Athena® bottled water was created for the cause® in 2003 by a breast cancer survivor who had one purpose: to win the war against breast cancer. Since then, the bottled water brand has donated $2 million to prestigious organizations to support breast cancer awareness, care, education, and research. Purchased by DS Services of America, Inc. (DS Services) in 2010, the Athena brand has enlisted musical superstars Amy Grant and Kellie Pickler to help the cause by naming them Athena® Warriors – Grant in 2012 and Pickler earlier this year. As Athena® Warriors, Grant and Pickler will both perform at a private, invitation-only “Eat. Drink. Party Pink.” event in Nashville, Tenn. on Sept. 30, 2014 to kick off October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. During the festivities, Grant will debut a new song, “Welcome Yourself.” The next day (Oct. 1), that song will be available for sale on iTunes with proceeds donated to the American Cancer Society.
“We are excited to gather in Nashville to hear a great night of music from our Athena® Warriors,” said Tom Harrington, President and CEO, DS Services. “What a great way to kick off Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We are honored that Amy is debuting her song at our event that night, and are so appreciative that she is donating proceeds from its sale to the American Cancer Society.”
“Music can be a lifeline for people,” said Grant. “Hearing the right words at the right time can be a powerful and encouraging experience and I hope this song is helpful to many. I am happy to serve as an Athena® Warrior again this year and donate proceeds from this song to the American Cancer Society. We all know someone who has suffered from this terrible disease, and I encourage everyone to do what they can to help raise awareness and funds for research.”
“Breast cancer really hit close to home for me when my “big sis,” Summer, was diagnosed at such an early age,” said Pickler. “I’m happy to say she is now cancer-free. But, so many other women continue to have to fight this disease and even more may not know they need to be aware of earlier detection than previously thought. That’s why I’m excited to be an Athena® Warrior…I want to help raise awareness so we can find a cure.”
About Athena® bottled water: Created for the Cause® by a breast cancer survivor in 2003, Athena bottled water was purchased by DS Services of America, Inc. (DS Services) in 2010. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, DS Services delivers bottled water, brewed beverages, water filtration systems and associated supplies to homes, offices, restaurants, food service organizations, convenience stores and retail locations across the U.S. Purchases of Athena bottled water have raised $2 million to fight breast cancer awareness, care, education and research. The brand supports the American Cancer Society and other organizations who share its mission. Visit athenawater.com for more information. 
About Amy Grant: Amy Grant’s career spans over 25 years and stretches from her roots in gospel into becoming an iconic pop star, songwriter, television personality and philanthropist. She has sold more than 30 million albums, had six No. 1 hits, and been awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In addition to her six GRAMMY Awards, Grant has earned 26 Dove Awards (including four Artist of the Year Awards). Her book, Mosaic: Pieces of My Life So Far, debuted in 2007. Conventional wisdom has it that Grant put Contemporary Christian music on the map. She achieved such breakthroughs as being the first Contemporary Christian artist to have a platinum record, the first to hit No. 1 on the Pop charts, and the first to perform at the GRAMMY Awards. Perhaps her greatest professional accomplishment was to open the door for a flood of other artists in pop and rock to sing about faith and soul and family and still grasp stardom. With that, her legacy as one of the most influential artists of the past couple of decades is assured. Yet her legacy will most certainly reach beyond her music. Several of her friends are breast cancer survivors, and Grant and her husband, Vince Gill, have contributed their time and voices to numerous cancer causes. As an Athena® Warrior, Grant reaches out to women battling breast cancer and to those who love them with quiet determination and true compassion. She sings about love and loss, faith and heartbreak, hope and healing. Her life is as genuine – and as beautiful – as her songs. Visit AmyGrant.com for more information. About Kellie Pickler: Award-winning country singer Kellie Pickler lives straight from her heart. Few can bridge life and art, story and song, so vibrantly and compellingly. Her rise to stardom began on “American Idol,” when she was just 19. A small-town North Carolina girl, who knows her family history made her into the strong, spunky and resilient person that she is today. Pickler’s beautiful spirit and natural good humor won the hearts of countless fans. After placing sixth on “American Idol” in 2006, she went on to record her first album, which produced three Top 20 hits, was certified Gold, and has sold more than 900,000 copies. Since then, Kellie has continued to record hit albums, perform in concert and earn the admiration and affection of countless fans serving as both an inspiration and role model. Her critically-acclaimed third album, 100 Proof, was named Rolling Stone’s Country Album of the Year in 2012. She has participated in seven USO tours thus far, and has worked with multiple charities. In 2013, Pickler competed on “Dancing with the Stars,” which she and her partner, Derek Hough, ultimately won. Soon after, she released her latest album, The Woman I Am. But despite her stardom, she remains a delightful, approachable woman with a wide-open heart. When her best friend, Summer Miller, was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 36 in 2012, Pickler knew she wanted to flight this battle alongside her. A week before Miller started chemotherapy, Pickler shaved her head in solidarity with the friend she calls her sister. She asked Athena® Water to join her in spreading awareness about breast cancer to younger women. Miller is thankfully cancer-free now. In honor of her friend, Pickler proudly serves as an Athena® Warrior and continues to fight for a cure. Visit KelliePickler.com for more information.
