IPA Charities and International Profit Associates Supports Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation

In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month during October, International Profit Associates (IPA-IBA) has taken an active role in support of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

International Profit Associates employees participated in the 10th annual Komen Chicago Race For The Cure. A team of 44 members, dubbed "Business Doctors," represented the company to walk, run or donate to one of the world’s largest 5k races and 1k fun walk and runs. The group was deemed the overall top fundraising team for 2006 by donating $10,250 and team captain, Kelly Fermazin, took first place among all participants for a personal raised donation of $8,568.

A total of 311 employees also participated in Lee National Denim Day, the world’s largest single-day fundraiser, and Passionately Pink for the Cure™. Participants donated $1,580 and showed their support to eradicate breast cancer by wearing denim or pink. John Burgess matched the employee donation for a total of $3,16.0 In 2005 alone, Denim Day raised $8.6 million for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Since 1996, companies nationwide have raised more than $50 million for Lee National Denim Day and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation receives 100% of all donations.

Passionately Pink for the Cure™ is a new fundraising and education program kicking off October 1, 2006, in conjunction with National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The program encourages companies, schools and organizations to take that promise, make it their own, and make a difference by supporting breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment.

Lee National Denim Day is the world's largest single-day fundraiser for breast cancer. On one Friday in October, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Lee® Jeans encourages millions of people nationwide to slip into their favorite jeans and make a $5 donation to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Participating businesses and organizations allow employees and members to wear denim in exchange for a $5 donation to the Komen Foundation. Since 1996, Lee National Denim Day has raised more than $50 million for breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment programs.

In 1983, Nancy Brinker created the first Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Race for the Cure® in Dallas, Texas with 800 participants. Today, the Komen Race for the Cure® Series is the largest series of 5K runs/fitness walks in the world. In addition to raising funds, the Komen Race for the Cure® Series is committed to educating the public about early detection, the strongest method of surviving this life-threatening disease. The five-year survival rate is 95 percent when the disease is discovered while still confined to the breast. The Komen Race for the Cure® Series helps raise awareness of the importance of a positive breast health program – monthly breast self-examinations for all women beginning at age 20, clinical breast exams every three years beginning at age 20 and annually at age 40, and annual mammography beginning by age 40.