San Manuel Donates More Than $500,000 To Fight Breast Cancer

San Manuel Donates More Than $500,000 To Fight Breast Cancer

San Manuel aids efforts led by Susan G. Komen Inland Empire, Pink Ribbon Place, Stater Bros. Charities and the American Cancer Society as part of Breast Cancer Awareness month

HIGHLAND, Calif. (October 21, 2019) – The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians and San Manuel Casino announced today they will donate more than half a million dollars to several non-profit organizations in the Inland Empire and greater Los Angeles area to contribute to the fight against breast cancer.

“It’s up to all of us as one community to make health a priority for our loved ones as well as ourselves by encouraging screenings,” said Lynn Valbuena, Chairwoman of San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. “As a tribal nation and employer of 5,000 individuals, we intend to be there in support of women, men and their families who are managing this disease while we encourage early detection and contribute to advance treatments.”

San Manuel’s contributions support local organizations that are at the forefront of combating breast cancer through groundbreaking research or empowering those affected by breast cancer to overcome the battle. San Manuel joins the rally of supporters and survivors with various donations made during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

San Manuel Casino has donated $50,000 to Susan G. Komen Inland Empire, with the commitment of an additional $50,000 donations in 2020 and 2021. The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians pledged the same amount to the Pink Ribbon Place in Riverside. On Saturday, Sept. 28, San Manuel hosted the very first Celebrating Courage Fashion Show at the Fox Event Center in Redlands. The fashion show, featuring breast cancer survivors, was followed by a live auction, which raised an additional $100,000, split between Susan G. Komen IE and the Pink Ribbon Place.

On Oct. 6, San Manuel joined Stater Bros. Charities for the 12th Annual Believe Walk in Redlands as a Hope Sponsor, donating more than $60,000. More than 200 San Manuel employees represented the casino at the event, walking in unity with thousands of people from around the Inland Empire community.

Following a $50,000 donation to the American Cancer Society, San Manuel Casino was also the presenting sponsor for the Making Strides Walk in Los Angeles on Saturday, Oct. 19. Making Strides is a division of the American Cancer Society and is the largest network of breast cancer events in the nation.

Click here to view photos from these events

About San Manuel Band of Mission Indians
The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians is a federally-recognized Indian tribe located on the San Manuel Indian Reservation near Highland, California. San Manuel exercises its inherent sovereign right of self-governance and provides essential services for its citizens by building infrastructure, maintaining civil services, and promoting social, economic and cultural development. As descendants of the indigenous people of the San Bernardino highlands, passes, valleys, mountains and high deserts, the Serrano people of San Manuel have called this area home since time immemorial and are committed to remaining a productive partner in the San Bernardino region.

About San Manuel Casino
San Manuel Casino is Southern California’s one-stop destination for entertainment and fun, located just 60 minutes from downtown Los Angeles and a short drive from LA-Ontario International Airport. Millions of guests each year enjoy more than 4,700 slots, Vegas-style blackjack, high-limit gaming, incredible entertainment, sumptuous dining and a generous player’s reward program. Since 1986, players have received over $2 billion in cash, prizes and giveaways, making any visit to San Manuel an exciting and memorable experience. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

About Susan G. Komen Inland Empire
Komen® Inland Empire was founded in 1998 by a group of women committed to Komen® vision of a world without breast cancer.  To date, the Affiliate has invested more than $6.6 million toward community health grants and over $2.6 million in breakthrough research.  Seventy-five percent of funds raised are invested in local breast health programs and services.  The remaining twenty-five percent is dedicated to Komen® Awards and Research Grant Program to fund groundbreaking breast cancer research. The Komen mission is, “Save lives by meeting the most critical needs in our communities and investing in breakthrough research to prevent and cure breast cancer. We are dedicated to fulfilling our promise to save lives and end breast cancer. Susan G. Komen® Inland Empire is where the end of breast cancer begins™. www.komenie.org

About Pink Ribbon Place
The Pink Ribbon Place was established in 2006 and adopted by Riverside Community Health Foundation in 2013. Since its inception, the program has served families impacted by cancers throughout the Inland Empire by offering services and resources at no-cost. Their main goal is to improve the quality of life for those impacted by cancer, before, during and after treatment. They offer resources such as counseling, support groups, nutrition services, stress management, as well as wigs, bras and prothesis
http://pink.rchf.org/

About Stater Bros. Charities
Stater Bros. Charities is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that supports critical needs in the communities where Stater Bros. employees live and work. Since 2008, Stater Bros. Charities has provided funding to countless local organizations and causes that benefit hunger relief, children’s well-being, education, health, and help for our nation’s veterans and active service members. Funds are raised throughout the year from generous customers, supplier friends, and caring members of the Stater Bros. Supermarket Family.  Stater Bros. Charities recently received The Press Enterprise 2019 Reader’s Choice Award for Best Nonprofit Organization. The Believe Walk also received 2019 Reader’s Choice recognition being named amongst the Best Community Events in the Inland Empire. For more information about Stater Bros. Charities visit www.staterbros.com.

About American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of 1.5 million volunteers dedicated to saving lives, celebrating lives, and leading the fight for a world without cancer. From breakthrough research, to free lodging near treatment, a 24/7/365 live helpline, free rides to treatment, and convening powerful activists to create awareness and impact, the Society is the only organization attacking cancer from every angle. For more information go to www.cancer.org.

Media Contact:
Kenneth Shoji, PR Manager – San Manuel Band of Mission Indians
909-864-8933
Kshoji@sanmanuel-nsn.gov