Save Lids To Save Lives® Joins Forces With E! News Anchor And Breast Cancer Survivor Giuliana Rancic

MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Many of us know someone who has been affected by breast cancer, yet we don't always know the best way to help.  Today, the Save Lids to Save Lives program announced a partnership with breast cancer survivor, passionate advocate and E! News Anchor, Giuliana Rancic.  Together, Save Lids to Save Lives and Rancic hope to empower people to join the fight against breast cancer, highlighting how small actions can make a big impact. Save Lids to Save Lives provides an easy way to support breast cancer outreach programs in local communities.

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"As a woman personally affected by the disease, this is a cause very close to my heart," said Giuliana Rancic.  "Being a busy mom, I know life can be hectic, but we can all find the time to show our support through simple actions – like redeeming pink lids and committing to our own personal pledges – that will motivate others to take action too."  Rancic added, "You don't need to be a survivor or know someone who has been affected to get involved.  With the Save Lids to Save Lives program, we can take small steps together to make a positive change."

Save Lids to Save Lives triggers donations for the breast cancer cause, one lid at a time.  The program makes it easy for people to support the cause by featuring more than 25 General Mills brands, including Yoplait, Cheerios, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Nature Valley, Green Giant, Betty Crocker and Pillsbury.  Starting in September, people can clip, collect and mail in together the pink lids found on participating products.  Specially marked Save Lids to Save Lives Yoplait packaging will also include online codes that can be entered at SaveLidstoSaveLives.com through June 30, 2014.  General Mills will donate 10 cents to Susan G. Komen®, up to a maximum total donation of $1.5 million based on lids submitted, codes entered from select Yoplait products and consumer response to additional special offers for triggering donations found on SaveLidstoSaveLives.com.  Amounts donated through the special offers count toward the maximum total donation, but each special offer is also subject to its own maximum donation and specific redemption period.  See the special offer for details.

By including their zip codes with their lid submission, people can ensure their donation benefits breast cancer outreach programs in their local communities via Susan G. Komen's network of 120 local Affiliates.  These Affiliates fund community-based breast health education and breast cancer screening and treatment programs throughout the United States.  

Rancic will also encourage people to participate in Pledge Your Part, a new online initiative designed to empower them to make a pledge to help fight breast cancer, whether through saving lids, participating in a breast cancer awareness event or in any way they choose.  People can go to SaveLidstoSaveLives.com or the Save Lids to Save Lives Facebook page at Facebook.com/SaveLidstoSaveLives, to customize a pledge - and share it via their social networks. They can also encourage others in their social networks to join the fight and help make an even greater impact.  Rancic has pledged her support to the Save Lids to Save Lives program, and her personal pledge will be featured on select Save Lids to Save Lives products starting in September.  She will also spread the word about the program and pledge through her own social networks.

"For 15 years, we have remained committed to the fight against breast cancer, donating more than $50 million dollars to the cause through our Save Lids to Save Lives program and other initiatives," says Cheryl Welch, director, Save Lids to Save Lives, General Mills.  "Currently, one in eight women living in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.* Since there is no cure for breast cancer, much more needs to be done in the fight against this disease. Through Save Lids to Save Lives, it is our hope that others will see that by simply making a pledge or saving lids, they can make a big difference."

A complete list of participating brands and more ways you can join Save Lids to Save Lives in the fight against breast cancer can be found at SaveLidstoSaveLives.com.

*Source: American Cancer Society, 2011-2012

About General Mills

General Mills is one of the world's leading food companies, operating in more than 100 countries around the world. Its brands include Cheerios, Fiber One, Haagen-Dazs, Nature Valley, Yoplait, Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Green Giant, Old El Paso, Wanchai Ferry, Yoki, and more. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn., USA, General Mills had fiscal 2013 worldwide sales of US $17.8 billion.

SOURCE General Mills