Ex-Valley resident joins awareness effort

By HOLLY SCHOENSTEIN

The Ford-Warriors in Pink package debuted last year.

For Jackie Di Marco, remission did not mark the end of her experience with breast cancer.

The former Boardman resident and Mustang business manager for Ford Motor Co. in Ann Arbor, Mich., is sharing her experience with cancer in conjunction with the rollout of the 2009 Ford Mustang with Warriors in Pink package.

The package debuted last year on a limited edition 2008 Mustang model.

“Warriors in Pink is something they [the marketing team at Ford] developed to get people excited about the cause, ” Di Marco, 36, said.

The Warriors in Pink package is available on V-6 Premium Coupe and convertible models in black, white or silver. The model includes pink tape striping on the rocker panels and a nameplate with a pony and a pink ribbon on the fender. The charcoal-colored leather seats, floor mats and aluminum-spoke steering wheel have pink contrast stitching.

The revamped, limited edition Mustangs arrived at Ford dealerships nationwide this month.

Ford created the Warriors in Pink marketing campaign three years ago to raise awareness of breast cancer.

The first Mustang with the breast cancer awareness package debuted last year.

“They thought the Mustang was a great vehicle to do it on because Mustang owners are passionate about them, just as people are passionate about the breast cancer cause,” Di Marco said. “The Mustang is about bold spirit.”

She was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 1997 and battled it for five months before it went into remission. She agreed to share her story because she feels cancer detection, fundraising and awareness are important.

From each Mustang with the Warriors in Pink package, $500 is donated to Dallas-based Susan G. Komen for the Cure, an organization that exists “to save lives and end breast cancer forever,” said Karen White, team manager of corporate sponsorship for the organization.

She said that Ford’s affiliation with breast cancer awareness began when it wanted to get involved with Race for the Cure, a Komen event that raises money for breast cancer research and community health programs.

“By partnering with organizations like Ford — prominent corporate partners — we’ve been able to broaden our reach in ways that would otherwise would be undoable for a nonprofit organization ...,” White said. “What we exist to do is to educate people and fund research.”

Ford, one of 12 corporate sponsors for the Race for the Cure, raises about $2 million dollars each year through the Warriors in Pink campaign and sponsorship of the Race, she said. This year marks Ford’s 14th year of contributions to Komen.

Di Marco, who has worked for Ford for 12 years, appeared on NBC’s “Today Show” on Mother’s Day and discussed her battle with cancer and Ford’s involvement with the cause.

She graduated from Cardinal Mooney High School in Youngstown in 1990. She has a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from The Ohio State University and an MBA from University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

For more information about Warriors in Pink, visit www.fordcares.com.

For information on breast cancer, visit www.komen.org.

hschoenstein@vindy.com