Lee National Denim Day(R) Offers Multi-Million Dollar Donation to Komen Foundation

MERRIAM, Kan., Oct. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Lee Jeans presented the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation with a check for $8 million. The funds were raised by Americans nationwide who wore jeans to work in exchange for a $5 donation to the fight against breast cancer. Approximately 29,000 companies -- a program record -- registered to participate in the largest single-day fundraiser for breast cancer. The 10-year total raised by Lee National Denim Day reached more than $60 million. All donations go directly to the Komen Foundation for breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment programs.

Today, at Lee Jeans' headquarters, actors James Denton and Ricardo Antonio Chavira, the 2005 spokespeople for Lee National Denim Day, joined representatives of Lee Jeans and the Komen Foundation in celebrating this fundraising milestone with employees. Nancy Brinker, founder of the Komen Foundation, accepted a check on behalf of the organization. Across the country, participating companies and organizations hosted similar celebrations, often recognizing breast cancer survivors and remembering those who have lost their battle with the disease.

"Today marks a significant milestone for Lee National Denim Day and the fight against breast cancer," said Kathy Collins, Lee Jeans vice president of marketing communications. "In 10 years, Lee National Denim Day has generated $60 million and has opened the lines of communication about a disease that is still diagnosed in more than 200,000 women each year. We will continue this fight against breast cancer until a cure is found."

Since the program's inception in 1996, Lee National Denim Day has seen millions of participants ranging from large corporations to schools and small organizations. Denton and Chavira embraced their roles as spokespeople in memory of their mothers, who both lost their battle to breast cancer. Not wanting others to have to face what their mothers did, Denton and Chavira have worked to use their visibility to raise awareness of the disease.

Lee Jeans is a division of VF Corp. . Headquartered in Merriam, Kan., Lee manufactures and markets branded denim, casual pants, shirts, fleece and knit apparel. VF Corp. is the world's largest apparel company and a leader in jeanswear, intimate apparel, knitwear, workwear, playwear, daypacks and swimwear. Its principal brands include Lee, Wrangler, Riders, Rustler, CHIC, Gitano, Vanity Fair, Vassarette, Bestform, Lily of France, Lee Sport, Healthtex, JanSport, Eastpak and The North Face.

The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation was established in 1982 by Nancy Brinker to honor the memory of her sister, Susan G. Komen, who died from breast cancer at the age of 36. The Foundation is the nation's largest private funding source for breast cancer research and community programs. In addition to funding research, Komen Affiliates fund innovative and collaborative breast cancer education, screening and treatment projects for the medically underserved in communities across the country.

Media Contacts: Rachel Bullock, [phone], [e-mail] Accurso, [phone], [e-mail] Evergreen & Partners Public Relations