Women in the Industry Endorse Gal to Gal Foundation’s Virtual Walk

Timeshare/Hospitality Industry Organization Also Seeks Resort Weeks for Donations

Published October 2, 2009

Women in the Industry -- WIN, -- has announced its continued support of Gal to Gal Foundation, with an endorsement of the Foundations’ Third Annual Interactive Virtual Walk to dedicated to raising funds and awareness for Stage IV breast cancer patients and their families to create a viral outpouring of support during October’s Breast Cancer Awareness month with a goal of raising $250,000 in 31 days.  Official walk dates are October 1 - October 31, 2009.

Supporters participate in The Gal to Gal Walk by creating their likeness online and then watching themselves “walk” across America. The walk commences Virtual Harvard Square in Boston, MA, concludes on the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, and visits 29 cities along the way, giving people a reason to return every day. New walkers join all the time – sharing their stories and building momentum as more people participate in this innovative fundraising effort. Registrants can join on teams and design guys as well as gals.

Visitors can register for the Gal to Gal Walk at www.galtogalwalk.org for a $5 donation. After signing up for the walk individually, join our team by entering the name: WIN.  WIN also is coordinating the donation of time at resorts around the world to be offered to families of those with Stage IV breast cancer.    Gal to Gal Foundation currently dedicates a significant portion of its funds to Making Memories, an organization that exclusively grants wishes for Stage IV patients and their families. In addition, they are committed to sponsoring educational conferences for late stage breast cancer patients organized by Living Beyond Breast Cancer.

In its first two years, the Gal to Gal virtual walk attracted thousands of supporters and raised more than $200,000 for patients and families battling Stage IV breast cancer.

“We know our resort industry has the ability to make some families very happy,” said Cathy Backus, co-president of WIN.  “Quality vacation time with families is one of the greatest desires of women diagnosed with breast cancer.  We encourage our resort community to register for the Gal to Gal Walk and to contact WIN for ways to donate days or weeks.”

The unique approach to philanthropy has attracted other sponsors and partners such as Epson, Fodor’s, Glory for Girls, Jessica Knows, Organize.com, and Franklin Covey. In addition, dozens of celebrity ambassadors such as Larry King, Kristin Chenoweth,  Stephen Covey, Marg Helgenberger, Lisa Rinna, Denise Richards, Molly Sims, and more have lent their support and we look forward to their participation and that of many others in this year’s virtual walk.

“We are honored to have these notable individuals and companies enhance the virtual walk experience, which will unite women and men from all walks of life. This initiative will help benefit a group of individuals who are facing the most difficult battle of their lives,” commented Jeanne Fitzmaurice, founder of Design-her Gals and Gal to Gal Foundation. Fitzmaurice was honored previously by Yoplait and Susan G. Komen for her work with the Gal to Gal Foundation.

Please reply by e-mail Cathy Backus [cbackus@csatravelprotection.com] or call her at 702-604-9411.  For more information about Gal to Gal Foundation go to www.designhergals.com    For more about Women in the Industry go to www.womenintheindustry.org