Everything But Water Joins LUNGevity Foundation in Fighting Lung Cancer

Press release (Nov. 22, 2011) — Everything But Water, the largest women’s specialty swim and resortwear store in the United States, is donating five percent of all sales from Black Friday (Nov. 25) through Cyber Monday (Nov. 28) to LUNGevity Foundation, the nation’s largest lung cancer nonprofit. The five percent donation will apply on all sales, including gift cards, throughout the retailer’s 58 stores and online at www.everythingbutwater.com.

This will be the third year Sheila Arnold, CEO and President of Everything But Water, has promoted store initiatives to benefit LUNGevity Foundation. She took on the battle against lung cancer because she believes it is important to address issues that affect women and women’s health. Lung cancer kills more women than any other cancer — almost twice as many women die of lung cancer than breast cancer. Arnold also has a special connection to the issue because her mother died of lung cancer and her brother, Jerry Sorkin, was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer in 2007. Sorkin serves as vice-chair of LUNGevity Foundation’s Board of Directors, and is a never-smoker.

“LUNGevity is grateful to Everything But Water for supporting us with a national sponsorship as we battle against the country’s number one cancer killer,” said LUNGevity Foundation President Andrea Stern Ferris. “The disease impacts thousands of families just like Jerry and Sheila’s across the nation. I encourage you to support the store in its very personal crusade to help stop this horrible disease.”

Everything But Water chose the timing of its contribution — the kickoff to holiday shopping and one of the year’s busiest shopping periods — to highlight its commitment to the cause, to help bring attention to the disease, and to capture the spirit of generosity that marks the holiday season. Throughout the weekend, Everything But Water’s expert sales associates will help shoppers find perfect getaway looks and gorgeous gifts. Customers can also shop, and learn more about the partnership, at www.everythingbutwater.com.

“We are passionate about raising awareness for such an important issue,” said Arnold. "Lung cancer is the leading cancer killer and affects too many families, including my own. Far too many men and women are stricken with this disease. I learned about LUNGevity Foundation’s powerful work after my brother was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer in 2007. We are committed to the cause and see Black Friday weekend as an ideal opportunity for our customers to show their support while they shop.”

Lung cancer takes a terrible toll on our nation. More than 200,000 Americans are diagnosed with lung cancer and more than 150,000 die from the disease each year. Over the course of their lives, one in 14 Americans is affected by lung cancer. Lung cancer can afflict anyone regardless of age, gender, smoking history or skin color. And because there is no widely available, effective early diagnostic test for the disease, less than 16 percent of people diagnosed with lung cancer survive more than five years.