Detroit Tigers and Karmanos Cancer Institute team up for Pink Out the Park, September 13

The Detroit Tigers and the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute are teaming up for the second annual Pink Out the Park at the Detroit Tigers vs. Kansas City Royals game Friday, Sept. 13, at 7:08 p.m., at Comerica Park. The evening's festivities will celebrate and honor those touched by breast cancer. Fans are encouraged to wear pink to the game to support breast cancer awareness and prevention.

Delta Air Lines, the Official Airline of the Detroit Tigers, will serve as the host sponsor for this year's Pink Out the Park and will provide a pink tote giveaway to the first 10,000 fans attending the Sept. 13 game. Media sponsors for Pink Out the Park include FOX Sports Detroit and CBS Radio Detroit: WWJ Newsradio 950, 97.1 The Ticket, 98.7 AMP Radio, 99.5 WYCD, 104.3 WOMC and CBS Sports Radio 1270 WXYT.

There will be several activities supporting breast cancer awareness and prevention starting with an on-field pre-game ceremony at 6:30 p.m. honoring breast cancer survivors and ending with a fireworks display following the game, presented by Pepsi. Special Detroit Tigers pink pins will be available for purchase for $12 at all Comerica Park retail locations. A portion of the proceeds will benefit breast cancer research at the Karmanos Cancer Institute. Special kiosks with breast health information will also be available to all fans. In addition, there will be a 50/50 raffle held at both the Sept. 13 and Sept. 14 Detroit Tigers vs. Kansas City Royals games. Raffle tickets will sell three for $5 and proceeds from the 50/50 raffle will benefit the Karmanos Cancer Institute and the Detroit Tigers Foundation.

"We're honored to team up with Delta Airlines and the Karmanos Cancer Institute to raise awareness of health issues that impact our fans, and we're thrilled with the community's response to Pink Out the Park," said Duane McLean, executive vice president, Business Operations, Detroit Tigers.

"Cancer impacts all of us in one way or another. The Detroit Tigers organization is committed to raising awareness of health issues through events like Pink Out the Park and health fairs for our employees, offering up-to-date health information as well as tools to help prevent and survive cancer and other diseases. Together, working with partners like the Karmanos Cancer Institute, our fans will have the opportunity to enjoy many more Detroit Tigers baseball games in the years to come."  

Tickets are still available for the Sept. 13 Pink Out the Park and may be purchased by going to www.tigers.com.  

"Everyone knows someone touched by breast cancer," said Tom Brookens, Detroit Tigers third base coach. "Please join me and my family for Pink Out the Park on Sept. 13 and support the great cancer research being done at the Karmanos Cancer Institute.

"We look forward to seeing a packed ballpark with everyone wearing pink!"

The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute is one of only 41 National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the country and the only hospital in Michigan solely focused on treating cancer. From ground-breaking research to the most up-to-date therapies and individualized treatment plans, Karmanos is truly on the cutting-edge when it comes to fighting cancer.

"We are very grateful to the Detroit Tigers and all the sponsors and fans supporting the second annual Pink Out the Park," said Gerold Bepler, M.D., Ph.D., president and CEO, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute. "Cancer is a tough disease but we have a relentless, committed team of experts at Karmanos working to eradicate breast cancer and other cancers every day. Having the Detroit Tigers and our community behind our winning team continues to fuel our determination to advance cancer research, detect cancer early, as well as discover better treatment options for cancer patients."

For more information on cancer care, call 1-800-KARMANOS (1-800 527-6266) or visit www.karmanos.org.

About The Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers, Inc., a charter member of the American League in 1901, have won four World Series and 11 American League pennants. The team is owned by Michael Ilitch who purchased the ballclub in 1992. Michael and his wife, Marian, jointly own other companies in the food, sports and entertainment industries include: Little Caesars Pizza, Blue Line Foodservice Distribution, the Detroit Red Wings, Olympia Entertainment, Olympia Development, Little Caesars Pizza Kit Fundraising Program, Champion Foods, Uptown Entertainment and Ilitch Holdings, Inc. Marian Ilitch is the sole owner of MotorCity Casino Hotel. For more information, visit www.tigers.com.

About the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute
Located in mid-town Detroit, Michigan, the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute is one of 41 National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the United States. Caring for more than 6,000 new patients annually on a budget of $260 million, conducting more than 700 cancer-specific scientific investigation programs and clinical trials, Karmanos is among the nation's best cancer centers. Through the commitment of 1,000 staff, including nearly 300 physicians and researchers on faculty at the Wayne State University School of Medicine, and supported by thousands of volunteer and financial donors, Karmanos strives to prevent, detect and eradicate all forms of cancer. Its long-term partnership with the WSU School of Medicine enhances the collaboration of critical research and academics related to cancer care. Gerold Bepler, M.D., Ph.D., is the Institute's president and chief executive officer. For more information call 1-800-KARMANOS (1-800-527-6266) or go to www.karmanos.org.