SAKS FIFTH AVENUE HOUSTON AND CANCERFORWARD 

TEAM UP FOR THE KEY TO THE CURE CHARITY SHOPPING WEEKEND

Kick Off Event to be Held on Thursday, October 21, 2010

HOUSTON - To help raise both money and awareness for cancer survivorship, Saks Fifth Avenue Houston and CancerForward: The Foundation For Cancer Survivors will host the 2010 Key To The Cure, a charity shopping weekend taking place at Saks Fifth Avenue Houston, Thursday, October 21 through Sunday,
October 24.

To launch this year’s event, Saks Fifth Avenue Houston will host Key to the Cure Kickoff 2010 on Thursday October 21, a cocktail party featuring libations, hors d’oeuvres, live entertainment and, of course, shopping.  The evening will also honor 15 Houstonians, all of whom are both civic leaders and cancer survivors.  The honorees include: Kelli and Eddy Blanton, Sr., Jenee Jongebloed Bobbora, Reverend Suzette T. Caldwell, Robert Del Grande, Aileen Gordon, Linda Hunsaker, Steve Lasher, Cora Sue Mach, Denise and Bill Monteleone, Shannon Chandler O’Brien, Randy Powers, David Solomon, Donna Grace Vallone, Laura Ward and Former Texas Governor
Mark W. White. 

“We are so proud to have such an amazing group of Houstonians to honor at the inaugural fundraising event for CancerForward.  These individuals have fought their illnesses with bravery and grace and have given of their time, talents and resources to help other cancer survivors,” said Beth Sanders Moore, Founder of CancerForward.  Ms. Moore went on to say, “The courage and spirit of our fifteen Forward Movers distinguishes them as role models for the thousands of our friends and family members who will be diagnosed with cancer this year.”

Key to the Cure Kickoff 2010 which will be held at Saks Fifth Avenue Galleria and will begin at 6:30pm, is being chaired by Kathryn and Jeff Smith.  All net proceeds from the event will benefit CancerForward as well as a percentage of sales from the charity shopping weekend.

In addition, Saks will also offer a limited-edition Key To The Cure T-shirt designed by Donna Karan, available beginning Friday, October 1 and retailing for $35 in Saks stores, Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH stores and on saks.com. 100% of the purchase price of each shirt sold will be donated to local charity partners.

 Saks Fifth Avenue initiated its charity shopping weekend in 1999.  Since then, the company has donated over $33 million to women’s cancer research and treatment organizations throughout the United States. Organizations benefiting from these funds include: The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Entertainment Industry Foundation’s Women’s Cancer Research Fund, Cleveland Clinic, Boston’s Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Nevada Cancer Institute and many others.

About Saks Fifth Avenue

Saks Fifth Avenue, one of the world’s pre-eminent specialty retailers, is renowned for its superlative American and international designer collections, its expertly edited assortment of handbags, shoes, jewelry, cosmetics and home furnishings, and the first-rate fashion expertise and exemplary client service of its Associates. Today, Saks operates 53 full-line stores in 25 states, 5 licensed stores in the Middle East and 1 licensed store in Mexico City, 55

Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH stores and saks.com, the company’s online store.

About CancerForward

CancerForward: The Foundation for Cancer Survivors is a public charity whose mission is to connect, educate and share information among cancer survivors, empowering them to improve their day-to-day lives.

CancerForward exists as a free and unique web-based networking and educational resource for cancer survivors of all ages and all types of cancers. It was created to support the physical, emotional and practical living needs of more than 28 million cancer survivors.  According to the Chronicle of Philanthropy, no other not-for-profit entity currently provides its services on a comprehensive basis.  CancerForward’s web content is focused on first-hand, participant-based experience, current information from trained experts and guides, access to local resources, and aggregation of survivor data such as polls and statistical surveys.  By design, the website embraces the now conventional definition of “survivors” and thereby serves those living with, through and beyond cancer diagnosis, along with family members, friends, and caregivers. More information about the organization can be found at www.cancerforward.org.

Tickets for the Key the the Cure Kickoff 2010 begin at $75.00 per person with many underwriting opportunities available.  For more information or for interview opportunities, please contact Christina Sacco, Smith & Sacco Public Relations at 713/627-8777 or smith.sacco@gmail.com.