Fashion Bug® Launches National Fundraising Initiative

BENSALEM, Pa., Oct. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- During the month of October, leading women's specialty retailer Fashion Bug will begin a fundraising initiative designed specifically to provide educational resources and support services for the 230,000 women who are annually diagnosed with breast cancer.  The initiative is in partnership with Living Beyond Breast Cancer (LBBC), a national, 501(c)(3) organization headquartered outside of Philadelphia, PA.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111007/NY82592)

Throughout Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, all Fashion Bug stores across the country will donate 100% of the profits from the sale of the Fashion Bug Pink Ribbon Tee to support Living Beyond Breast Cancer's educational resource "Guide for the Newly Diagnosed" and its Survivors' Helpline, a personalized matching service that connects women in similar circumstances in a confidential setting.  In addition, Fashion Bug customers will be given the opportunity to "Round Up" their purchase at the register to the next dollar, donating the difference to Living Beyond Breast Cancer.

"We are proud to announce our partnership with Living Beyond Breast Cancer and our company's involvement and commitment to this notable cause," says Fashion Bug president, MaryEllen MacDowell. "Fashion Bug is thrilled to have the opportunity to assist Living Beyond Breast Cancer in its twentieth year of delivering educational programs and support services to all women affected by breast cancer. The important mission of the organization and the respect it has around the world compelled us to select LBBC as a charitable partner."

"Every two minutes a woman's awareness of breast cancer changes forever, because every two minutes of every day, of every month, of every year, a woman is diagnosed with a form of this disease," says Jean Sachs, MSS, MLSP and CEO of Living Beyond Breast Cancer.  "Over 230,000 women are diagnosed every year in the United States.  The generosity of our friends at Fashion Bug will provide the funding to reach more of these women than ever before and to give them immediate emotional support and comprehensive information to navigate the first days, weeks and months after diagnosis."

For the seventh year in a row, Living Beyond Breast Cancer received Charity Navigator's highest rating of four-stars, awarded only to those organizations that exceed industry standards and outperform most other charities within its cause.

The Fashion Bug Pink Ribbon Tee retails for $16.99 (misses) and $19.99 (plus) and is available at Fashion Bug locations throughout the United States.

For more information, imagery or to request product samples, please contact [email protected] or [email protected].

ABOUT FASHION BUG

With nearly 700 specialty stores nationwide, Fashion Bug offers the best fashion trends, wardrobe basics, shoes, accessories, intimates and more for plus, misses and juniors size women at prices that fit her budget. Fashion Bug is owned and operated by Charming Shoppes, Inc. For more information about Fashion Bug and to see and shop the latest fashion assortment, please visit FashionBug.com.  

ABOUT LIVING BEYOND BREAST CANCER

For twenty years, Living Beyond Breast Cancer (LBBC) has been empowering women to live as long as possible with the best quality of life regardless of educational background, social support or financial means. Founded in 1991, LBBC has been committed to providing national educational programs and services that include a website, lbbc.org; a toll-free Survivors' Helpline, (888) 753-LBBC (5222); national conferences; free teleconferences; networking programs; quarterly newsletters; publications for medically underserved women; healthcare-provider trainings; recordings and the Paula A. Seidman Library and Resource Center.

Living Beyond Breast Cancer's Guide for the Newly Diagnosed helps women navigate the first few days, weeks and months after a breast cancer diagnosis. It focuses on medical, emotional and practical concerns with the goal of helping women understand the biology of breast cancer, the choices they face, questions they need to ask to make informed decisions and available resources.

Living Beyond Breast Cancer's toll-free Survivors' Helpline, (888) 753-5222, is staffed by women whose lives have been directly affected by breast cancer who have been trained to offer peer support, information and hope in a confidential setting. A personalized matching service in both English and Spanish can connect women with someone in similar circumstances, similar in age, of the same ethnic background or other factors important to the caller.

SOURCE Fashion Bug