Grand Ole Opry

OPRY NEWS

22nd Annual City of Hope Celebrity Softball Challenge on Saturday, June 9

One in three women and one in two men will be diagnosed with cancer in his/her lifetime. During the 2012 CMA Music Festival, a star-studded roster of Country Music’s hottest performers and personalities will join forces to help strike out the disease. Stars including Carrie Underwood, Scotty McCreery, Brantley Gilbert, Lauren Alaina, David Nail, James Otto, Robin Meade (CNN) and Olympic figure skating champion Scott Hamilton will participate in City of Hope’s 22^nd annual Celebrity Softball Challenge Presented by Staples. Emceed by Great American Country’s “Headline Country” host Storme Warren, the event will take place on Saturday, June 9at 9 a.m. at Greer Stadium. Tickets are now available at www.ticketmaster.com.

“We’re proud to support City of Hope in its fight against cancer,” said Pete Fisher, vice president and general manager, Grand Ole Opry. “City of Hope’s groundbreaking and innovative research benefits people everywhere.”

“This game is a unique event during the CMA Music Festival, where we bring artists and fans together in order to give hope to people living with cancer,” said Blair Garner, creator of ‘After MidNite with Blair Garner.’ “We expect to continue our winning streak this year and encourage all of our fans and the Nashville community to join us in this effort by attending the game and watching their favorite stars step up to the plate.”

Presented by Staples, this year’s game marks the 22^nd year that Nashville’s power hitters have gone to bat for City of Hope, a leading research, treatment and education center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. The Celebrity Softball Challenge has raised more than $2 million for City of Hope, enabling scientists to advance research and improve treatments for patients and families everywhere. In addition to Carrie Underwood, Scotty McCreery, Brantley Gilbert, Lauren Alaina, David Nail, James Otto, Robin Meade and Scott Hamilton, Chuck Wicks, Whitney Duncan, Bucky Covington, Sarah Darling, Billy Gilman, Kristen Kelly and Two Foot Fred will take to the field for the highly anticipated game between longtime rivals Grand Ole Opry and After MidNite with Blair Garner. Additional sponsors include PEOPLE Country, as presenting media sponsor, and Humana.

“As a two-time survivor of acute myeloid leukemia, I will forever be connected to City of Hope as a patient, and fight with them to find the lifesaving treatments that have saved my life and so many others,” said Nicole Schulz, Miss California Teen United States 2010, City of Hope supporter and longtime Celebrity Softball Challenge attendee. “I’m so excited to share my story and personal experience, and be part of this year’s game with so many amazing people who are committed to helping City of Hope advance its research and strike out cancer. I look forward to this event every year.”

“Staples is honored to serve as the presenting sponsor of the Celebrity Softball Challenge,” said Ron Sargent, Staples chairman and chief executive officer. “We believe continued education and building awareness are essential in helping City of Hope in its efforts to find a cure for the millions of people living with cancer.”

“The Nashville community has been a longtime star player in supporting our mission to advance cancer research and treatments that change the game for millions of patients and families worldwide,” said Michael A. Friedman, M.D., president and chief executive officer of City of Hope. “We are grateful for the generous commitment of Staples, CMA, celebrity players and fans for helping us have the resources to develop lifesaving treatments at City of Hope.”

For more information about the 22^nd annual City of Hope Celebrity Softball Challenge presented by Staples, visit www.cityofhope.org/softball. To purchase tickets to the most fun-filled game in town, visit www.ticketmaster.com. All ticket sales benefit City of Hope.