Utah's DownEast donates to breast cancer battle

DownEast is donating $25,000 as part of its 5th annual "LIVE for Pink" sales event to help fight breast cancer.

Shoppers got involved by purchasing limited edition "LIVE for Pink" T-shirts from the retailer while DownEast donated 50 percent of the sales. Proceeds will go to support work relating to breast cancer awareness, education, assistance for victims and other endeavors.

With its previous "LIVE for Pink" events taking place since 2008, DownEast has raised more than $113,000 for charities in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The DownEast limited edition "LIVE for Pink" tees are available in DownEast stores and online.

"The fight against breast cancer is a cause many of us at DownEast hold near and dear to our hearts," said Jonathan Freedman, vice president of apparel at DownEast. "We raise funds in support of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month with our 'LIVE for Pink' tees that are available for a limited time each fall. This year, we're contributing money from the 'LIVE for Pink' campaign to selected nonprofit organizations that are doing important work in their local communities."

Breast cancer survivors within the DownEast family include Llilli Murphy, wife of CEO Klane Murphy, and Claire Freedman, mother of company founders Jonathan, Bill and Charlie Freedman.

The 2012 DownEast Charitable Organization grant recipients include: American Lung Association, Christi Anderson Rack Pack Foundation, Happy Chemo! and Lifting Hearts Breast Cancer Support Group, all of Utah, as well as the Arizona Institute for Breast Health, Bosom Buddies of Arizona, Colorado Breast Cancer Coalition and Colorado Breast Cancer Task Force.

DownEast also was a cosponsor of the Pink Half Marathon held earlier this month in Park City.

The Salt Lake City-based company operates 50 locations throughout the West including in Utah, Colorado, California, Idaho, Arizona, Washington, Nevada and Wyoming.