April 30, 2009

2009 Cruisin' Road Map in PDF Format

Visit the Champions For a Cause web site

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - University of Tennessee Associate Head Basketball Coach Holly Warlick and UCLA Women's Head Basketball Coach Nikki Caldwell are proud to announce the third annual Cruisin' For A Cause presented by FedEx Office - a long haul motorcycle ride dedicated to raising funds and awareness for a cure for breast cancer - as part of their partnership in founding a new charitable organization, Champions For A Cause.

Both former Lady Vol basketball players, Warlick (1976-80) and Caldwell (1990-94), came up with the idea to begin a fundraising effort to raise money for breast cancer research, treatment, education and outreach.

Kicking off Cruisin' For A Cause is Knoxville's TaTa Tour on Saturday, May 2. Warlick and Caldwell are inviting motorcyclists to join them on a short ride beginning at 3:45 p.m. ET at the Wild Wing Café (Campbell Station Road, I-40), including a special stop at the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. Following the ride, participants and supporters are welcome to join Warlick and Caldwell back at the Wild Wing Café at 6:30 p.m. ET for the TaTa Tour After Party. Slots are limited for the TaTa Tour and online registration is encouraged.

Holly Warlick and Nikki Caldwell

When asked about the TaTa Tour and Cruisin' For A Cause, Warlick said, "Our goal is pretty simple. We want to ride thousands of miles to raise thousands of dollars to recruit thousands of people to join the fight against breast cancer." Also a passionate crusader for breast cancer awareness and research, Caldwell noted, "More than 185,000 women are diagnosed and more than 41,000 women die from breast cancer every year. This ride is one of our advocacy efforts to encourage the health community to advance their work on finding a cure for this life threatening illness."

Starting Sunday, May 3, both Warlick and Caldwell, along with the Cruisin' Crew, an entourage of supporters, will ride their bikes for the third annual Cruisin' For A Cause, a 1500-mile round-trip along the Natchez Trace. The motorcycle ride will begin in Knoxville and the crew will stop to host fundraisers and meet fans along the route, including planned events in Nashville on Sunday, May 3 and New Orleans on Thursday, May 7. And to celebrate their return, Regal Entertainment Group is sponsoring Cruisin' HOME for a Cause¸ a free concert and welcome home party with special musical guest, SellarsWray Rock Band, in Knoxville's Market Square at 6 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 9. Cruisin' For A Cause will also make stops and hold impromptu events in Tupelo, Miss. (May 4); Jackson, Miss. (May 5); and Birmingham, Ala. (May 8).

Past Cruisin' For A Cause events include the inaugural ride from San Francisco to Knoxville and last year's round-trip from Knoxville to Key West, Florida. Since 2007, the Cruisin' Crew has traveled more than 6,000 miles and the annual event has contributed to the nearly $100,000 raised by the charitable organization, Champions For A Cause.

Based in Knoxville, Tenn., Champions For A Cause has raised and donated nearly $100,000 to help support the fight against breast cancer through its signature events: Cruisin' For A Cause - a long haul motorcycle ride, Links Fore The Cure - a women's golf tournament, and b3 - bikes, basketball & breast cancer - a dinner and auction. The money raised through these events supports efforts such as the University of Tennessee Breast Health Outreach Program, Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund, and The Wellness Community of East Tennessee. These organizations have provided thousands of mammograms, countless treatments, and hours of education for those who could not otherwise afford these life saving services. Champions For A Cause is a non-profit (501(c)-3) fundraising organization started by UT Associate Head Basketball Coach Holly Warlick and UCLA Head Basketball Coach Nikki Caldwell, with the mission to advance and support the cause of charitable organizations who advocate and act to better the quality of life and health for individuals at risk or in need. For more information, visit Champions For A Cause at www.championsforacause.org and on facebook and twitter.