Think Pink In October

7-Eleven Offers Exclusive, Special Products To Raise Funds During Breast Cancer Awareness Month

(Friday, September 29, 2006) - Gail Bonfiglio knows first-hand the importance of the mantras that breast cancer-awareness charities have been preaching – education, early detection and treatment. Bonfiglio is one of the 2 million breast cancer survivors living in America. Diagnosed in 2003, the 7-Eleven® market manager continued to work during treatment -- overseeing operations of more than 70 stores in the Dallas area. Bonfiglio just celebrated her third anniversary as a survivor.
To commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness month this October, 7-Eleven, Inc. will offer a selection of new and exclusive products at its participating stores to raise awareness and, more importantly, to help raise funds for breast cancer research. The leading convenience retailer and participating manufacturers hope to raise a half-million dollars in the month-long, cause-marketing campaign for organizations like Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, the City of Hope National Medical Center, the Avon Walk for breast cancer, the Nellie B. Connally Breast Cancer Foundation at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and Athena Partners, a nonprofit organization that funds research to eliminate women's cancers.

"October is an important month for breast cancer because it keeps the issue in the forefront," Bonfiglio said. "Young women think it can't happen to them. Well, it can happen to anyone. Studies put the number of women who will face this disease at one in eight. At the very least, Breast Cancer Awareness Month may spur women to make an appointment for a mammogram. Early detection can make all the difference in the world."

Twenty years ago, breast cancer was a disease that wasn't discussed much. Organizations like the Komen foundation sought to change that, which has successfully raised public awareness about breast cancer since its inception in 1982. That awareness has translated into millions of dollars raised to find better treatments and hope for a cure. This year, for the first time, U.S. mortality rates from the disease have dropped.

"Everyone knows someone who has suffered from this disease," said Kimberly Smith, 7-Eleven category manager for non-foods merchandise. "Our customers want to help others, and our goal is to offer them convenient ways to help make a difference. Whenever we offer products for a cause, the sales prove that customers want to get involved and contribute."

7-Eleven worked with major food manufacturers as well as small, specialty food companies to offer a selection of products -- from popular, well-known brands to others that are new to 7-Eleven. Chocolate and chips, favorite snacks of women and men alike, top the list. A portion of the proceeds from these items will be donated to help fund education programs and research.

Crunch for the Cure
During October and while supplies last, Frito-Lay SunChips Brand multigrain snacks will be dressed in pink at 7-Eleven stores. For every sale of the specially marked pink bag of popular SunChips varieties of Harvest Cheddar, French Onion and 7-Eleven exclusive flavor Garden Salsa, 25 cents will be donated to the Komen foundation. Customers who purchase the "Crunch for the Cure" bags can visit http://www.sunchips.com/komen/crunch and enter the special code printed on each bag. Codes may be submitted through Dec. 15, 2006, and the SunChips has committed to donating up to $410,000 to the foundation.

The Susan G. Komen Foundation was founded in 1982 by Nancy Brinker, herself a breast cancer survivor, in memory of her sister who died of breast cancer at the age of 36. Since its inception, the foundation has invested hundreds of millions of dollars to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease and today is recognized as a global leader in the fight against breast cancer.

Chick Chocolates
Seattle Chocolate Company has developed a line of all-natural, preservative-free Chick Chocolates for women … chocolate's biggest fans. During October, 7-Eleven will carry "Survivor Chick" candies, a special confection with raspberry-flavored white chocolate covered in dark chocolate. Three individually wrapped chocolates are packaged in a slim, eye-catching, 5-inch-tall box. Survivor Chick is available at select 7-Eleven stores, and 100 percent of the proceeds will be donated to Athena Partners, a not-for-profit corporation founded by a Seattle-area cancer survivor committed to eliminating women's cancers by advancing research and education.

A New Color for M&M'S Brand Chocolate Candies
M&M'S Brand Chocolate Candies, the number-one candy brand in America, is partnering again with the Komen foundation with its pretty packs of dark pink and light pink candy-coated chocolates. Women age 25 and over account for nearly half the M&M'S Candy purchases. For each sale at 7-Eleven stores of the specially marked 14-ounce packages at $2.50, 35 cents will be donated to Komen. Customers also may tear off a mail-in offer at the in-store display to receive a free M&M'S® Brand pink and white breast cancer T-shirt.

Minty-Fresh Awareness
Sales of Awareness Mints packaged in an attractive pink tin will raise funds for City of Hope, a leading biomedical research and treatment center in Duarte, Calif., and the Avon Walk, a series of events in major cities to raise money as part of the Avon Foundation's Breast Cancer Crusade. The back of the tin directs customers to a website where they can find additional information about the charities benefiting from the proceeds.

The Write Way To Help
A popular pink seller is back this year – the Awareness message ballpoint pen. With each click of the pen, one of four different messages of affirmation comes into view. Proceeds from the sale of the Awareness pen will benefit the Nellie B. Connally foundation, former first lady of Texas and breast cancer survivor who died Sept. 1, 2006, in Austin at the age of 87. She was the last surviving passenger riding in the car when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963.

"Companies are willing to make donations to fund research," Bonfiglio said. "You can see the results in the improvements of treatments and medicines, but the goal is bigger than just to help this generation. If we can find a cure, it helps future generations of women."

The American Cancer Society projects that approximately 213,000 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in 2006, and more than 40,000 will die from the disease. Breast cancer is the leading cause of death among women between the ages of 40 and 55.

The chance of a woman having invasive breast cancer some time during her life is about one in eight. Luckily, thanks to earlier detection and diagnoses, as well as improved treatment methods resulting from research funded in part by organizations like Komen, the mortality rate in the U.S. has declined. Currently, more than 2 million women in America are breast cancer survivors.

"Breast cancer is a disease that has impacted millions of Americans' lives, not only the women who have faced it, but also their families, friends and co-workers," said Smith, whose colleague at her former employer died of the disease. "When customers see pink in our stores, we hope that they will reach for those products to help find a cure for this disease and remind women the importance of regular check-ups with their doctor."

About 7-Eleven, Inc.
7‑Eleven, Inc. is the premier name and largest chain in the convenience retailing industry. Based in Dallas, Texas, 7-Eleven operates, franchises or licenses more than 7,100 7-Eleven® stores in North America. Globally, 7-Eleven operates, franchises or licenses more than 31,000 stores in 17 countries and U.S. territories. During 2005, 7-Eleven stores worldwide generated total sales of approximately $43 billion. Find out more online at www.7-Eleven.com.

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