JENKINTOWN, Pa., May 11, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- The National Retail Federation estimates the average consumer spent more than $100 on Mother's Day gifts in 2005. This year, consider putting those valuable Mother's Day dollars towards a great cause and give mom something you can't put a price on: the life-changing experience of participating in the Breast Cancer 3-Day with her loved ones.
The Breast Cancer 3-Day is a 60-mile, three-day walk that benefits the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund. Breast Cancer 3-Day participants commit to raising a minimum of $2,200 and walking an average of 20 miles a day during each three-day event, raising awareness in communities and generating funds for research, education and community outreach programs. In addition to the three-day event, training starts months in advance providing hours of quality time with mom.
"The Breast Cancer 3-Day is about the journey," said Nancy Mercurio, spokesperson for the Breast Cancer 3-Day. "The memories forged walking with a loved one over 60 miles and three days last a lifetime."
In 1999, Mercurio lost her own mother to breast cancer. Three years later, Mercurio walked 13 three-day breast cancer events in memory of her mother.
"In 2002 I walked more than 780 miles and raised nearly $25,000 in honor of my mother," Mercurio said. "While it was an extremely rewarding experience, I would have loved to be able to walk at least one of those miles with my mom."
Registration for the 2006 Breast Cancer 3-Day is available by visiting www.the3day.org or calling 1.800.996.3DAY (3329). Registration is limited and participants are encouraged to sign up now to save a spot and receive training and fundraising materials to make their journey a success. The Breast Cancer 3-Day is expected to raise millions of dollars in 2006, enabling event beneficiaries -- the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and the National Philanthropic Trust -- to fund breast cancer research, education and community outreach programs.
The 2006 schedule includes: Boston (August 4-6), Michigan (August 11-13), Twin Cities, Minn. (August 18-20), Seattle (August 25-27), Chicago (September 8-10), Kansas City, Mo. (September 15-17), Philadelphia (October 6-8), Tampa Bay, Fla. (October 13-15), Atlanta (October 20-22), Dallas/Ft. Worth (October 27-29), Arizona (November 3-5) and San Diego (November 10-12).
About the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
The Komen Foundation is an international organization with a network of more than 75,000 active volunteers working through more than 100 local Affiliates in more than 15,000 communities to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease. A global leader in the fight against breast cancer, the Komen Foundation fulfills its mission through support of innovative breast cancer research grants, meritorious awards and educational, scientific and community outreach programs around the world. Through fiscal year 2005, the Komen Foundation, together with its Affiliate network, corporate partners and generous donors has invested $630 million in breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment.
About the National Philanthropic Trust
The National Philanthropic Trust, the event manager, is an independent public charity dedicated to increasing philanthropy in our society. Founded in 1996, NPT is one of the 100 largest charities in the United States. Since its inception, NPT has raised nearly $1 billion in charitable assets, and made more than 12,000 grants to U.S. and international charities totaling $435 million.
Note to Editors: To schedule an interview with Nancy Mercurio, please contact Wendy Fitch at WFitch@beap.com or Andy Woolard at AWoolard@beap.com.