Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute Partners to Pink Out the Park

The Detroit Tigers will continue its tradition of uniting our community to encourage breast health awareness at the eighth annual Pink Out the Park on Friday, July 19, when the Tigers face the Toronto Blue Jays at Comerica Park. A special pre-game ceremony honoring survivors will take place at 6:30 p.m., followed by the game at 7:10 p.m. This special partnership with Kroger and the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, along with media sponsors FOX Sports Detroit and Entercom Radio Detroit – WWJ Newsradio 950, 97.1 The Ticket, 98.7 The Breeze, 99.5 WYCD and 104.3 WOMC – raises awareness of breast health, honors and remembers those whose lives have been changed by breast cancer, and helps raise funds for breast cancer research.

“Pink Out The Park stands for a such significant cause and we are proud to continue working with a such wonderful and caring partner in the Karmanos Cancer Institute,” said Chris Granger, group president, Sports and Entertainment, Ilitch Holdings. “Bringing fans, coaches and players together to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer research is important to all of us with the Detroit Tigers, and we are honored to host this meaningful event at Comerica Park.”

The first 10,000 fans will receive a pink Tigers visor, courtesy of Kroger.

“Kroger is proud to continue its partnership with the Detroit Tigers and Pink Out the Park,” said Rachel Hurst, corporate affairs manager for Kroger. “No one should ever feel alone in the fight against cancer. We are all in this together, so let’s honor those we have lost, and support those that are fighting and continuing to survive.”

Activities will raise awareness of breast health throughout the game, including the special pre-game ceremony that will involve more than 350 breast cancer survivors on the field; ceremonial first pitches by three breast cancer survivors; in-game awareness promotions; and an inspiring ballpark tribute by Tigers fans holding up Pink Out the Park cheer cards during one of the innings. In addition, select in-park merchandise sales will benefit breast cancer research at Karmanos Cancer Institute.

Pink Out the Park ticket packages at various prices are available now at www.tigers.com/pinkout and will include a Detroit Tigers pink fanny pack and a $5 donation to support breast cancer research at Karmanos.

“Pink Out the Park continues to be a wonderful, family-friendly event and one that inspires our community to make a difference,” said Gerold Bepler, M.D., Ph.D., president and chief executive officer, Karmanos Cancer Institute.

“Thanks to the outstanding generosity of the Detroit Tigers, Kroger, media sponsors FOX Sports Detroit and Entercom Radio Detroit, and the wonderful fans, Pink Out the Park donations have resulted in more than $121,000 over the past seven years to support breast cancer research at Karmanos.”

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women in the United States. According to the American Cancer Society, it’s estimated that 9,310 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in women in Michigan this year alone.

“This disease has no boundaries; it can impact younger and older women, women of all cultural and economic backgrounds, and even men can get breast cancer,” said Katrina Studvent, chief development officer at Karmanos Cancer Institute.

“As a 13-year breast cancer survivor who has attended Pink Out the Park for many years, seeing Comerica Park filled with fans wearing pink, supporting all those impacted by breast cancer while helping to raise awareness and funds to support research, is a welcoming motivator for all of us to encourage women to get screened.

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