NBCF Congratulates U.S. Olympic
Gold & Bronze Medal Bobsledders

The National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. (NBCF) congratulates the U.S. Bobsledding Teams for earning gold and bronze medals at the 2010 Winter Olympics. In record breaking fashion, the four-man bobsled team of Steven Holcomb (Park City, Utah) and his crew of Justin Olsen (San Antonio, Texas), Steve Mesler (Buffalo, N.Y.) and Curt Tomasevicz (Shebly, Neb.), known as The Night Train, brought home the first U.S. Olympic gold medal in four-man bobsledding since 1948.

U.S. Women’s Bobsledders, Erin Pac (Farmington, Conn.) and Elana Meyers (Douglasville, Ga.) also won the 2010 Olympic bronze medal at the Whistler Sliding Center. The U.S. claimed three of the top six standings and North Americans swept the podium. Bree Schaaf (Bremerton, Wash.) teamed with Emily Azevedo (Chico, Calif.) to finish fifth and Shauna Rohbock (Park City, Utah) partnered with Michelle Rzepka (Novi, Mich.) to place sixth.

“It’ll take a little while to sink in,” said Holcomb. “You work so hard to get somewhere and you finally get there and you’re kind of like, ‘Now what? I don’t know what to do.’ At the same time, these guys have been training so hard and working so hard for pretty much the last four years, to finally end on a high note like this is huge.”

Displaying a heart of gold from the start, the U.S. Bobsled & Skeleton Federation’s (USBSF) used their grueling training sessions and the subsequent media coverage to join forces with NBCF and bring awareness to the importance of early detection of breast cancer.

During their Olympic preparations in Park City, Utah, the U.S. bobsledders decorated their NASCAR inspired Bo-Dyn Bobsleds with charity logos and messages of hope. Knowing the ground-breaking and innovatively engineered bobsleds would attract a media on slot, the bobsledders used this opportunity to talk about the issues that matter to them, including NBCF’s mission to save lives.

“This team has defined itself with its willingness to give back,” said Darrin Steele, USBSF CEO. “The USBSF spends a great deal of time and effort asking for support in order to sustain our organization. These athletes have reminded us that we also have the means and the responsibility to give back to those organizations that have special meaning to our federation.”

“There’s a lot behind this medal,” said Pac. “It means so much personally and it means so much to our team.” To read more about the U.S. Bobsled gold medal win, visit: http://bobsled.teamusa.org/.

About the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.
Recognized as one of the leading breast cancer organizations in the world, NBCF’s mission is to save lives through early detection and to provide mammograms for those in need. NBCF provides Help for Today…Hope For Tomorrow® through its National Mammography Program, Early Detection Plan®, MyNBCF online social community, and breast cancer research programs. For more information about NBCF, visit www.nbcf.org.

U.S. Olympic Bobsledder Raises Breast Cancer Awareness

Frisco, TX – February 16, 2010
2010 Winter Olympic Bobsledder, Emily Azevedo, a Chico, California native, was just a child when she found out her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer.

“The doctors gave her a 50-50 chance of living five years if she had chemotherapy,” said Azevedo. “She is now a 25-year survivor and continues to teach me daily that nothing is impossible.”

A UC-Davis school record holder in the 100-meter hurdles, Azevedo credits her mother as a source of strength and inspiration in her pursuit for Olympic gold.

“My mother has dedicated her life to breast cancer awareness and advocating early detection,” said Azevedo.  “For as long as I can remember, October marks a house full of pink ribbons.  I am sure my mother has saved many lives by raising awareness, and my hope is the recognition on our Bodyn bobsleds will help save many more.”

As part of the U.S. Bobsled & Skeleton Federation’s (USBSF) desire to give back, several of the athletes, coaches, and staff identified charities that had special meaning to their lives.

“This team has defined itself with its willingness to give back,” said Darrin Steele, USBSF CEO. “The USBSF spends a great deal of time and effort asking for support in order to sustain our organization. These athletes have reminded us that we also have the means and the responsibility to give back to those organizations that have special meaning to our federation.”

Azevedo selected the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. (NBCF), whose mission is to save lives through early detection and to provide mammograms for those in need.

Representatives from NBCF recently travelled to Park City, Utah to meet Emily and the USBSF team members and to show their support for their Olympic bid.

NBCF Spokesperson and COO, Kevin Hail, said of Azevedo, “I was inspired not only by her tenacious dedication to the sport, but also by her desire to use the Olympic spotlight to talk about an issue that affects the lives of millions of women across the world.”

Hail continued, “Emily genuinely wants to do everything she can to help women facing breast cancer, and by using her Olympic influence to raise awareness of early detection, she is helping to save lives while competing for gold.”

With her “nothing is impossible” persona, it’s possible she could do both. Breast cancer survivors will certainly be rooting for her as she competes this week.

Coverage of Emily Azevedo and the USBSF Team begins this Wednesday, February 17th, 2010 on NBC and its affiliate stations. Check your local listings for schedules and times.