DALLAS, July 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Depend (www.depend.com), the No. 1 brand in incontinence protection, announced at last night's 21st annual ESPY Awards that it's a wrap for the Depend Players Challenge – an online competition and part of The Great American Try On in which pro football stars DeMarcus Ware and Wes Welker showcased their competitive spirit and went head-to-head to earn the most online votes to win the largest of two charitable donations in their names to The V Foundation for Cancer Research. America voted and it's a touchdown for Welker. Kimberly-Clark's Depend brand will donate $50,000 in his name and $25,000 in Ware's name for a combined total donation of $75,000 to The V Foundation to fund prostate cancer research.

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This marks the second year that Ware and Welker participated in The Great American Try On and that the Depend brand has supported The V Foundation. In 2012, Ware and Welker tried on the Depend Real Fit briefs under their football uniforms to highlight the brief's underwear-like look, fit and feel as well as just how active people can be while wearing them. Since 2012, the Depend brand and Kimberly-Clark have donated $325,000 to The V Foundation.

"Just as I predicted, I crushed DeMarcus in the Depend Players Challenge. America definitely had my back on this one and I appreciate everyone's votes," said Welker.  "I'm so honored that Depend will donate $50,000 to The V Foundation on my behalf."

The V Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to saving lives by helping to fund critical cancer research, including prostate cancer, a leading cause of bladder control issues in men.

Ware explained, "While I'm disappointed Wes earned more votes than me, we're both victors in the Depend Players Challenge. It's great to be able to support a good cause and have $25,000 donated in my name to the real winner here – The V Foundation."

In addition to the pro football stars' fans, Ware and Welker called on a few famous friends to vote for them at TheGreatAmericanTryOn.com. Entertainer Snoop Lion, fellow football stars Von Miller and Kyle Rudolph, race car drivers Scott Dixon and Juan Pablo Montoya, actor Omar Miller, dancer Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Olympian Mary Lou Retton all lent their support to help Ware and Welker win charitable donations to The V Foundation and show there's no better time to join The Great American Try On.

"Thank you to everyone across the country who cast their votes in the Depend Players Challenge," said Elizabeth Metz, Depend brand director, Kimberly-Clark. "For the second year in a row, these athletes put forth a great effort to help us continue changing the conversation around bladder control issues while supporting an important cause."

Visit www.TheGreatAmericanTryOn.com for more information about The Great American Try On and request a sample of the Depend Real Fit briefs. 

About the Depend Brand and Kimberly-Clark
Launched in 1984 by Kimberly-Clark Corporation, the Depend brand is the market leader in the adult incontinence category in North America.  Over the years, the Depend brand has evolved with its consumers to provide the best protection⁺ and lend them the confidence they need to lead normal, active lives. For more information or to request a product sample, visit www.depend.com.

Kimberly-Clark (NYSE: KMB) and its well-known global brands are an indispensable part of life for people in more than 175 countries. Every day, nearly a quarter of the world's population trust K-C's brands and the solutions they provide to enhance their health, hygiene and well-being. With brands such as Kleenex, Scott, Huggies, Pull-Ups, Kotex and Depend, Kimberly-Clark holds the No. 1 or No. 2 share position in more than 80 countries. To keep up with the latest K-C news and to learn more about the Company's 141-year history of innovation, visit www.kimberly-clark.com or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

About The V Foundation for Cancer Research
The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, legendary North Carolina State basketball coach and ESPN commentator. Since 1993, The Foundation has funded more than $100 million in cancer research grants nationwide. It awards 100 percent of all direct cash donations directly to cancer research and related programs. Administrative and fundraising expenses are paid by their endowment. The Foundation distributes grants through a competitive awards process strictly supervised by a Scientific Advisory Board. For more information on The V Foundation or to make a donation, please visit www.jimmyv.org.

⁺Among those with a preference.

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SOURCE Kimberly-Clark