NASHVILLE, TN, (February 8, 2016) – Sarah Cannon, the global cancer institute of Hospital Corporation of America (HCA), in partnership with Country superstar Martina McBride and Big Machine Label Group (BMLG), announced today the launch of Band Against Cancer, activated through The Sarah Cannon Tour concert series. The initiative unites two of the most influential industries — music and healthcare — to help connect those touched by cancer with community-based treatment options and resources.
The Sarah Cannon Tour will travel through several key U.S. cities in 2016 and return home to Nashville with a special concert event at the Grand Ole Opry in October. The tour, which helps to benefit several charitable cancer support organizations, includes performances by Martina McBride and other influential country music artists. Full details about each stop of the tour will be announced in the coming months at www.bandagainstcancer.com.
In addition to the concert events, Martina will anchor a national social and digital initiative engaging people coast to coast in ways that every follower can help to advance our mission to fight cancer. Further, national awareness campaigns with iHeart Media, Premiere Networks, Cumulus Media and Westwood One will align with Band Against Cancer.
“We are honored to have Martina be the voice that helps launch a grassroots effort aimed at empowering communities to take immediate action against cancer,” said Dee Anna Smith, Sarah Cannon Chief Executive Officer. “The more communities that band together, the louder our voices will be in this fight.”
The initial focus of the campaign will be on people facing blood cancer, an underserved patient population requiring convenient access to cutting-edge treatment options in their communities. Approximately every three minutes, one person in the United States is diagnosed with a blood cancer. Further, 70 percent of all blood cancer patients who are in need of a transplant do not have a matched donor in their family. By arming people with resources and education, the initiative can help patients access potentially life-saving treatments including stem cell transplants and the latest targeted medicines.
“Helping families who are facing cancer has always been a cause that is near and dear to my heart,” said Martina McBride. “I’m honored to be the voice that connects these individuals and their families with a fully committed team of cancer experts. Together with Sarah Cannon, this means each person can fight cancer where they get their greatest strength, in their own communities, with their own band of support.”
As the flagship artist for Band Against Cancer, Martina McBride has used her voice to engage with her fans to help make the world a better place – out on tour and in their own hometowns. Team Martina, a collective of fans who stand with the iconic singer, give back to communities nationwide and will join the 2016 initiatives to Band Against Cancer. One of the most celebrated voices across genres, Martina is a four-time CMA Awards Female Vocalist of the Year whose hits chronicle more than two decades. Most recently, Martina’s Grammy nominated hit “I’m Gonna Love You Through It,” inspired many young fans to cover her song through social media to support loved ones battling cancer, and was featured on several national broadcasts including The Ellen Degeneres Show and The View. That anthem also was highlighted through the Eleven Across American Amtrak train tour, which ran coast to coast in 2011 to breast cancer awareness, and propelled Pandora to spotlight the superstar in an October concert event benefiting breast cancer causes.
“We have learned that when we bring cause and music together we’re able to cut through the media noise and bring very important messages to a greater number of people,” said Scott Borchetta, President/CEO Big Machine Label Group. “The sum is so much greater than the parts and it’s defined in our new relationship with Sarah Cannon. The initial focus of our relationship is attacking blood cancer and we are honored to join them in spreading the message and reaching the greatest number of people possible with Martina McBride and other great BMLG artists and their music.”
To learn more about how you can help, visit www.bandagainstcancer.com.
