Sep 20, 2008

AmericasMart, American Cancer Society team up to ‘Order The Cure’

ATLANTA – AmericasMart Atlanta has partnered with the American Cancer Society (ACS) for a major promotion called “Order The Cure” to raise money and awareness for the fight against cancer. During the October 11-14, Atlanta Apparel Market, participating manufacturers will donate $1 to ACS for each order written during the show. In addition, each showroom will have cancer information packets available to buyers and visitors.

“We are delighted to be working with AmericasMart to provide information on cancer and to raise funds and awareness to fight this disease that takes so many lives each year,” says Michelle Meyer, an American Cancer Society Income Manager in Atlanta. “With so many people expected to attend the Market in October, Order The Cure is an excellent way to reach thousands of people in just four days.”

Doug Harris, a prostate cancer survivor, ACS volunteer and owner of apparel store Certain Things in Raleigh, North Carolina, will participate in the show and has spearheaded this program, working with AmericasMart and the American Cancer Society to bring “Order The Cure” to life.

“Order The Cure seemed like a great way to get two icons in the Atlanta community together for a very worthy cause,” Harris says. “The more people we can reach with messages about cancer risk, screening and treatment, the better our chances of saving lives. And the AmericasMart show provides the perfect opportunity to educate people, raise money for the cause of cancer and help advance the ultimate goal of finding a cure.”

Order the Cure/Add One
During the October Market, participating showrooms will showcase apparel and accessory product from manufactures and designers—each donating $1 for every order written—which has the potential to grow into thousands of dollars with showrooms writing hundreds of orders during a Market. Additionally, participating showrooms will host themed parties and events in their showrooms to reinforce and support the event.

“We have found that cancer has impacted the lives of everyone in our business and we as whole—exhibitors, manufactures and buyers—can unite in the fight for a cure,” says Paula Hyman, owner of Michael and Paula Hyman at AmericasMart. “Historically, AmericasMart and we, as exhibitors, have rallied behind the support for cancer fundraising and have discovered a perfect fit with the American Cancer Society. We are looking forward to a successful October event in hopes to continue this program moving forward.”

In addition to donations from manufacturers’ sales, the exhibitors will sell t-shirts bearing the message “I Ordered the Cure” and AmericasMart will host a fashion show and cocktail party with opportunities to donate to ACS on Saturday, October 11 at 6 p.m. The American Cancer Society will also provide a selection of books for children on coping with cancer on the children’s floor at the show.

For more information, to sign up to participate or to purchase an Order The Cure t-shirt, fax (404) 315-9348 or email michelle.meyer@cancer.org. Or log on to www.AmericasMart.com for more information on Order The Cure.

Founded in 1957 by world-renowned architect and developer, John C. Portman, AmericasMart is the largest wholesale marketplace of its kind. The sprawling 6.2 million-square-foot, three-building campus annually draws more than 548,000 attendees from around the globe to 21 annual markets. The Atlanta Apparel market is held five times a year (excluding August which does not include a1pha), and spans 13 floors with 550 permanent showrooms and 1,000 temporary booths showcasing more than 8,000 apparel lines.

The Atlanta-based American Cancer Society is the largest nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy and service. For information about cancer, call toll-free any time 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit the American Cancer Society website at www.cancer.org.