Ford Division launches new breast cancer website featuring Komen Race for the Cure®

DEARBORN, Mich., - Send a friend an e-mail reminder to conduct a self-breast exam. Learn the facts about breast cancer and the latest treatments. Share an essay about a person who has inspired you as she fights this disease.

These are just a few of the options you'll find on www.fordvehicles.com/fordforce - a new breast cancer link to Ford Division's website. The site is being launched in conjunction with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Race for the Cure® in Detroit.

"Ford Division is committed to the fight against breast cancer," explained Jan Klug, marketing communications manager. "We think we can make the most impact by helping educate women about the importance of early detection and treatment. This new website will help us achieve that goal in a fun and interactive way."

The website has five options. Race Profile provides facts about breast cancer, and a brief overview of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and its Race for the Cure® series.

Ford Force encourages men and women to join Ford in the fight against breast cancer. People who register for the Ford Force team at their local Race receive a free bandanna to wear as a symbol of hope and courage. Ford Force members are automatically entered in a sweepstakes to win a 24-month Ford Credit Red Carpet Lease on a 2000-model year Ford Division vehicle of their choice. Browsers can click on a barometer to see how their local Race is affecting growth of the Ford Force team nationwide.

Race Schedule tells you when Komen Race for the Cure® is coming to your community in 1999.

Healthy Living provides information on breast cancer prevention, detection and management in a question-and-answer format that's easy to read and understand. New articles on topics like "Foods that fight cancer" and "Making things easy for my kids when I'm in the hospital" are posted every two weeks. You can also link to Breast Health, the Komen Foundation site.

Interact with Friends allows you to send a friend an electronic postcard. One card is a reminder to conduct monthly self-exams. The other card encourages you to register for a Race in your community. You can also enter an essay contest describing a relative or friend who has inspired you as she fights this disease. Entries will be posted on the site and one lucky winner and a guest will win a trip to New York to participate in that city's Komen Race for the Cure®.

Additional features coming soon include a tribute wall which allows you to honor someone you know who has been affected by breast cancer. There will be space to leave a personal message, post your own photos from local Races, participate in a virtual Race and visit the virtual Ford Race tent.