SINGAPORE (March 25, 2011) — International tire distributor Omni United (S) Pte. Ltd. hopes to raise $1 million by next May through sales of its Radar-brand tires globally to be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), a New York-based non-profit that funds clinical and translational research into finding a cure for breast cancer.
Omni United, distributor of the Radar, Goodride, Roadlux and Corsa brands, will donate 25 cents for every Radar-brand tire sold through May 2012, according to Omni President and CEO G.S. Sareen. Omni has committed to raise a minimum of $250,000 but is shooting to hit $1 million, Mr. Sareen said.
Singapore-based Omni United will launch the campaign, known as “Mobilizing Hope,” at Tyrexpo Asia, which takes place March 29-31 in Singapore.
“We believe that our company has a responsibility to the world beyond making a safe, durable, eco-friendly, and attractive tire for our customers,” Mr. Sareen said in a prepared statement.
Omni United lauded the BCRF's “work and dedication to the global cause of fighting breast cancer, a disease that has touched the lives of many in our communities. We admire BCRF's efficiency and relentless focus on funding the most cutting-edge medical research in preventing and finding a cure for breast cancer.”
Mr. Sareen said this will be the first of what he forsees will be annual fund-raising efforts by the company for various charities.
“Radar Tires' 'Mobilizing Hope' campaign will not only help spread the Breast Cancer Research Foundation's message globally, but it has the potential to reach and impact men as well,” said Evelyn Lauder, founder and chairman of the foundation.
“This disease touches mothers, wives, sisters and friends. Radar Tires' contributions will help fund innovative research that will advance the fight against breast cancer worldwide” said Myra Biblowit, president of the foundation.
An estimated 1.3 million women worldwide were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010 and approximately 450,000 women died from the disease.
The foundation's ´website´ shows there were just six donors last year of $1 million or more.
The BCRF was founded in 1993 by Ms. Lauder as an independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to funding innovative clinical and translational research. The foundation directs more than 90 cents of every dollar donated to research and awareness. In 2010, the BCRF awarded $33 million to 172 scientists worldwide.
At 25 cents per tire, Omni United will have to sell 4 million units to reach its goal of $1 million.
To enhance the Radar line's scope, Omni United recently purchased the VSP brand — launched in 2006 by East Bay Tire Co. and other wholesalers in Europe and Asia — and is melding some of the brand's tread designs into the Radar lineup, Mr. Sareen said.
Among the new fitments available will be the Centigrade winter line — the first winter tread for the Radar line — and the Argonite van line. Omni United will continue to use VSP's manufacturers in Indonesia and China, Mr. Sareen said. Other new products being launched at Tyrexpo Asia include the Verenti R6 ultra-high-performance and Renegade R5 mud-terrain tire lines.
Omni United will retain rights to the VSP brand name — which stands for Velocity*Security*Precision — but has no immediate plans to the use the name, Mr. Sareen said.
Omni United is active in North America through offices in Michigan, Minnesota, Florida and Colorado.