The Tug McGraw Foundation Announces 2007 Fundraising Gala

“Denim & Diamonds: An Evening with Tim McGraw and Friends" Presented by Anheuser-Busch Companies

Napa, CA Sept. 5, 2007 - - Tug McGraw Foundation (TMF) will hold its third annual fundraising gala on Friday, Nov. 2 at Grant’s Farm, the ancestral home of the Busch family located in St. Louis. Anheuser-Busch Companies is sponsoring “Denim & Diamonds: An Evening with Tim McGraw and Friends.” Proceeds will benefit TMF’s support of pioneering brain tumor research focusing on quality of life issues, medical internship and college scholarship programs, and activities promoting public awareness and understanding of brain tumors.
  
Frank Edwin “Tug” McGraw, New York Mets (1965-1974) and Philadelphia Phillies (1975-1984) pitcher and one of the most successful and well-loved closers in baseball, established this nonprofit organization before his death from a brain tumor in 2004 to help brain tumor patients, their families, friends and caregivers face the tremendous challenges that come with this disease.

Tim McGraw, Tug’s son and GRAMMY® Award-winning musician, serves as Honorary Chair of TMF Board of Directors. He and his band, the Dancehall Doctors, will perform, along with his friends and fellow recording artists Lori McKenna, Halfway to Hazard and Lance Miller. Bob Costas, Emmy® Award-winning sports commentator, will serve as host for the evening’s program. Individuals who have made a difference in the fight against brain tumors and who exemplify Tug’s “Ya Gotta Believe” spirit will also be honored. Award recipients include researchers, caregivers and brain tumor survivors, such as Bobby Murcer, retired major league baseball player (New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants and Chicago Cubs) and Emmy® Award-winning sportscaster currently with the Yankees YES Network, who will be honored with a 2007 Good Guy Award.

“Brain tumors are the leading cause of solid tumor death in children under age 20 and the third leading cause of cancer death in young adults ages 20 to 39,” said Tim McGraw. “Our foundation is committed to making life better for kids and adults who are affected by brain tumors. We couldn’t do it without the generosity and support of companies like Anheuser-Busch and people like Susie Busch-Transou, our ‘Denim & Diamonds’ event chairwoman.”

“I’m thrilled to be returning to St. Louis to host this event on behalf of Anheuser-Busch,” said Busch-Transou, co-owner and vice president of Tri-Eagle Sales, the Anheuser-Busch distributor in Tallahassee, Florida, and co-founder of QLu, a unique cause-related service business. “Our family and our company have long-standing traditions of supporting charitable organizations that improve lives, strengthen families and address the many health issues our society faces. I can’t think of a better cause than improving the quality of life for cancer survivors and their caregivers.”

Ticket Information
Individual tickets for the gala dinner and entertainment/awards program are $1,000. Tickets that include the gala dinner, program and exclusive VIP party, “Cocktails & Clydesdales” at the Busch family estate home with Tim McGraw and friends, are $2,500. Click here for tickets and/or more information. You may also speak to Andrea at TMF, (707) 255-1884 or email her at alison@tugmcgraw.org.

About the Tug McGraw Foundation
Tug McGraw Foundation (TMF) supports the Tug McGraw Center for Neuro-Oncology Quality of Life Research at the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina.  The Foundation awards research grants specifically focused on enhancing the quality of life for children and adults with brain tumors, and their caregivers, by addressing the physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and spiritual impact of the disease.  TMF also supports their Diamond 45 Scholarship Program for college students across the country, the Tug McGraw Pre-Medical Internship at Duke, and the Tim McGraw Medical Education Scholarship for female student athletes attending Duke University Medical School.  TMF is committed to furthering collaborations and alliances among brain tumor organizations to best serve patients and their caregivers, and to successfully advance research efforts.  For more information, visit www.tugmcgraw.org.

About Anheuser Busch Companies
Anheuser-Busch Companies’ operations and resources are focused on adding to life's enjoyment not only through the responsible consumption of beer by adults, but through theme park entertainment and packaging. Anheuser-Busch Inc. is the leading American brewer, holding a 48.4 percent share of U.S. beer sales. The company brews the world’s largest-selling beers, Budweiser and Bud Light. Anheuser-Busch also owns a 50-percent share in Grupo Modelo, Mexico’s leading brewer, and a 27-percent share in China brewer Tsingtao, whose namesake beer brand is the country’s best- selling premium beer. Anheuser-Busch ranked No. 1 among beverage companies in FORTUNE Magazine’s Most Admired U.S. and Global Companies lists in 2007. Anheuser-Busch is one of the largest theme park operators in the United States, a major manufacturer of aluminum cans and one of the world’s largest recyclers of aluminum cans. Anheuser-Busch also has interests in malt production, rice milling, real estate development, turf farming, metalized and paper label printing, bottle production and transportation services. For more information, visit www.anheuser-busch.com.

About Grant’s Farm
The Farm takes its name from our 18th President of the United States, Ulysses S. Grant. In the 1850s, Grant founded and farmed a portion of the 281 acres. Today, this land is home to Grant's Farm, operated by Anheuser-Busch Inc., and is preserved as a living symbol of the Busch family's love for animals and Anheuser-Busch's commitment to wildlife conservation and preservation. Built in 1913, the Bauernhof was the first building constructed on the Busch family estate, modeled after a typical 19th century Bavarian farm, complete with stables and a carriage house. The Farm serves as home to more than 1,000 animals representing more than 100 different species from six continents, including the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales. For more information, visit www.grantsfarm.com.

MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES:

Interviews are available upon request. 

A Press Event, including a media briefing with photo/video ops, will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, November 2, 2007, at Grant’s Farm in St. Louis.

For interview inquiries, press credentialing and advance media registration, contact Mike Beyer, (773) 463-4211 (o), (312) 961-2502 (c), mike.beyer@ritzcommunications.com or Patty Keiler, (312) 550-5394, patty.keiler@ritzcommunications.com.