Nashville, Tenn. – The Titans hosted the 2017 annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Kickoff Breakfast for the American Cancer Society at Nissan Stadium on August 23rd 2017. The inspirational kickoff officially launches the breast cancer awareness season that will culminate on October 21st with thousands of walkers gathering at Nissan Stadium for the 4.5 mile walk to finish the fight against breast cancer.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer is a noncompetitive, inspirational event that raises awareness and funds to end breast cancer and provide hope to ensure no one faces breast cancer alone. Since 1993, more than 12 million supporters have raised more than $750 million nationwide. Last year, 33,000 walkers in middle Tennessee helped to raise more than $900,000. This kickoff will provide community members the opportunity to learn how to get involved in the Nashville October walk.

"We are so excited to be here this morning as today kicks off the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer season," said Debbie Thomas, senior community development manager, American Cancer Society. "We are surrounded by a sea of pink, but underneath that pink are a lot of battle scars and a lot of stories. We are here to support all of those ladies who are in the audience today and to kick off the Making Strides season."

Titans longstanding partners, Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee and Kroger served as flagship sponsors of the event.

"We've partnered with the American Cancer Society for the last few years and we've done a lot of good work, raised a lot of money for research and we are here today to keep the support going," said Eric Regis, Farm Bureau Insurance, regional manager. "I've been coming to this breakfast for 3 years and I've heard a lot of stories and always hear 1 in 8. In January 2017, my wife had her annual exam and they found a spot. They started her treatment in February and because of the awareness she had the exam, which is very important. Because of the reaserch and the money raised, within 6 months of her diagnosis, she is in remission and on the road to recovery. It's a great cause and it does affect 1 in 8 people and we couldn't be more proud to be a part of it."

"I have a good friend who is 33 years old and in her seventh month of pregnancy she discovered she had breast cancer, " Thomas said. "Two weeks after she delivered, she had a mastectomy and now she is in the battle of her life with four little children who call her mom. That's why I'm here today and why I'm fighting this year."

"We will certainaly be here on walk day and we usually have a team of 500 Kroger associates who come together," said Melissa Eads, Kroger, corporate affairs manager. "It's a fun event for us and the biggest turnout we have volunteer wise each year. We will be here bright and early and hopefully it will be a beautiful day here at Nissan Stadium to take part and support such a wonderful cause."

Funds raised through Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walks enable the American Cancer Society to invest in groundbreaking research; provide free, comprehensive information and support to those touched by breast cancer; and help people take steps to reduce their breast cancer risk or find it early when it's most treatable.

"The Titans are such a great partner," Thomas said. "We have an awesome video from Adoree' Jackson this year and his mother was touched by breast cancer just a couple of years ago. The support we get from the Titans is tremendous and couldn't do it without them."

For additional details about the 16th annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk at 8:00 (rain or shine) on October 21nd at Nissan Stadium, visit makingstrideswalk.org/Nashville, TN or call the local American Cancer Society office at 615-341-7324.