Survivor Melissa Etheridge Partners With Ford, Pens New Track to Help Fight Breast Cancer

DEARBORN, Mich., Sept. 22 -- * Ford has enlisted support from Grammy-award winning singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge to release a new single through http://www.fordcares.com/ to help raise funds for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation.

* Etheridge, diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004, wrote "I Run For Life" about her battle with the disease and continuing support of women who are afflicted.

* Etheridge appears in a PSA on behalf of Ford, called "This One's For You," encouraging women to conduct the steps for early detection.

* In 2004, Ford raised more than $2.4 million for the Komen Foundation through the "Get Tied to the Cause" breast cancer awareness campaign. Along with other fundraising efforts, Ford's 11-year commitment to the cause totals nearly $85 million.

For years, Melissa Etheridge has inspired and empowered with her musical sensibility and strong persona. Now she is using her talents to educate and support women in the fight against breast cancer, a disease she has struggled with for the past year. With the support of Ford Motor Company , Etheridge will release a new song to raise funds to support breast cancer charities.

The single, titled "I Run For Life," will be available for 99 cents through iTunes on http://www.fordcares.com/ . In October, 80 percent of the download price will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and 20 percent to Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation. "I Run For Life" chronicles Etheridge's struggle with the disease and her courageous fight towards recovery. The song's title is a reference to the Komen Race for the Cure(R), a worldwide race series attended by more than 1 million breast cancer survivors and supporters to help raise funds for breast cancer awareness and research.

"When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, it was a devastating blow to me and my family, but I knew I had to fight," said Etheridge. "Ford approached me to help with their breast cancer awareness efforts, and I was ecstatic to lend my music as a weapon to fight the disease. Writing songs was part of my therapy, and I hope women everywhere will be inspired by the music and lyrics."

Etheridge will also appear in a public service announcement on http://www.fordcares.com/ . The PSA urges women of all ages to get yearly check-ups and mammograms. The PSA, titled "This One's For You," features Etheridge playing "I Run For Life" and will appear on http://www.fordcares.com/ , and is available to view or email to a friend in time for breast cancer awareness.

"We are so grateful that Melissa Etheridge was willing to donate her immense skills and popularity to raise money and awareness in the fight against breast cancer," said Connie Fontaine, Ford Primary Brand Communications Manager. "Through her music and influential presence, Melissa will surely become an inspiring voice to women everywhere who are struggling with the disease."

Ford is hoping that sales from the "I Run For Life" single will add to the immense success of its "Get Tied to the Cause" campaign. In 2004, Ford established a record for the largest donation from a Komen Race for the Cure(R) National Series sponsor with proceeds from a single item with its Lilly Pulitzer-designed breast cancer awareness scarf. Last year's contribution of more than $2.4 million capped a decade of commitment to breast cancer awareness and increased Ford's dedication to the Komen Foundation to nearly $85 million.

"I Run For Life" will be included on Etheridge's "Greatest Hits The Road Less Traveled," which is scheduled to be released in October 2005.

Melissa Etheridge

Etheridge has recorded eight albums over the course of her career. She has won the Grammy(R) Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance twice -- for the song "Ain't It Heavy" in 1992 and "Come to My Window" in 1994. In 1996, she was honored with the prestigious ASCAP "Songwriter of the Year" award. In October 2004, Etheridge was diagnosed with breast cancer and has become an outspoken advocate to eradicate the disease. At the 2005 Grammy(R) Awards, she made a return to the stage and performed a tribute to Janis Joplin. Etheridge was praised for her performance, which was considered one of the highlights of the show. The Kansas-born singer/songwriter has sold more than 30 million records worldwide and her greatest hits collection, "Greatest Hits The Road Less Traveled," is due to be released this October.

The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation/ Komen Race for the Cure(R) Series

The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation was established in 1982 by Nancy Brinker to honor the memory of her sister, Susan G. Komen, who died from breast cancer at the age of 36. A global leader in the fight against breast cancer, the Foundation fulfills its mission through support of innovative breast cancer research and community outreach programs around the world.

The Komen Race for the Cure(R) Series raises significant funds and awareness for the fight against breast cancer. These events celebrate breast cancer survivorship and honor those who have lost their battle with the disease. The largest series of 5K runs/fitness walks in the world, the Komen Race for the Cure(R) Series has grown from one local Race with 800 participants in Dallas, Texas, in 1983 to a series of more than 100 Races with more than one million people expected to participate this year. For more information about the Komen Foundation, breast health or breast cancer, visit http://www.komen.org/ or call the Foundation's National Toll Free Breast Care Helpline at 1.800 I'M AWARE(R) (1.800.462.9273)

Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures and distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With nearly 325,000 employees and 110 plants worldwide, the company's core and affiliated automotive brands include Aston Martin, Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercury and Volvo. Its automotive-related services include Ford Motor Credit Company and Hertz. For more information regarding Ford's breast cancer awareness initiatives, visit http://www.fordcares.com/ .