New Web Site to Help Fight Breast Cancer — One Stitch at a Time

October 1, 2006 — Stitch to WIN Against Breast Cancer, an outreach campaign of The National NeedleArts Association, will launch a new Web site aimed at raising up to $9 million for Living Beyond Breast Cancer. The site, www.OnePixelataTime.org, will be launched at an invitation-only evening event on Oct. 4 at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum in Washington DC.

Visitors to www.OnePixelataTime.org can virtually "Stitch to WIN" against breast cancer by selecting a stitch from one of the five needleartsÑknitting, needlepoint, cross-stitch and embroideryÑand then selecting a pixel to "stitch" on one of five images of the Breast Cancer Research semi-postal stamp. Each "stitch" is $4, and for each one purchased, visitors receive a special, surprise gift coupon (valued from $3 to $150) from one of over 40 site sponsors.

Completion of all five stamps will raise nearly $9 million for Living Beyond Breast Cancer, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering all women affected by breast cancer to live as long as possible with the best quality of life.

"Through OnePixelatatime.org, the needlearts community is reaching out to anyone and everyone who wants to help win the fight against breast cancer. You don't need to know anything about stitching; all you need is a desire to beat breast cancer," said Sherry Mulne, creator of www.OnePixelatatime.org.

For the last two years, Stitch to WIN Against Breast Cancer has helped raise funds to support the fight against breast cancer through the needlearts. The grassroots initiative has also promoted awareness of the Breast Cancer Research semi-postal stamp issued by the United States Postal Service.

"It has been truly amazing to see the energy and dedication from the needlearts community to supporting this cause," Mulne said. "Local shop owners, wholesalers and designers, celebrities, dignitaries and stitchers of all ages have taken up needles and hooks in the fight against breast cancer."

In addition to gift coupons for needlearts supplies and materials, "stitchers" one the site can receive coupons for savings on a wide range of other products including perfumes and lotions, jewelry and accessories, seasonings and soap, fine art, gourmet coffees and gourmet pet treats. As an extra incentive to reach the siteÕs goal of completing all five stamps, the person who completes a stamp by purchasing the very last pixel will receive a spa vacation getaway for two; and the person purchasing the last pixel on the last stampÑthe three millionth stitchÑwill receive a spa vacation getaway for up to six people.

Everyone who registers on the site is automatically entered into a drawing for a spa getaway to be conducted after all the stamps are completed. Site registrants also will receive a gift coupon from Spa-quest.com. Spa-quest is offering a two-percent discount on any spa vacation purchased through OnePixelataTime.org and will also match that amount in a gift to Living Beyond Breast Cancer.

OnePixelataTime.org will be live through October of 2007.

At the Web site's launch event Oct. 4, The National NeedleArts Association will also honor invited guest Sen. Dianne Feinstein and Betsy Mullen, designer of the Breast Cancer Research semi-postal stamp, for their vision and efforts in making the Breast Cancer Research Stamp a reality. In celebration of the stamp, five wall hangings replicating the stamp in each of the needlearts forms will be presented to Allen R. Kane, Director of the Smithsonian National Postal Museum. To date, more than $51 million dollars have been raised through sales of the stamp, issued in 1998 by the United States Postal Service.

The National NeedleArts Association (TNNA) is a non-profit trade organization established in 1974 and is dedicated to the advancement and promotion of needle arts, through trade shows, educational seminars, special events, public relations and professional programs that continue to meet the needs of the industry.

For more information:

The National NeedleArts Association: TNNA.info@offinger.com or bdirect@columbus.rr.com.

Living Beyond Breast Cancer: www.lbbc.org

The United States Postal Service: www.usps.com

The Smithsonian National Postal Museum: www.postalmuseum.si.edu

# # #