Hope Flows... 30 Minutes at a Time

BLOOMINGDALE, Ill., April 29 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the National Cancer Institute, there are approximately 2.5 million women in the United States who either currently have or have had a history of breast cancer.*  Every employee at GROHE knows at least one of these women.

In an effort to help find a cure for this deadly disease, GROHE has launched "Hope Flows... 30 Minutes at a Time," a fundraising initiative to benefit The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF).  Dedicated to preventing breast cancer and finding a cure in our lifetime, BCRF (www.bcrfcure.org) funds clinical and translational research worldwide.

"Everyone at GROHE has been affected by breast cancer in one way or another," explained Jeff Ackerberg, president of GROHE America.  "We have many survivors in our immediate and extended corporate family and a deep commitment to finding a cure for this terrible disease.  We look forward to working with our employees, trade partners and consumers to raise much-needed funds to support the valuable research being done by BCRF."

The Program

To that end, for every sale (through participating kitchen and bath showrooms) of GROHE Ladylux3  Plus and Ladylux3 Cafe kitchen faucets, GROHE will donate $25 (the equivalent of 30 minutes of research time) to BCRF through the "Hope Flows..." initiative.  Additionally, GROHE employees, trade partners and consumers will be invited to make personal contributions to the campaign.  GROHE's goal is to raise $250,000 during the first year to support BCRF's efforts.  GROHE's projected contribution will fund a research project for an entire year.

"GROHE is the first manufacturer in the industry to adopt this cause in a meaningful, tangible way," said Tamara Jurgenson, director of product marketing for GROHE America.  "We have created opportunities for everyone who touches the GROHE brand to participate -- from manufacturing to the end-user.  And, we've given our showrooms and consumers one more reason to feel good about purchasing GROHE."

The Products

Key to GROHE's fundraising effort are two top-selling models in GROHE's flagship Ladylux3 line -- the Ladylux3 Cafe and Ladylux3 Plus.  Available in different finishes and ideal for consumers desiring a transitional and high-quality kitchen faucet, Ladylux3 is the newest incarnation of GROHE's original Ladylux faucet, the first pull-out design in America.  

Also part of the fundraising effort -- and serving as a visual icon for the "Hope Flows..." campaign -- is GROHE's pink-faced Rainshower Icon hand shower available late in 2010.  Awarded the Red Dot "Best of the Best" design award, this distinctive hand shower features a 145 mm diameter halo-shaped spray head in the signature pink color associated with breast cancer support.  Precise engineering of the shower jets ensures a full spray and perfect delivery from the Rain spray pattern.  The design also features an Eco button on the shower handle for effortless, fingertip water savings of up to 40 percent.

For more information about the "Hope Flows..." campaign, visit www.grohehopeflows.com.  GROHE products are sold through designer showrooms nationwide and select online retailers.  Specific showroom locations and retailer websites are available at www.groheamerica.com.

About GROHE

GROHE, Bloomingdale, Ill., is the 35-year-old, wholly-owned subsidiary of GROHE Water Technology AG & Co. KG, Germany.  GROHE faucet and shower products are distributed in more than 180 countries and represent nearly 80 years of excellence in European styling, engineering and quality.  GROHE ranks among the top three faucet manufacturers in the world and was the first international faucet manufacturer to be ISO 9001 Quality Assurance Certified.

*According to www.breastcancer.org.

SOURCE GROHE