Mariska Hargitay Joins Lee National Denim Day as the 2007 Ambassador on Behalf of the Entertainment Industry Foundation

Merriam, KS (PRWEB) May 10, 2007 -- Emmy Award-winning actress Mariska Hargitay has been named the 2007 Ambassador for Lee National Denim Day -- one of the country's largest single-day fundraisers for breast cancer--which benefits the Women's Cancer Programs of the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF). As this year's ambassador, Hargitay brings a strong personal commitment to help in the fight against the disease.



In her role as ambassador, Hargitay will appear in a public service campaign encouraging people to wear denim on Friday, October 5th in exchange for a $5 donation to the Women's Cancer Programs of EIF. Funds will go to groundbreaking early detection and treatment research for breast cancer, as well as support grassroots advocacy services for the disease. Since the creation of Denim Day eleven years ago, more than $65 million has been raised for the cause.
   
"I'm honored to join Lee Jeans and the Entertainment Industry Foundation as an ambassador of this worthwhile campaign," said Hargitay, who is supporting the program in honor of the many friends and family who are breast cancer survivors. "Lee National Denim Day is an easy way for friends, family, and co-workers to support pioneering breast-cancer research and unite in offering hope to all women who must fight this battle."

Net proceeds from Lee National Denim Day will help advance some of the most promising breast cancer treatment and early detection research in the country. Specifically, Lee Denim Day funds will be used by the Women's Cancer Programs for:

Treatment - Establishing the Lee Jeans Translational Laboratories to accelerate promising treatment research to treat cancer patients more safely and increase patient access to some of the most significant clinical trials in the nation. (See attached map for medical institution locations.)

Early Detection - Supporting the EIF's Breast Cancer Biomarker Discovery Project, a multi-year effort led by world-class scientists to develop a blood test for early detection of breast cancer. (See attached map for medical institution locations.)

Grassroots Support - Assisting the National Breast Cancer Coalition Fund in creating science-based breast cancer resources, both web and print, to help individuals with breast cancer make more informed decisions.

"As Lee National Denim Day enters year 12, we're very excited to be able to focus on medical research. EIF's Breast Cancer Biomarker Discovery Project and the creation of the Lee Jeans Translational Laboratories are two projects we are proud to bring to Lee National Denim Day participants who have been giving for so many years," said Liz Cahill, VP of Marketing/Communications for Lee Jeans. "Lee is looking forward to putting this money to work to help make a difference in the millions of lives affected by breast cancer."

Renowned photographer Jim Wright generously donated his time to photograph Ms. Hargitay for the campaign. Wright has worked with some of the most distinguished faces in Hollywood. The PSA will appear in major fashion and lifestyle magazines August through October.

Last year, more than 18,000 companies across the nation participated in this single day fundraiser and more than $5 million was raised for the fight against breast cancer. Groups and individuals that register by visiting www.denimday.com or calling 1.800.521.5533 will receive a comprehensive participation kit, which includes educational materials about breast cancer in addition to supplies for easy coordination.

About Lee Jeans
Lee® Jeans is a division of VF Corporation. (NYSE: VFC). Headquartered in Merriam, Kan., Lee manufactures and markets brand denim, casual pants, shirts, fleece and knit apparel. A brand committed to the community, Lee Jeans founded Lee National Denim Day®, one of the largest single-day fundraisers for breast cancer. For more information about Lee, visit www.lee.com.

About EIF and the Women's Cancer Research Fund
A philanthropic leader of the entertainment industry, the Entertainment Industry Foundation has distributed hundreds of millions of dollars - and provided countless volunteer hours - to support charitable initiatives, addressing some of the most critical issues facing society today. The Women's Cancer Research Fund is an initiative of the Entertainment Industry Foundation that supports innovative research, education, and outreach directed at the development of more effective approaches to the early diagnosis, treatment and prevention of all women's cancer. The initiative was established by Chairs Rita Wilson, Tom Hanks, Kate Capshaw and Steven Spielberg, along with Founders Kelly Chapman Meyer, Anne Douglas, Quinn Ezralow, Marion Laurie and Jamie Tisch. For more information, visit www.eifoundation.org.

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