Recycling with FundingFactory Helps Fight Cancer

ERIE, Pennsylvania, July 9, 2007 (ENS) - Teams participating in the 2007 Breast Cancer 3-Day Race have found an environmentally friendly way to raise money - they are recycling used printer cartridges and cell phones.

Breast Cancer 3-Day is a national event supporting breast cancer research and community outreach. The event takes place in 12 cities nationwide, beginning in Boston, August 3-5, and ending in San Diego, November 9-11.

Organizers ask participants to walk an average of 20 miles a day and to raise a minimum of $2,200. To help meet this goal, more than 60 groups have signed on with FundingFactory to collect used printer cartridges and cell phones - those that can be refurbished or resold are turned into the FundingFactory`s Recycling Program in exchange for cash.

`We love this fundraiser,` said Danielle Gibala who is a member of the Boa Babes Breast Cancer 3-Day Team from Michigan. Her team has raised over $350 just since January with FundingFactory.

`Our group goal was to raise a couple hundred dollars,` she said. `We had no idea how easy and fast it would be to achieve.`

The team has several methods of getting the cartridges and phones.

`We have two collection boxes set up; one is at Central Michigan University`s Extended Learning Center and the other is at an Impressions Salon,` said Gibala.

`Another way we collect is through a bowling league. Fellow bowlers have been very generous in bringing cartridges. We also have put the word out to family and friends.`

Eighty-five percent of the net proceeds of the nationwide 3-Day events will be given to a non-profit organization called Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Founded in 1982 by Nancy G. Brinker, based on a promise made to her dying sister, it is the world`s largest grassroots organization of breast cancer survivors and activists, and the world`s largest source of non-profit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer.

Fifteen percent of the net proceeds will go to the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund, one of the 150 largest charities and among the 35 largest grantmaking institutions in the United States.

According to the 3-Day website, more than 200,000 women and men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 40,000 will lose their lives to the disease this year.