Upper Midwest Riders are Raising Funds for American Cancer Society

Medina, Minn – Polaris and Victory Motorcycle dealers in Minnesota and Wisconsin are teaming up with Polaris ATV, RANGER and Victory riders to raise funds for the American Cancer Society in a special campaign called the “Polaris Rider Challenge to Fight Cancer.” This special fundraising drive runs through Oct. 31, 2007.

Polaris is rallying its employees, dealers, riding groups and all riders in Minnesota and Wisconsin to hold special fundraising events to help The American Cancer Society combat the disease Americans consider the most important health problem they could face.

As a special incentive, participating fundraising teams may enter a drawing for a custom Polaris RANGER XP utility vehicle with $2,500 in accessories.

“Our dealers, employees, and numerous ATV clubs will hold rides, charity events and fundraisers, so we will all be pulling together to fight cancer,” said John Corness. “The sobering truth is that 1.3 million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer this year, and half a million people will die from cancer. We hope this grass-roots fundraising effort can help raise awareness of the American Cancer Society’s research, education and patient services.”

Riders in Minnesota and Wisconsin are urged to visit their Polaris and Victory dealers or local riding clubs to learn about fundraising projects such as group rides, distance rides with pledges from donors and ride-ins at the dealerships.

“In Wisconsin and Minnesota alone, there will be nearly 50,000 people who will be diagnosed with cancer. Just under half of them will die. That's why the American Cancer Society is proud to team up with Polaris in the fight against the disease because one person hearing, 'You have cancer,' is one too many, in our opinion," said Peter Balistrieri, spokesperson for the American Cancer Society.

To learn how to form a fundraising team, get tips on raising donations and to get details about the RANGER XP drawing, visit http://main.acsevents.org/polaris.

“We invite riders to create their own, original ways to raise contributions too,” said Corness. “We expect them to come up with some highly imaginative approaches.”

The “Polaris Rider Challenge to Fight Cancer” campaign is being viewed as a pilot program that could be implemented nationwide in the future.

For more information about cancer--including early detection and prevention recommendations – and about the American Cancer Society, visit www.cancer.org.