GNC Raises $2.79 million for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in 8th Annual St. Jude Thanks and Giving® Campaign
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110302/NE57701LOGO)
GNC customers had the opportunity to make a donation at any of the company's more than 3,700 U.S. retail corporate and franchise locations as well as online at GNC.com. One hundred percent of the funds raised go directly to St. Jude.
"We are so proud of our customer's generosity this year as we exceeded last year's contribution by a remarkable 40%," said Tom Dowd, GNC Executive Vice President, Chief Merchandising Officer & General Manager. "It is truly an honor to be associated with St. Jude. GNC believes that donating to the Thanks and Giving campaign is one of the best ways that customers and employees can take a moment and contribute to something important helping these children and their families "live well" throughout the holiday season."
Each year the St. Jude Thanks and Giving campaign ignites the competitive fire of GNC employees, and the entire organization gets involved in the fundraising push. "Despite tough economic times, our customers again supported St. Jude, and their generosity inspired all of us to push even harder to beat last year's contributions," Dowd said
"GNC has been a committed partner to the St. Jude Thanks and Giving campaign for several years, and this year more than ever," said Marlo Thomas, National Outreach Director for St. Jude. "It is because of partners like GNC and their customers that we have been able to increase awareness of the lifesaving mission of St. Jude, and keep our promise that no child will ever be turned away if a family can't pay."
About GNC
GNC Holdings, Inc., headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, is a leading global specialty retailer of health and wellness products, including vitamins, minerals, herbal supplement products, sports nutrition products and diet products, and trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "GNC".
As of September 30, 2011, GNC has more than 7,500 locations, of which more than 5,800 retail locations are in the United States (including 919 franchise and 2,103 Rite Aid franchise store-within-a-store locations) and franchise operations in 52 countries (including distribution centers where retail sales are made). The Company which is dedicated to helping consumers Live Well has a diversified, multi-channel business model and derives revenue from product sales through company-owned retail stores, domestic and international franchise activities, third party contract manufacturing, e-commerce and corporate partnerships. Their broad and deep product mix, which is focused on high-margin, premium, value-added nutritional products, is sold under GNC proprietary brands, including Mega Men, Ultra Mega, GNC Wellbeing, Pro Performance and Longevity Factors, and under nationally recognized third party brands.
Web: GNC.com l Twitter: @GNCLiveWell l Facebook: facebook.com/GNCLiveWell
About St. Jude
Since opening 50 years ago, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital has changed the way the world treats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. No family ever pays St. Jude for the care their child receives and, for every child treated here, thousands more have been saved worldwide through St. Jude discoveries. The hospital has played a pivotal role in pushing U.S. pediatric cancer survival rates from 20 to 80 percent overall, and is the first and only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted to children. It is also a leader in the research and treatment of blood disorders and infectious diseases in children. St. Jude was founded by the late entertainer Danny Thomas, who believed that no child should die in the dawn of life. Join that mission by visiting stjude.org or following us on facebook.com/stjude and twitter.com/stjude.
About Thanks and Giving
The St. Jude Children's Research Hospital® Thanks and Giving® national campaign is an unprecedented union of celebrities, media, retail and corporate partners that ask consumers to "Give thanks for the healthy kids in your life, and give to those who are not." The Thanks and Giving initiative was created in 2004 by Marlo Thomas and her siblings, Terre and Tony Thomas, children of St. Jude founder Danny Thomas. Funds raised by the campaign support the lifesaving work of St. Jude to find cures for children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. St Jude impacts the lives of children in communities across the country. Consumers are asked to shop at companies where the St. Jude green magnifying glass logo is displayed; donate online at www.tg.stjude.org, where a list of fundraising partners is available, or call 1-800-4STJUDE.
Media Contact:
Diana Torres-Bixby
diana.torres@edelman.com
212-819-4895
SOURCE GNC Holdings, Inc.