Susan G. Komen Honors Pippa Mann Racing at Its Annual Susan G. Komen Leadership Conference

Susan G. Komen® honored Pippa Mann Racing as its Rookie of the Year partner during the organization’s annual Susan G. Komen Leadership Conference, held July 17-19 in Fort Worth, Texas. This award goes to an outstanding corporate partner that contributed in a major way during the “rookie” season.

In 2014, IndyCar driver Pippa Mann partnered with Komen in an effort to raise funds and awareness for the cause at the world’s largest single-day sporting event, The Indianapolis 500. Pippa served as the sole female driver at the 2014 race, representing Komen on the track with a specially-designed pink race car with the Komen logo emblazoned on each sidepod. Pippa also developed a website, which provided fans with the opportunity to make donations in support of each lap Pippa completed throughout the month of May, with 100% of the proceeds benefitting Komen.

In the weeks leading up to the premiere race event, Pippa and her team worked tirelessly to ensure the Komen brand and mission took center stage. “Pippa was a beautiful representation of the organization in every facet, serving as a beacon of strength, determination and courage in all public appearances and media interviews,” said Norm Bowling, Komen’s Chief Revenue and Marketing Officer. Komen noted that she was diligent in her efforts to ensure that the organization was included in every aspect of the Indy experience, from sporting her pink Komen polo to every event, to hosting a survivor event at the track, to inviting Komen representatives to participate alongside her at the Indy 500 parade, to providing tickets for Komen HQ & local representatives to attend the Indy 500 and offering her only two additional seats at the Victory Banquet.

“The exposure that the organization received in every facet was truly invaluable,” said Bowling. “It is with great pleasure that we recognize her dedication and commitment to the Komen organization, as she is truly a world class athlete with a passion for pink.”

Pippa surpassed expectations in her commitment to the organization and the Affiliates involved with her Indy 500 campaign, donating her helmet to Komen Central Indiana to auction off. The success of this partnership is evident in the $17,000 raised overall, millions of valuable impressions generated and the platform set for future growth. Pippa has taken a very personal approach to this partnership by being more than just an advocate for the cause but being personally involved in every call, email and planning meeting.

“I am so incredibly grateful to be involved in this partnership with Susan G. Komen, and to try to use what I do as a platform to make a difference in the mission to find a cure for breast cancer,” said Pippa. “I learned an incredible amount in my two days in Fort Worth; the amazing amount of progress that has been made, and yet at the same time, the amount of distance we still have to go. I was thrilled to be invited to present our month of May as a case study, and I am truly honored to be associated with this organization. I used to shy away from wearing pink at the race track because I wanted to be defined as just another driver as opposed to ‘the girl’, but now I find myself not only wearing my pink colors whenever the opportunity allows me to do so, but feeling incredibly proud of what those colors represent.”

About Susan G. Komen®

Susan G. Komen is the world’s largest breast cancer organization, funding more breast cancer research than any other nonprofit while providing real-time help to those facing the disease. Since its founding in 1982, Komen has funded more than $800 million in research and provided more than $1.7 billion in funding to screening, education, treatment and psychological support programs serving millions of people in more than 30 countries worldwide. Komen was founded by Nancy G. Brinker, who promised her sister, Susan G. Komen, that she would end the disease that claimed Suzy’s life. Visit komen.org or call 1-877 GO KOMEN. Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.

About Pippa Mann

Having grown up as a race fan, Pippa Mann began her motorsport career in Europe, before moving to the States in 2009 to compete in the Firestone Indy Lights Series. There she became the first female in history to win a pole at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and only the second woman ever to win an Indy Lights race. In 2011, Mann became the eighth woman in history to qualify for and race in the Indianapolis 500, and the first British female to do so. In addition to her racing commitments, the British driver is a regular voice on IMS Radio Network’s coverage of the IZOD IndyCar Series, and has made guest appearances as co-presenter for NBCSN’s television coverage of the Firestone Indy Lights series. Mann also works with young and upcoming female drivers through her association with Glass Hammer Racing – an organization created to encourage the interest and participation of young women in motorsport. Visit www.pippamann.com.