Lee will celebrate its annual Lee Denim Day on October 2, raising awareness and funding for the American Cancer Society’s breast cancer programs and services. Employees at thousands of companies nationwide can participate by wearing jeans to work in exchange for a $5 donation to the health organization.
Since launching 20 years ago, Lee Denim Day has become one of the largest single-day fundraiser for breast cancer. The program has raised more than $93 million to date and has funded 11 national cancer research and training projects totaling more than $2.4 million. Additionally, Lee National Denim Day donations have supported the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge, where out-of-town cancer patients stay free of charge while undergoing treatment.
American Cancer Society has been the beneficiary of the annual campaign since 2012. In 2013, Lee joined other corporate funders to help the American Cancer Society reach women in areas with higher risk of breast cancer and limited access to breast cancer screening through the organization’s Community Health Advocates implementing Nationwide Grants for Empowerment and Equity (CHANGE) Grant Program. CHANGE has provided $2 million in grant money to community partners.
“Lee Jeans is proud to celebrate 20 years of raising awareness and funds to aid in the fight against breast cancer. Lee created Lee National Denim Day in 1996 and has helped raise more than $93 million dollars since that day,” said Kim Yates, Lee vice president of marketing, in a statement. “Our employees and donors are honored to be able to help fund the important work that the American Cancer Society is carrying out. From funding groundbreaking cancer research to providing free information and support to those touched by breast cancer, every dollar raised helps bring us closer to our collective goal—an end to breast cancer,” she added.
