ADVISORY for 7 a.m. Saturday, May 7, 2005

      Stitch an Inch to WIN Against Breast Cancer at 5K Revlon Run/Walk for Women: Interactive NeedleArts Exhibit Traveling U.S. is Going the Extra Mile to Raise Funds, Awareness in Fight Against Breast Cancer; On Display May 7 at LA Coliseum

       LOS ANGELES, CA May 5 (AScribe Newswire) -- Some people will be walking. Some people will be running. At this year's Revlon Run/Walk for Women at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum at Exposition Park, the estimated 50,000 people expected at the event can also raise funds for the fight against breast cancer in another fun and creative way.  

       On Saturday May 7, 2005, The National NeedleArts Association (TNNA) and the Women's Information Network Against Breast Cancer (WIN ABC) will be holding a "Stitch to WIN Against Breast Cancer" fundraiser at the Los Angeles Coliseum as part of the Revlon Run/Walk.  

       From 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., people are invited to participate in an interactive exhibit traveling throughout the United States. Event participants can come by WIN Against Breast Cancer's booth and stitch an inch on any of three needlearts wall hangings; knitted, cross-stitch or needlepoint.  

       The exhibit has been developed and underwritten by TNNA in support of WIN Against Breast Cancer, the national nonprofit organization that was instrumental in the creation and reissuance of the first fundraising postage stamp in United States history.   Each wall hanging depicts the Breast Cancer Research Stamp issued by the United States Postal Service in 1998.   The first-class Breast Cancer Research Stamp is the first stamp of its kind in the U.S. dedicated to raising funds for a special cause, and so far the United States Postal Service has sold over 600 million stamps, raising over $45 million for breast cancer research.   The awareness raised as a result of this historic stamp designed to save lives continues to be priceless.

       "There is a great energy to the Revlon Run/Walk and to every Stitch to WIN Against Breast Cancer event," said Betsy Mullen, Founder, President/CEO of WIN Against Breast Cancer. "This is the first time in our 11 year history that we've collaborated on a broad-based national campaign with another organization to raise vital funds in support of WIN ABC's efforts in the fight against breast cancer. We are extremely grateful to TNNA and all of its wonderful members and volunteers.   Everyone who participates in the Revlon Run/Walk and Stitch to WIN Against Breast Cancer campaign is making a positive impact in our collective fight against a disease that impacts over 218,000 new breast cancer patients a year in the United States alone."

       "You don't have to be experienced stitchers to participate in this fundraiser," explained Patty Parrish, Executive Director of The National NeedleArts Association. "In fact, you don't even need to know how to stitch."  

       For a suggested donation, attendees can stitch an inch while they learn more about breast health from WIN Against Breast Cancer staff members and volunteers. Participants will also have the opportunity to enter a special spa giveaway for two to St. Lucia, provided by Spa-Quest.com and The Body Holiday Le Sport. All of the funds raised will go directly to benefit the WIN Against Breast Cancer organization.

       "The Breast Cancer Research Stamp, first unveiled at the Revlon Run/Walk for Women in LA in 1998, is one of the most successful stamps in the history of the U.S. Postal Service.  It confirms our belief that many people who might not be able to write a large check to support a worthy cause, like the idea of being able to make a difference by giving pennies at a time when purchasing the stamp," Mullen said. "Those pennies have added up to over $45 million in funding for breast cancer research.  And now, The National NeedleArts Association is helping support WIN Against Breast Cancer by having people stitch one inch at a time on the special wall hangings traveling the country as part of the Stitch to WIN Against Breast Cancer campaign."

       The WIN Against Breast Cancer organization's mission is to increase public awareness about breast cancer and to ensure that individuals from all cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds receive rapid access to quality health care and state-of-the-art support, education and information about the disease.   To register and join Team WIN ABC for the Revlon Run/Walk for Women and to learn more about WIN ABC, visit their website at www.winabc.org.

       The Revlon Run/Walk was created in 1993 through the committed and collective efforts of the Entertainment Industry Foundation, Lilly Tartikoff, Ronald O. Perelman, and The Davis Group. The Revlon Run/Walk For Women has grown to become one of the nation's largest 5K fundraising events. To date, the Run/Walks (LA/NY) have distributed over $30 million for cancer research, counseling, and outreach programs. Thanks in part to these funds, new treatments are being developed and lives are being saved through the work of Run/Walk beneficiaries such as the WIN Against Breast Cancer organization.  

       Now, at this year's event, participants can not only walk or run the 5k distance, they will also be able to stitch an inch to benefit WIN Against Breast Cancer.  The funds raised from this special interactive needlearts exhibit will go miles in supporting WIN ABC's mission while also introducing new people from across the United States to the wonderful world of the needlearts.

       This special "Stitch to WIN Against Breast Cancer" fundraiser is part of a two-year national campaign being sponsored by The National NeedleArts Association.  The association is a professional organization representing the hand needlearts industry.   The campaign hopes to raise awareness of the Breast Cancer Research Stamp and support for the WIN Against Breast Cancer organization and the nationally acclaimed programs and services that WIN ABC provides for breast cancer patients, their families and the public-at-large.  

       "Through the needlearts, we hope to help WIN Against Breast Cancer in all of their endeavors," comments TNNA's Patty Parrish.

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       CONTACTS:

       For more information about The National NeedleArts Association and how to host a Stitch to WIN Against Breast Cancer event, contact Patty Parrish at 800-889-8662 or Pparrish@offinger.com or visit www.TNNA.org.

       For information about WIN Against Breast Cancer, its programs and services, visit www.winabc.org or contact Betsy Mullen at betsy@winabc.org; winabc@aol.com or 1-866-2-WIN-ABC.

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Last Updated: 05/12/2005