MAMMA MIA! AND BCRF:
A PARTNERSHIP FOR LIFE

Larry Norton MD, the distinguished American physician and breast cancer specialist at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Centre in New York City has described The Breast Cancer Research Foundation as a 'first-of-its-kind and still-leading organisation which recognises that new knowledge in the laboratory is worthless to people if it is not translated into clinical research, clinical trials and clinical applications. No other lay/advocacy organisation can make the claim for such productive involvement in cutting-edge research. The scientists chosen to participate in the BCRF are all established investigators of notable achievement, but they are asked to propose truly innovative research - breaking new ground, finding new directions, taking rational chances - so as to move the field forward with more speed, more excitement. This approach has not only yielded concrete progress but has inspired uncountable translational research initiatives throughout the world. No other lay/advocacy organisation can make the claim for such productive involvement in cutting-edge research.'

The Breast Cancer Research Foundation® was founded in 1993 by Evelyn H. Lauder as an independent, not-for-profit 501(c) (3) organization dedicated to funding innovative clinical and genetic research. The Foundation supports scientists at leading medical centers worldwide whose research is focused on achieving prevention and a cure for breast cancer in our lifetime. A minimum of 85 cents of each dollar donated to the Foundation goes directly to breast cancer research and awareness programs. In October 2007, $32 million will be awarded to more than 150 researchers across the U.S. and in Canada, Latin America, the Middle East, and throughout Europe. Money magazine named BCRF one of America’s eight top charities. And for the sixth consecutive year, BCRF received Charity Navigator’s highest rating, four stars, thus outperforming most other charities in America.

MAMMA MIA!'s close connection with BCRF was the result of a chance mid-air meeting between the hit musical's creator, producer JUDY CRAYMER, and the charity's founder EVELYN LAUDER, of Estée Lauder Companies Inc.

‘We met in the Spring of 2001 on a transatlantic flight, and got talking.  It turned out that Evelyn had seen MAMMA MIA! in London and loved it.  I was delighted that she wanted to hold a BCRF fundraising event involving MAMMA MIA!’.
 
The dazzling pink and white Rock Chick Supremo T-shirt was the result.  The following MAMMA MIA! productions are selling this exclusive T-shirt year round: London, Broadway, Las Vegas, the North American Tour and the International Tour and it is also available online at the MAMMA MIA! webshop.  During October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the T-shirt is also onsale at the theatres in Hamburg, Stuttgart, Utrecht and Madrid. Throughout October, MAMMA MIA! around the world is involved in further fund-raising initiatives, and together with sales from the T-shirts has raised a total of over £240,000 for Breast Cancer charities worldwide.

Judy Craymer says 'Breast cancer is predominantly a female health issue, although it affects both men and women in so many ways. We hope the T-shirt can carry on generating this much-needed funding for research.'

'MAMMA MIA! has been a true and loyal friend of the Foundation, and we treasure our association with this magnificent and uplifting show.' Evelyn Lauder adds.

For more information about BCRF, visit www.bcrfcure.org
or in North America call 1.866.FIND.A.CURE.

The Rock Chick Supremo T-shirt and Charity Notecards are available at the MAMMA MIA! Shops.

Click here to visit the UK shop.

Click here to visit the US shop.