Churchill Downs, Derby Divas and Norton Cancer Institute Continue Oaks Partnership To Support Local Women's Breast Health Program

Feb 20, 2018

Nominations Open at Noon For 144 Breast Cancer Survivors to Walk in 2018 Kentucky Oaks Survivors Parade presented by Kroger

LOUISVILLE, KY (Tuesday, February 20, 2018) – Churchill Downs, Derby Divas and Norton Cancer Institute today announced that they will partner again this year to raise funds during the Kentucky Oaks to help provide care to local women who lack access to breast health screenings and services. To celebrate the continuation of the partnership, Churchill Downs, Derby Divas and Norton Cancer Institute opened the online nomination process to select 144 breast and ovarian cancer survivors to participate in the Survivors Parade at the 144^th Longines Kentucky Oaks. To nominate and select survivors, visit www.kentuckyderby.com/survivors starting at noon on Tuesday, February 20th. Nominations are open until 11:59 p.m. on March 18. The public can also donate online to Norton Cancer Institute from Tuesday, February 20 -- Sunday, May 6 at www.kentuckyderby.com/survivors. 

The partnership, which began in 2017, and Survivors Parade are the centerpieces of the Oaks Day Pink Out celebration to raise funds and drive breast and ovarian health awareness.  Pink Out has raised $845,000 over the past nine years.

This year, Churchill Downs will donate $50,000 to the Breast Health Program at Norton Cancer Institute. The donation will be used to help renovate the Norton Prevention & Wellness Mobile Prevention Center, which provides free screening services to underserved patients age 40 and older in Jefferson and surrounding counties.   

“One in eight women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime, so the continued partnership presents significant opportunity to bring hope to women across our community,” said Lynnie Meyer, Ed.D, R.N., CFRE, Norton Healthcare senior vice president and chief development officer. 

“As a volunteer-driven community initiative, Derby Divas is excited to be a central part of this partnership,” said Derby Diva Angela Tafel. “It will provide important help in raising funds and awareness to prevent breast cancer and provide breast health programs and services to underserved women in our community.”

“The local community has always shown such energy and support for these issues, Pink Out and the Survivors Parade,” said Tonya Abeln, President of Churchill Downs Incorporated Foundation. “This partnership makes our work to raise funds for breast and ovarian health and awareness that much more meaningful because they will go directly into our own community and one of its most impactful health organizations.”

About Churchill Downs Racetrack

Churchill Downs, the world’s most legendary racetrack, has conducted Thoroughbred racing and presented America’s greatest race, the Kentucky Derby, continuously since 1875. Located in Louisville, the flagship racetrack of Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ: CHDN) offers year-round simulcast wagering at the historic track. Churchill Downs will conduct the 144^th running of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve on May 5, 2018. The track’s 2018 Spring Meet is scheduled for April 28-June 30. An eight-time host to the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, Churchill Downs will again be the site of that event on Nov. 2-3, 2018. www.ChurchillDowns.com.

About Derby Divas

Derby Divas is a group of dedicated volunteers committed to raising significant funds for breast health initiatives. Their focus is making sure underserved women have access to mammograms and other key services to help prevent, detect and treat breast cancer. During the past decade, the group has raised more than $1.5 million for breast health programs and initiatives, including Norton Healthcare’s mobile prevention center that provides free mammograms and wellness exams to women with limited access to these care services. One of the group’s highlights has been to see the Derby Divas Breast Health Center dedicated at Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital. https://nortonhealthcare.com/ways-to-help/norton-healthcare-foundation/foundation-events/derby-divas/

About Norton Cancer Institute Breast Health Program

The Norton Cancer Institute BreastHealth Program is accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), a program administered by the American College of Surgeons. The program was developed to provide comprehensive breast care, including prevention, diagnostic and treatment services, to women in our community. Along with clinical services, the program provides education and support through a team of certified breast care navigators. These registered nurses are specially trained in breast health issues and breast cancer treatment, and are available to assist patients and their families from the point of an abnormal mammogram through diagnosis, treatment and survivorship. In 2015, breast health nurse navigators had more than 4,800 interactions with patients. The Breast Health Program also cares for the person within by offering support groups and community education.  The program facilitates the Young Survivors Day Out for women diagnosed at age 45 or younger, and a monthly breast cancer support group for any woman affected by breast cancer. 

About Longines

Based at Saint-Imier, Switzerland since 1832, Longines watchmakers enjoy an expertise steeped in tradition, elegance and performance. With generations of experience as the official timekeeper for world championships, and as partner for international sports federations, Longines has created lasting and durable links in the world of sports. Known for the elegance of its timepieces, Longines is a member of Swatch Group Ltd, the world’s leading manufacturer of watchmaking products. The Longines brand, with its winged hourglass emblem, has been established in over 150 countries. For more information, please contact: Longines International Public Relations, 2610 Saint-Imier, Switzerland [email protected], http://www.longines.com

About Kroger

At The Kroger Co., we are dedicated to our purpose: to Feed the Human Spirit. We are 453,000 associates who serve nearly nine million customers daily in 2,793 retail food stores under a variety of local banner names in 35 states and the District of Columbia. Our Family of Companies operates an expanding ClickList offering – a personalized order online service – in addition to 2,258 pharmacies, 783 convenience stores, 307 fine jewelry stores, 222 retail health clinics, 1,472 supermarket fuel centers and 38 food production plants in the United States. Our Company has been recognized as one of America's most generous companies for our support of more than 100 Feeding America food bank partners, breast cancer research and awareness, the military and their families, and more than 145,000 community organizations including schools. As a leader in supplier diversity, we are a proud member of the Billion Dollar Roundtable.