UNC LCCC News Release	February 16, 2007

Leading Cancer Centers Join Forces to Form the Cancer Research Alliance

BOSTON - Thirteen of the nation's top cancer centers have formed The Cancer Research Alliance, a separate 501(c)(3) devoted to securing national cause-related marketing alliances to fund cancer research at the participating organizations and to raise awareness of issues related to cancer.

All National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers, the 13 participating organizations include City of Hope; Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; Fox Chase Cancer Center; Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center; The Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center at University of Iowa; Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute at The Ohio State University; Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center of Georgetown University; The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center; H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute; Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University; Roswell Park Cancer Institute; and the University of California San Francisco Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Only 39 cancer centers around the country have earned the Comprehensive Cancer Center designation, the NCI’s highest honor. Several factors are considered by the NCI to bestow this distinction upon a cancer center, including very high standards for basic science research, exceptional patient care, innovative clinical research, and outstanding community outreach and education.

Cause-related marketing is the public association of a for-profit company with a nonprofit organization or cause, to promote the company's product or service and to raise money and awareness for the nonprofit or issue. As a marketing tool, cause-related marketing has long been used by non-profit organizations and companies alike to benefit their brands. According to the International Events Group, U.S. sponsorship spending on cause marketing will hit $1.44 billion in 2007.

With locations including Chicago, Boston, Los Angeles, Houston, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Seattle, Tampa and Philadelphia, the participating cancer centers represent seven of the top 10 media markets according to Nielsen Media, and they geographically represent key consumer markets across the United States.

"The participating organizations recognize the power of cause marketing, both as a fund-raising tool and as a branding vehicle," said Maureen Carlson, Cause Marketing Director for the Cancer Research Alliance and City of Hope's associate vice president, Communications. "The Cancer Research Alliance is the first organization of its kind to provide both local and national value to participating companies."

The Cancer Research Alliance is currently securing national corporate partners for consumer promotions. Interested companies can contact Maureen Carlson at mcarlson@cancerresearchalliance.org

About the Cancer Research Alliance
The Cancer Research Alliance is a national non-profit organization that raises funds and awareness for cancer research through cause marketing partnerships. Comprised of 13 of the nation's top cancer centers, member organizations are located in seven of the top 10 media markets according to Nielsen Media, and geographically represent key consumer markets across the United States. Each member institution has been designated as a Comprehensive Cancer Center, the highest recognition bestowed by the National Cancer Institute. Member institutions include: City of Hope; Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; Fox Chase Cancer Center; Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center; The Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center at University of Iowa; Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute at The Ohio State University; Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center of Georgetown University; The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center; H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute; Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University; Roswell Park Cancer Institute; and the University of California San Francisco Comprehensive Cancer Center. For more information, please visit CRA Web site at: http://www.cancerresearchalliance.org/.

UNC Lineberger Cancer Center contact:
Dianne Shaw, (919)966-7834

School of Medicine contact:
Stephanie Crayton, 919-966-2860