Press Releases

The American Cancer Society announced today that 28 companies had been recognized as 2006 Relay For Life(R) National Corporate Team Program participants. In 2005, 16 corporations and their 475,000 employees raised nearly $6 million through this program.

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life National Corporate Team Program gives companies an opportunity to form teams across the nation to support the Society's mission. A company qualifies for the program when it has more than 50 teams in two or more states and has raised more than $100,000 during one calendar year, designates a volunteer leader to track results, distributes materials and motivates teams through company channels.

Companies participating this year include American General Life & Accident Insurance Company; AT&T; Bank of America; BAE Systems; Booz Allen Hamilton; COUNTRY(R) Insurance & Financial Services; dressbarn; Fred Meyer Stores; GE Healthcare; GEICO; Hospital Corporation of American (HCA); JELD-WEN; KPMG; maurices; MetLife; PricewaterhouseCoopers; Progress Energy; Quest Diagnostics Incorporated; SAM'S CLUB; Swift & Co.; Target; Tyson Foods Inc.; United Community Banks, Inc.; Wachovia; Walgreens; Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.; Weight Watchers; and Weyerhaeuser.

Relay For Life, the American Cancer Society's signature activity, plays a key role in meeting the Society's mission to eliminate cancer as a major health problem. Since Relay began in 1985, the event has spread to more than 4,700 communities in the United States and around the world, involving millions of Americans and raising more than $1.5 billion. Relay For Life saves lives through Society-funded research and early detection and prevention education, provides support in time of need through Society programs and services, empowers people to fight back against cancer through Relay and advocacy efforts, and allows "hearts to heal" as Relay recognizes friends and neighbors who have been profoundly affected by cancer.

Relay For Life is a fun-filled overnight event that mobilizes communities throughout the United States to celebrate survivors, remember loved ones, and raise money for the fight against cancer. Teams join together to walk or run laps to honor those lost to the disease, celebrate those who have survived, and heighten awareness of cancer prevention and early detection. More than three million people -- about one in 100 Americans -- will take part in Relays this year. Half a million of them are cancer survivors.

"The Society is grateful to all the participants in the Relay For Life National Corporate Team Program," said Sally West Brooks, RN, MA, chair of the American Cancer Society volunteer National Board of Directors. "When these companies and their employees support the American Cancer Society through Relay, they empower us to make a real difference in the lives of every American facing cancer -- and to make significant strides toward a future in which the disease no longer threatens the people we love."

The American Cancer Society is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by saving lives, diminishing suffering and preventing cancer through research, education, advocacy and service. Founded in 1913 and with national headquarters in Atlanta, the Society has 13 regional Divisions and local offices in 3,400 communities, involving millions of volunteers across the United States. For more information on cancer call the American Cancer Society's hot line at 1-800-ACS-2345, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or visit http://www.cancer.org/.

SOURCE: American Cancer Society