Greek Catholic Union Raises Funds for Breast Cancer Research and Support

Online, December 7, 2012 (Newswire.com) - The Greek Catholic Union (GCU) recently participated for the third consecutive year in 'Lee National Denim Day,' a charitable campaign of the American Cancer Society sponsored by Lee Jeans. Support came from the GCU National Headquarters as well as two lodges, who held local projects to raise funds for the cause. The GCU has donated over $8,000 to Lee National Denim Day over the past three years.

This year, Lodge 89 in Hazelton, PA, took a free-will donation at their GCU 89'ers Bowling League and bingo workers at St. John's Byzantine Catholic Church took a free-will donation. The lodge then matched the funds. Lodge 151 in New York, NY held a luncheon where over 100 people attended. Jean Rettura, bilingual outreach worker and volunteer from Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline and Support Program, spoke about her experiences as a breast cancer survivor and discussed ways to cope and who to talk to about the disease. The GCU National Headquarters wore jeans and took a donation. The raised funds were matched by the GCU.

"I am always encouraged by our members' willingness to help and contribute to special funds like Lee National Denim Day," said Christie Petty, Fraternal Director. "I hope that we can continue to surpass our goals for donations to aid in research for breast cancer."

'Lee National Denim Day' is geared towards funding research for breast cancer, creating awareness in the public, and providing support and education to victims of breast cancer and their families.

GCU encouraged their members to get involved by sending detailed information and local project ideas to their local Lodges and Districts, and then promoted the event via their monthly eMagazine (http://www.gcuusa.com/emaghome.htm) as well as posting weekly updates on their Facebook Fan Page (http://www.facebook.com/gcu.greek.catholic.union).