CAROLEE Marks 20 Year Partnership With The Breast Cancer Research Foundation® (BCRF) With Presentation Of Largest Ever Annual Donation

NEW YORK, May 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading fashion jewelry company CAROLEE marks 20 years of partnership with The Breast Cancer Research Foundation with a check presentation of the company's largest ever annual donation.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130516/NE15673-a )

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130516/NE15673-b )

Acting BCRF Chairman Leonard Lauder, whose late wife Evelyn established the Foundation in 1993, accepted the check at The Estee Lauder Companies' corporate headquarters in New York.  "We are so grateful to have had your support from the beginning.  This wonderful partnership meant so much to Evelyn (as it does to me). It is rare to have a longstanding partner with such devotion to our cause as CAROLEE does," said Lauder.

The donation of $125,000 was funded largely by four Legacy Collections CAROLEE sold last year to mark its 40^th anniversary. The company also sponsored a design competition with The Fashion Institute of Technology and produced a collection by five student winners that benefitted BCRF. CAROLEE donated $5 for the sale of each piece from all of these special collections.

In honor of BCRF's Founder, Evelyn Lauder and in celebration of her life and legacy, CAROLEE unveiled a namesake multi-row pearl torsade.  "The Evelyn" is a piece from CAROLEE's Fall 2013 "Mirror Image" collection, both of which mark the continuation of CAROLEE's ongoing commitment to BCRF.  The opulent golden champagne crystal and pearl jewelry complements fall's rich fabrics and textures and is designed to appeal to the multi-generational audience of mothers and daughters who purchase the brand.  Again, $5 from the sale of each piece of the collection will be donated to BCRF.

A company comprised of 80% women, CAROLEE is passionate about issues affecting women. "We knew 20 years ago that we shared the BCRF goal of eliminating breast cancer in the foreseeable future, and we wanted to support its singular vision of funding research that benefits women all over the world," said Karen O'Brien, the company's Vice President of Global Marketing.  "Each year it has been exciting and gratifying to work with the amazingly dedicated BCRF team and develop new products and promotions that contribute to helping their researchers attain their ultimate goal. We congratulate BCRF on its 20^th anniversary and celebrate the major strides in breast cancer research that have been made because of its devoted work."

The full collection of CAROLEE New York and CAROLEE LUX jewelry—from colorful pearls and crystals to glass beads and semi precious stones—is available in fine department stores worldwide, on their websites and at carolee.com.  #thenNOW

ABOUT THE BREAST CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION®
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®, founded by Evelyn H. Lauder in 1993, is an independent not-for-profit organization committed to funding scientific research to achieve prevention and a cure for breast cancer in our lifetime.  In October 2012, BCRF awarded $40 million to 197 scientists across the United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Australia, and China. With 91 cents of every dollar spent by BCRF directed towards breast cancer research and awareness programs, BCRF remains one of the most fiscally responsible charities in the country. For the tenth time since 2002, it has earned 4 stars from Charity Navigator.  Additionally, BCRF is the only breast cancer organization rated an "A+" by CharityWatch.  For more information about BCRF, visit www.bcrfcure.org.

SOURCE CAROLEE