Dallas, TX, Aug. 6, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- (http://www.myprgenie.com) -- This year's Brother Back to Business Convention in Nashville, TN is set to be the brand's biggest yet. The three day event kicked off Monday morning with participants coming out to see the line's new machines, hear about new technology and important trends in the industry, and, as a special surprise, meet one of the voices behind the Be The Difference Foundation.
For the 2013 dealer convention, Brother is partnering with the Be The Difference Foundation, and co-founder Helen Gardner to share stories about ovarian cancer and bring awareness to industry insiders of this devastating disease. This year's convention goers each received Be the Difference's signature Butterfly Ribbon Lapel Pin as a sign of the brand's support for the cause.
"As an advocate and ovarian cancer survivor, I am honored to see the backing Dean Shulman and Brother have offered Be The Difference through their event and dedication to get the word out," says Gardner. "Brother donated to a great cause on behalf of their dealers and the butterfly pins are a way for conventioneers to show their pride in being a part of the fight to end ovarian cancer. Seeing Brother and the dealers embrace the cause that affects their customer base is very rewarding and with their help, we can change the statistics of ovarian cancer."
Over 22,000 women are diagnosed each year with ovarian cancer and more than 70% of these will die from the disease. 90% of these women are over 40.* Ovarian cancer is very difficult to detect because it often presents itself as lesser, more common illness, like indigestion. And there is no reliable early detection test available. This makes it the deadliest of all other gynecological cancers combined. These statistics are why Gardner and three other survivors, Jill Bach, Lynn Lentscher & Julie Shrell, founded the Be The Difference Foundation.
While Brother dealers are gearing up for their fall kick off this month, Be The Difference staff are prepping for the Foundation's scarf drive starting September 1st in honor of National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. This year, the Foundation is partnering with Designs in Machine Embroidery, Craftsy Cares and dozens of dealers across the country to raise awareness and help reach the goal of collecting 10,000 scarves for patients in cancer treatment. The drive includes a week long blog tour, ads, donation bins, posters, banner ads and more!
Join us and help be the difference in the fight against ovarian cancer! For information about becoming a Retail Member or on how to participate in the Love My Scarf Drive email us at info@bethedifferencefoundation.org, visit our website at www.bethedifferencefoundation.org/retailmemberprogram or contact Wayne Walker 918-456-1973.
*Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Campaign
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More information on the Be the Difference Foundation and ovarian cancer can be found at www.bethedifferencefoundation.org.