Tempur-Pedic International Inc. (NYSE: TPX), the leading manufacturer, marketer and distributor of premium mattresses and pillows worldwide, today announces the Tempur-Pedic Hugs Back campaign, featuring a limited edition version of the company's popular My Tempur-Pedic Teddy Bear®.
Net proceeds from sales of the bear will go to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, the nation's leading pancreatic cancer advocacy organization, to help fund research for the deadly disease. Pancreatic cancer has the highest mortality rate of all cancers, with a five year survival rate of just 5 percent. In 2009, over 42,000 Americans will be diagnosed with the disease.
"This disease is devastating for many families and the statistics one faces when diagnosed are startling," explained Rick Anderson, president of Tempur-Pedic North America. "Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive forms of cancer, yet is under-funded and lacks the same extent of public awareness that other forms of cancer have - something that we at Tempur-Pedic hope to help change with this initiative."
The disease claims the lives of over 35,000 Americans annually. Actor Patrick Swayze, political columnist William Safire and NCAA president Myles Brand are among those who recently have succumbed to pancreatic cancer.