Unprecedented Day of Network Reporting Across All ABC News Platforms on Tuesday, October 1, 2013

One in eight women in her lifetime will get breast cancer.

Getting mammograms as recommended lowers the risk of dying from breast cancer by more than 16%.

More than 80% of breast cancer patients have no genetic history of the disease.

Most Americans know someone affected by breast cancer. And while most people know the facts when it comes to a healthy diet, wearing a bike helmet, and buckling up when riding in a car, many are still unaware of the things they can do to prevent breast cancer and catch it early if it develops. Working with a team of noted doctors and experts in the breast cancer arena, ABC News Goes Pink on October 1 st to help engage, empower, and educate Americans on the facts about breast cancer prevention, detection, diagnosis, and treatment. ABC News will devote a full day of coverage on October 1 st on "Good Morning America," "World News with Diane Sawyer," "Nightline," ABCNEWS.com, ABC News Radio, ABC NewsNow and ABC NewsOne. Additionally, ABC owned and affiliate stations throughout the country will participate in the campaign with special local programming. The unprecedented campaign also features ABC News' PINK PLEDGE, which is live on ABCNewsGoesPink.com, a site created especially for the initiative.

ABC News Goes Pink is a wake-up call and a conversation starter to help American women make breast health a priority and spend as much time, energy and money taking care of their breasts as their beauty. It is also a call to alert American men who are at risk and may not know the facts.

"ABC News Goes Pink is a very important initiative across all of our programs and platforms. We hope to help our audience understand the risks, medical research and options for preventing, detecting and treating a serious disease that afflicts millions," said Ben Sherwood, ABC News president. "The health care community has made clear that early detection of breast cancer makes a big difference. ABC News Goes Pink will help educate and empower millions of Americans to assess their individual risks and to take charge of their health along with their doctors."

ABC News Goes Pink Campaign:

Pink Pledge

Viewers can join breast cancer survivors Robin Roberts, Sheryl Crow, and Christina Applegate and supporters Gloria Estefan, New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning and many others as they take the PINK PLEDGE on ABCNewsGoesPink.com:

"I pledge to…

- Learn the facts about breast cancer.

- Understand my individual risk based on family history.

- Find out about the different tools of detection and what is right for me.

- Talk to my doctor to learn about my breasts and what ongoing care may be best for me.

- Know when I should get screened for breast cancer and follow through on these recommendations.

- Start a conversation with the women and men in my life about our breast health.

- Spend as much attention on my breast health as I do on my beauty treatments."

ABC News Goes Pink Day - Tuesday, October 1

ABC News will report on important topics such as: confusion about screening guidelines, the so-called breast cancer genes, tools of detection, potential new vaccines, and how underserved women are left behind, among many other reports throughout the day on "Good Morning America," (7:00 - 9:00 am ET), "World News with Diane Sawyer" (6:30 - 7:00 pm ET), "Nightline" (12:35 - 1:00 am ET), ABCNews.com, ABC News Radio, ABC NewsNow, and ABC Affiliates throughout the country

The day kicks off as "GMA Goes Pink," dedicating a large portion of the show to breast cancer awareness. "GMA Goes Pink" will feature Angelina Jolie's doctor, Dr. Kristi Funk, who will talk about her patient's brave decision to have a preventive double mastectomy, and show how to map a family tree for breast cancer gene. There will also be a special Pink Deals and Steals with 15% of the proceeds going to breast cancer organizations, as well as special guest stars. From the set to the graphics to the anchors' wardrobes, "GMA" will be a sea of pink to help raise awareness for breast cancer.

Celebrities including Pink, Giuliana Rancic, John Legend, Valerie Harper, Cedric the Entertainer, Kelly Rowland, Cynthia Nixon, and others have all added their voices to ABC News Goes Pink.

The results of a comprehensive new ABC News poll about Americans and breast cancer will also be released on the morning of October 1.

In addition to ABC News' medical team of Dr. Richard Besser and Dr. Jennifer Ashton, the following renowned medical experts are contributing their ideas to the initiative:

• Otis Brawley, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, American Cancer Society
• Marisa Weiss, M.D., Founder and President Breastcancer.org
• Cliff Hudis, M.D., Chief of Breast Cancer Medicine Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
• Susan Love, M.D., President, Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation
• Edith A. Perez, M.D, Deputy Director at Large, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center

John Green is the Executive Producer in charge of ABC News Goes Pink. Geralyn Lucas and Tomomi Arikawa, both breast cancer survivors, are the coordinating producers.

LINK: www. ABCNewsGoesPink.com

PROMO LINK: http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/pink-gma-abc-news-20347522

-ABC-