Fabutan's Ray of Hope campaign raises over $500,000 for breast cancer research

CALGARY, Nov. 24 /CNW/ - Fabutan's national Ray of Hope campaign will help shed some light on the fight against breast cancer thanks to the $95,000 it raised last month.

For the past eight Octobers, Fabutan Sun Tan Studios has asked its customers to give a Ray of Hope to the one-in-nine Canadian women who are diagnosed with breast cancer every year. For only $10, Fabutan customers can add 125 minutes to any tanning package. In turn, Fabutan donates $10 to the Vitamin D Society for breast cancer research.

"Fabutan is proud our franchisees, employees and customers rallied together so strongly to raise $95,000 for breast cancer research," enthused Fabutan President Doug McNabb. "We exceeded our fund-raising goals for 2009 and we are confident that in 2010 - our 30th anniversary year - we will surpass our previous records."

McNabb personally challenged each of the 147 Fabutan Sun Tan Studios across Canada to sell as many Ray of Hope packages as possible during October. The winning studio in London, Ontario received a visit on November 15 from McNabb who dressed in a Pink Panther costume and cleaned the studio's tanning beds for the day.

Fabutan has contributed over half a million dollars to breast cancer research through the Ray of Hope campaign to date.

About Fabutan Sun Tan Studios

For over 29 years Fabutan has encouraged a balanced, moderate approach to indoor tanning. Educating our customers to maximize the benefits while minimizing the risks of too much or too little UV exposure, along with a strong emphasis on avoiding overexposure and sunburn, is the core foundation of Fabutan's "Smart Tanning" philosophy.

Fabutan Sun Tan Studios is part of the International Smart Tan Network, committed to the research and education of responsible and moderate sun tanning, Fabutan is Canada's largest indoor tanning company, with 147 franchises and over 700 employees. Please visit www.fabutan.com to find out more about Fabutan.

/NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: A photo accompanying this release is available at http://photos.newswire.ca. Images are free to accredited members of the media/

For further information: Dora Urban, Fabutan Sun Tan Studios, [phone], [e-mail]; Mary-Margaret Jones, PUNCH Canada, [phone] ext. 241, [e-mail]