Roz Varon, ABC7 Morning News Traffic Anchor, Named Honorary Chair of Fannie May(R) Chocolate’s Pink Campaign

CHICAGO, Sept. 26 /PRNewswire/ — Fannie May(R) is proud to name Roz Varon, Traffic Anchor for ABC7 News This Morning, the Honorary Chair of its 2007 “Support the Cause” PINK Campaign fundraiser to benefit five local cancer centers, following a tradition established last year with First Lady Maggie Daley.

“We are grateful to Ms. Varon for joining with us and the Coleman Foundation to support the cause,” said Mr. David Taiclet, CEO of Fannie May. “Ms. Varon was chosen for the personal courage she demonstrated, and the inspiring and uplifting message that she communicated through example, to thousands of Chicagoans during her recent journey from stage four breast cancer to 100 percent remission,” he continued. “Her positive attitude while undergoing treatment represents the spirit of this fundraiser.”

In her role, Ms. Varon will preside over activities surrounding a kick-off party at Fannie May’s landmark Michigan Avenue store in Chicago. The event will be followed by “street sampling” by more than 50 volunteers from the benefiting organizations of PINK Confections, and the distribution of informational brochures to pedestrians during the lunch hour. She will also support the cause as ambassador for Fannie May’s PINK Campaign throughout October — National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

“I am honored to have been chosen Honorary Chair for Fannie May’s PINK Campaign fundraiser,” said Varon. “In light of my own journey with breast cancer, wellness and follow-up treatment for survivors is a cause close to my heart, and this type of positive energy helps improve the quality of life for those of us dealing with cancer,” she continued. “I am proud to be able to help make a difference in so many lives.”

Through October, Fannie May will donate 10 percent of the proceeds of its Limited Edition PINK Confections to the Cancer Wellness Center in Northbrook, Gilda’s Club, Chicago, Jennifer S. Fallick Cancer Support Center in Homewood, Wellness House in Hinsdale, and Wellness Place in Palatine. The centers provide resources and guidance free of charge to people who are dealing with cancer, to complement their medical care. The monies raised through the PINK Campaign will be matched dollar for dollar through a grant from the Chicago-based Coleman Foundation.

“Like most families, we’ve been touched by cancer,” reports Coleman Foundation President and CEO, Mr. Michael Hennessy. “The Foundation and Fannie May have deep Chicago roots, and we’re pleased to partner with them once again to help promote the important work of these local cancer centers.”

Fannie May’s PINK Confections, packaged in pink gift wrap and decorated with the familiar pink ribbon symbol for breast cancer awareness, will be available at all 55 Fannie May Shops in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin, and at Jewel-Osco, Dominick’s, and select Walgreen’s retail outlets, and other independent retailers where pre-packaged Fannie May Chocolates are sold, and at http://www.fanniemay.com/. Suggested retail prices for the special assortment range from $9.99 to $19.99, and include:

   -- Pink Drizzled Pixies(R) -- Combination of rich caramel, luscious      chocolate and crunchy pecans, drizzled with pink pastel coating      (website only)   -- Pink Mint Meltaways(R) -- Mint chocolate center in creamy pink pastel      coating   -- Pink Ladies -- Coconut center in creamy pink pastel coating and toasted      coconut   -- Peppermint Ice -- Pastel coating with crunchy peppermint pieces    

“We thank Fannie May and the Coleman Foundation for their generous support and for increasing awareness of breast cancer through this PINK Campaign,” said Mrs. Nancy Laatsch, Executive Director of the Cancer Wellness Center in Northbrook and president of the Cancer Health Alliance, a consortium that includes the Jennifer S. Fallick Cancer Support Center, Wellness House, and Wellness Place.

“This fundraiser works to remind women over 40 of the importance of early detection through annual mammography screenings, and also increases awareness among those Chicagoans affected by cancer of the support services available through our five organizations,” said Ms. LauraJane Hyde, CEO of Gilda’s Club Chicago.

2007 marks the third consecutive year of Fannie May’s PINK Campaign. Past contributions have supported outreach efforts to doctors and hospitals in the Chicago metropolitan area, making them aware of services available free of charge for their patients, and were used to purchase computer database systems to allow for better program delivery. In addition, Fannie May and the Coleman Foundation were sponsors of the second national conference in Chicago that brought together free-standing cancer support organizations from all over the United States, to improve their skills and share best practices.

The Coleman Foundation was established by J.D. and Dorothy Coleman who were the owners and managers of Fannie May Candies until their deaths in 1975 and 1977, respectively. Since 1981, the Foundation’s Directors have made cancer support a priority in the Chicagoland area by supporting major initiatives to improve treatment, facilities, access to care, program capacity as well as forward thinking translational research. In recent years, grants to the five local cancer centers have supported programs to improve the quality of life for the individuals and families battling cancer.

Fannie May was founded in 1920 by H. Teller Archibald and operates 55 shops in four Midwestern states and plans to open up to nine more stores in 2007. Among these, the following locations are planned to open by December 1, 2007 or earlier: Hawthorne Mall, Vernon Hills; Bolingbrook Shopping Center; Danada Square West, Wheaton; 144 Dearborn Avenue, Chicago; Willow Festival Shopping Center, Northbrook; and Heritage Square, Michiwaka, Indiana. Fannie May offers more than 80 different kinds of chocolate candies, including Trinidads, Mint Meltaways, Pixies, and hand-picked assortments. Pre-packaged selections are also available at Jewel-Osco, Dominick’s, select Walgreen’s retail outlets, and other independent retailers, and at http://www.fanniemay.com/. Fannie May also sells its premium chocolates through its wholesale partners, as well as through its catalogs.

Fannie May

CONTACT: Lisa Doherty of Doherty Marketing, +1-312-988-4314, for FannieMay

Web site: http://www.fanniemay.com/