October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and throughout the month, a portion of the proceeds from specially designed items as well as from customer purchases made on a store credit card in Iowa will be donated to the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center for breast cancer research. Since the Charge Against Breast Cancer program began, Younkers and Herberger's have raised more than $198,716 for breast cancer research at The University of Iowa.

"We are extremely appreciative of the support Younkers is providing for breast cancer research," said George Weiner, MD, Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center and C.E. Block Chair of Cancer Research in the Roland and Ruby Holden Cancer Research Laboratory. "We are making progress with fewer women dying of breast cancer in Iowa, but we have a long way to go. The support from Younkers will help us continue that success."

Customers can show their support for the fight against breast cancer by purchasing any Passion for Pink item, available beginning October 1, just in time for the holiday gift-giving season. Items include 'pretty in pink' note cards, a journal and pen set, bracelets, coin purses, a baseball cap, Karen Neuberger pajamas and socks, a Columbia parka and more, with prices ranging from $8 to $179.99. All items are available for purchase in store or online.

The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. (Nasdaq: BONT) operates 271 department stores and seven furniture galleries in 23 states in the Northeast, Midwest and Great Plains under the Bon-Ton, Bergner's, Boston Store, Carson Pirie Scott, Elder-Beerman, Herberger's and Younkers nameplates. The stores offer a broad assortment of brand-name fashion apparel and accessories for women, men and children, as well as cosmetics, home furnishings and other goods.

The Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center is Iowa's only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer center. NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers are recognized as the leaders in developing new approaches to cancer prevention and cancer care, conducting leading edge research and educating the public about cancer.

For more information:

Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center

Younkers

Herberger's

George Weiner, MD