FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 11, 2001
For more information, contact
Loretta Harper-Arnold, Community Relations Director 919-821-8652
WRAL-TV5 Takes A Stand Against Breast Cancer
RALEIGH, N.C. – On Tuesday, May 15th, WRAL-TV launches a six-month “Fight Breast Cancer” campaign to increase public awareness, educate viewers about the importance of early detection, and promote community-wide efforts that raise dollars for research. In partnership with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina and Rex Healthcare, WRAL’s “Fight Breast Cancer” campaign consists of news stories, public service announcements, monthly reminders from WRAL.com and local fundraising events to spread the word about the dangers of this life-threatening disease.
WRAL’s 11pm news starts the campaign with two powerful stories of fighting breast cancer from the husband’s perspective. On May 18th during the 6pm news, meet June Varnedoe, a Fayetteville cancer survivor reaching out to other Cumberland County women battling breast cancer. News stories continue throughout the month of May, culminating with a special edition of WRAL’s public affairs program “30 Minutes” on Sunday, May 20th at 8:30am. The program will focus on breast cancer-related issues.
Since early detection plays a key role in curing breast cancer, WRAL.com will offer reminders on the 5th of every month to remind women to perform monthly breast self exams. Visitors to the website can register to receive personal monthly reminders. WRAL will also broadcast ongoing public service announcements and sponsored vignettes to promote community events, remind women to have routine screenings and tests, and celebrate survivorship.
“Because breast cancer poses such a serious health threat to women in our community, the station feels a special responsibility for increasing awareness and promoting the importance of early detection in our fight against breast cancer,” said Jim Griffin, WRAL-TV station manager. “Our campaign is about educating women and supporting community fundraising efforts for breast cancer research to help eradicate this life-threatening disease.”
WRAL’s commitment to fight breast cancer continues off-air as the station partners with the American Cancer Society’s “Making Strides” event and NC Triangle Race for the Cure (an affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation) to help raise dollars for breast cancer research. “As our affiliate has grown so has our collaboration with the community in fighting breast cancer. For the last two years as a sponsor of the Komen NC Triangle Race for the Cure, WRAL-TV has been an essential partner in our growth and in getting the message out to the community about the importance of participating in the race and helping us to save women’s lives in eastern North Carolina,” said Diane LaGrasse, co-chair of Komen NC Triangle Race for the Cure.
Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc. is a diversified communications company which owns and/or operates WRAL-TV, WRAL-Digital, WRAL-FM, Microspace, the North Carolina News Network, DTV Plus, Wolfpack Sports Marketing, and Capitol Sports Management in Raleigh, NC; WJZY-TV and WFVT-TV in Charlotte, NC; WILM-TV in Wilmington, NC; WRAZ-TV and the Durham Bulls Baseball Club in Durham, NC; and the Myrtle Beach Pelicans Baseball Club in Myrtle Beach, SC; Capitol Broadcasting Company also founded Local TV on Satellite in Raleigh, NC.
