, D.C. on June 7. Local ambassadors, advocates and
 breast cancer survivors will come together to help raise funds for
 research, education, screening and treatment.
 
     Launched in October 2007, the Circle of Promise
 (http://www.circleofpromise.org) campaign was created by Susan G. Komen for
 the Cure to educate, empower and mobilize the African-American community in
 the fight against breast cancer. Through this effort, Komen hopes to
 rewrite the story on African Americans and breast cancer by decreasing the
 African American mortality rate, which is 18 percent higher than for
 Caucasian women. Susan G. Komen for the Cure's Circle of Promise has joined
 forces with ESSENCE Magazine, Ford Motor Company and The Links,
 Incorporated to recruit 100,000 African-American women to join Circle of
 Promise and serve as local ambassadors within their communities.
 
     About Susan G. Komen for the Cure(R)
 
     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 Susan G. Komen Race
 for the Cure(R), we have invested more than $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 1-877 GO KOMEN.
 
 
 

SOURCE Susan G. Komen for the Cure