On October 3, for the second year in a row, PMI employees at the Milford office went "Pink for a cause" and took part in the 13th annual Lee National Denim Day to support the fight against breast cancer. About 15 participating employees - known as "The Tidy-Blue Team" - put on their jeans and pink in exchange for a $5 donation to the Women's Cancer Programs of the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF). Again this year, PMI is matching funds raised by participating employees.

Did you know that, in the US alone, one woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every three minutes, and one woman dies of breast cancer every 13 minutes? One of every eight women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime; one in 33 will die from it.

These are just some of the reasons why PMI participates in this important campaign. Beyond the startling statistics, members of the PMI staff are motivated by personal experiences. Elaine Diamond, mother of PMI President Michael Diamond, is a breast cancer survivor of 10 years. As part of this year's Denim Day celebration, Elaine powerfully spoke to PMI employees about her own journey of struggle and survival and about the importance of women getting routine mammograms. "Be proactive and positive, positive, positive!" says Elaine.

Marie Johnson, executive assistant to Mr. Diamond, initiated PMI's involvement in Denim Day last year. Marie had been participating in the event for several years prior to joining PMI in May 2007. "It seems that breast cancer touches everyone's life in one way or another," says Marie. "That's why I feel it is so important to keep the issue in people's minds - not just on Denim Day - but every day."

At a table in the Milford office, employees picked up breast cancer awareness literature, Lee discount coupons and pink ribbon pins. PMI also provided goodie bags to all participants. Contests and prizes were held throughout the day, and employees had the option of displaying certificates "In Memory Of" or "In Honor Of" a person they knew who had battled breast cancer.

In its 12-year history, the Lee National Denim Day campaign has raised more than $70 million and, each year, brings together nearly one million supporters across the country. Proceeds support specific research, education and advocacy efforts of the Women's Cancer Programs of EIF, including: Lee Laboratories for Translational Research, which work to create more effective, less toxic treatments; the Breast Cancer Biomarker Discovery Project, which aims to develop a blood test for earlier detection; and the National Breast Cancer Coalition, which brings the most accurate and up-to-date information and resources to the public.

With two successful years of participation in the campaign, PMI stands proud and looks forward to continuing its involvement for many years to come.