On October 2nd, An estimated 800,000 people nationwide put on their jeans with Christina Applegate to celebrate Lee National Denim Day, each donating at least $5 to help raise crucial funds for the fight against breast cancer. The event has been one of the largest single-day fundraisers for breast cancer, and this year raised an estimated $4-$5 million for promising breast cancer research funded by the Women’s Cancer Programs of the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF), bringing the 14-year total to nearly $80 million. Net proceeds from Lee National Denim Day will fund Lee Laboratories nationwide to find more effective, less toxic breast cancer treatments, develop a blood test for earlier detection of breast cancer when survival rates are highest, help the National Breast Cancer Coalition create online and print resources about breast cancer, and train additional advocates to educate patients and their families about new clinical trials. As announced from the stage of the 2009 M2W®-The Marketing To Women Conference, leading the effort was actress Christina Applegate, who also served as the program’s ambassador in 2003 in honor of her mother, a breast cancer survivor, and returned after being diagnosed with early stage breast cancer herself in 2008. Applegate shared her personal story to raise awareness and motivate others to participate in this simple, yet powerful fundraising event. As the lead ambassador, Applegate’s own foundation, Right Action for Women, will also receive a portion of funds raised this year to help high-risk women get appropriately screened for breast cancer. “The Women’s Cancer Programs of EIF was created in an effort to bring together some of the very best scientists and institutions in the country to collaborate on groundbreaking research projects,” said Lisa Paulsen, president and CEO of EIF. “We are so grateful to Lee Jeans for its enormous commitment to this annual fundraiser, and our dedicated ambassador Christina for giving so much of her time to bring attention to this important program.” While groups nationwide celebrated Denim Day in their hometowns, Applegate joined Lee Jeans in Kansas City for a public celebration to reveal the money raised and present the check to the Women’s Cancer Programs of EIF. “It’s so heartwarming to hear the stories about people participating in Denim Day for loved ones they’ve lost, people who are currently fighting, or those who join simply because they want to make a difference,” said Liz Cahill, director of marketing and communications at Lee Jeans. “At Lee, we couldn’t be more proud of this program that brings people together each year and really proves there’s power in numbers.” The official Lee National Denim Day may have been held today, but it’s not too late to plan your own Denim Day. Registration is still open on Denimday.com and donations will be accepted through December 31, 2009 for this year’s campaign.