Retailers join to support breast cancer research

This October, retailers nationwide are joining the fight against breast cancer by offering pink ribbon products that benefit research, treatment and education programs at City of Hope, one of the nation’s leading cancer research and treatment centers. From skin and hair care treatments to apparel to office products, consumers can feel good about their purchases and help support lifesaving cancer research.

“We’re grateful for the tremendous support and commitment from our corporate partners to help speed research into discoveries for new, more effective breast cancer treatments,” said Steve Martin, associate vice president, marketing, City of Hope. “These programs have a widespread appeal because it engages consumers to become directly involved and actively participate in breast cancer awareness and support, a cause that affects the medical community, survivors and their families and friends.”

This fall, consumers can easily support breast cancer research by purchasing products in local retail stores. The sale of these items is expected to raise approximately $900,000 by the end of 2010 for the Breast Cancer Program at City of Hope.

• Post-it^® Super Sticky Notes will donate 50 cents from every specially marked pink ribbon three-pack and $.20 from every specially marked single-pack.
• Sanford office products will donate 10 cents from the sale of each specially marked Write for Hope Paper Mate FlexGrip pens and pencils; 10 cents from each specially marked pink pearl eraser; 10 cents from each Expo pen; 20 cents from each specially marked Liquid Paper DryLine; 10 cents from each specially marked Parker pen; 50 cents from each specially marked Rolodex management product; $1 from any 2,400 specially marked portfolio products; 10 cents from each specially marked Sharpie Pink highlighters and markers; and 10 cents from each specially marked Uni-Ball pen. Collectively, Sanford aims to donate at least $720,000 for the 2009-2010 promotion.
• Specially marked pink ribbon Mead At-a-Glance and Cambridge products, available at Office Superstores, Drug Channels and other retailers. In addition, Mead will donate over $300,000.
• Between August 1 and December 31, 2009, Sutter Home will donate $1 for each capsule that consumers collect and send from any Sutter Home wine top. The campaign is projected to generate up to $100,000 in 2009.
• Lather skin and body care company will donate $5 from the sale of each Sandalwood Rose Soap and $12 from the sale of each Soap for Hope Gift Set.
• From mid-September to mid-November, specially marked pink mushroom packs will be available in participating retailers nationwide. The Mushroom Council donated $50,000 to City of Hope’s research on mushrooms and breast cancer.
• TIGI^®/S Factor will donate $2 from the sale of every Wonderful Tonight conditioner to City of Hope in the “Dream for a Cure” campaign.
• Kenra has donated $25,000 from the upcoming sales of each “Limited Edition” pink “Breast Cancer Awareness” Volume Spray.
• Recently launched women’s sports apparel company KALYX Technologies is supporting women’s cancers through the sale of specially marked calendars, sports bras, athletic apparel and artwork, through December 31, 2010. The first of many products to come is the Team KALYX calendar. $1 from the sale of each calendar will benefit breast cancer research. Calendar sales end December 31, 2010, up to $5,000.
• Albertsons, Save Mart and Bashas’ are also supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month activities through a variety of in-store promotions, product placements and sponsorships. They have generated $500,000 for City of Hope’s Breast Cancer Program since 2007.

In 2009, an estimated 192,370 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to occur in women in the US. City of Hope’s Breast Cancer Program aims to improve prevention, detection and treatments through compassionate, comprehensive care that targets the tumor while causing fewer side effects. City of Hope is a pioneer in researching breast cancer therapies such as Herceptin and Rituxan in the treatment of breast cancer.