Martina McBride Teams With Sarah Cannon Network For Launch Of Band Against Cancer

Picture (L-R): Nash Icon Records’ Jim Weatherson, Cumulus’ Shawn Parr, Sarah Cannon’s Dee Anna Smith and Milton Johnson, Martina McBride and BMLG’s Scott Borchetta. Photo: Adam Taylor

Martina McBride and Big Machine Label Group (BMLG) have teamed with Sarah Cannon Network, the global cancer institute of Hospital Corporation of America (HCA), and announced today the launch of Band Against Cancer, activated through The Sarah Cannon Tour concert series.

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 McBride and other country artists. Full details about each stop of the tour will be announced in the coming months at bandagainstcancer.com.

In addition to the concert events, Martina will anchor a national social and digital initiative engaging people 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.

The initial focus of the campaign will be on people facing blood cancer. 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 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.”

“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.”

Pictured (L-R): Martina McBride and BMLG’s Scott Borchetta. Photo: Adam Taylor