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- Posted Wednesday October 5, 2011
Oct. 20-23 Saks Fifth Avenue charity shopping weekend supports TGen
'KEY TO THE CURE' raises funds for breast and ovarian cancer
research
PHOENIX, Ariz. - Oct. 5, 2011 - At first blush, it's just a simple
white t-shirt with a design in the shape of a pink heart. But when
former American Idol star Jennifer Hudson dons it, the Saks Fifth
Avenue exclusive apparel takes on a whole new importance.
Saks Fifth Avenue shoppers at Biltmore Fashion Park can support
breast and ovarian cancer research at the Translational Genomics
Research Institute (TGen) Oct. 20-23 by purchasing the t-shirt
during the store's 2011 KEY TO THE CURE campaign.
TGen is one of the non-profit organizations nationwide supported by
Saks' Friends and Family charity shopping weekend, which over the
past 12 years has raised more than $33 million for cancer research
through the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF) Women's Cancer
Research Fund.
"The KEY TO THE CURE event serves as a call to action for hundreds
of generous volunteers and contributors whose time, energy and
charitable gifts provide hope for prevention and, someday, a cure
for women's cancers" said TGen Foundation President Michael
Bassoff.
"Scientists and physicians at TGen are working with great urgency
to develop earlier diagnoses and smarter treatments for women
battling cancer. TGen's focus on developing and delivering
precision medicine - treatment based on a patient's genetic make-up
- will enable physicians to deliver care more effectively and
efficiently," Bassoff said.
More than 230,000 American women will be diagnosed this year with
breast cancer; and nearly 22,000 with ovarian cancer. Nearly
40,000 women in the U.S. will die this year from breast cancer; and
more than 15,000 will pass away from ovarian cancer.
Grammy and Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson, the EIF ambassador
for this year's KEY TO THE CURE campaign, highlighted the
importance of fundraising to defeat the devastating effects of
these cancers.
"Women's cancers have touched all of our lives," Jennifer Hudson
said. "I am proud to join the Entertainment Industry Foundation and
Saks Fifth Avenue in their efforts to raise funds for important
research through EIF's Women's Cancer Research Fund."
Throughout October, shoppers at the Saks' Biltmore Fashion Park
store, 2446 E. Camelback Road, may contribute by buying a $35 KEY
TO THE CURE t-shirt created by celebrated designer Elie
Tahari. All proceeds from t-shirts sold at the Phoenix store
will benefit TGen.
In addition, Saks will donate to TGen 2 percent of all proceeds
from sales at the Phoenix store and its KEY TO THE CURE events
during the Oct. 20-23 Friends and Family charity shopping
weekend.
Steve Sadove, Chairman and CEO, Saks Fifth Avenue, said:
"Partnering with Elie Tahari,
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, and Jennifer Hudson - as
well as obtaining the continued support of charities throughout the
country, our clients, vendors and Associates - is a testament to
KEY TO THE CURE's amazing success in uniting our communities to
raise critical funds and awareness about this cause year after
year."
"I am so proud to be working with my friends at Saks and designing
this year's Key to the Cure t-shirt - raising money to find a cure
for women's cancers is something that is deeply personal to me,"
said Elie Tahari. "I am thrilled to have Jennifer Hudson as the
face of the campaign, she is not only an incredibly talented
individual, but someone who is committed to making a difference and
helping others."
Ms. Hudson will appear in national public service announcements
wearing the Elie Tahari limited edition T-shirt. KEY TO THE CURE
public service announcements also will appear in major fashion and
lifestyle magazines in October, including Arizona Foothills
Magazine.
