Belk stores are conducting special events throughout the month of October to support breast cancer awareness efforts and raise money for The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

The company announced a commitment to raise $200,000 from the events for the Dallas, Texas-based Komen Foundation, with one-half of the donated amount to be designated by the Foundation to its local affiliates in Belk markets.

"We urge Belk customers to participate in their local stores' Shop for the Cure event and other activities planned during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October," said Gigi Luedeman, Belk senior special events coordinator in Charlotte. "These events are designed to raise breast cancer awareness and support the Komen Foundation's outstanding breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment programs.

"An estimated 212,920 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to occur among women in the United States during 2006 and approximately 40,970 women are expected to die from the disease this year. Breast cancer continues to be the leading cause of cancer deaths among women between the ages of 40 and 59. Deaths from the disease would decrease by 30 percent if screening guidelines were followed and appropriate treatment received."

The following events will be held in all Belk store locations during October:

-- Customer appreciation breast cancer awareness gift with purchase: Sept. 29-Oct. 1

Belk stores will offer an exclusive collectible purse chain with charms (featuring breast cancer awareness symbols) free with any $100 in purchases made throughout the store (while supplies last).

-- Shop for the Cure: Friday, Oct. 6-Monday, Oct. 9.

Belk customers who purchase a $1 shopping pass receive discount coupons for purchases throughout the store -- 20 percent off a single, regular-priced item, 15 percent off a single clearance-priced item and 10 percent off homestore items. (Normal exclusions apply.)

-- Boxed jewelry program: Oct. 1-Oct. 31.

A variety of jewelry items featuring pink ribbon designs will be offered throughout the month of October, including bracelets, lapel pins, necklaces and earrings starting at $15 (while supplies last).

For more than 20 years, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation has been a global leader in the fight against breast cancer through its support of innovative research and community-based outreach programs.

Working through a network of U.S. and international Affiliates and events like the Komen Race for the Cure, the Komen Foundation is fighting to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease by funding research grants and supporting education, screening and treatment projects in communities around the world.

For more information about breast health or breast cancer, interested persons may call the foundation's Breast Cancer Helpline toll-free at (800)-I'M AWARE (800-462-9273) or visit its Web site: www.komen.org.

Charlotte-based Belk Inc. is the nation's largest privately owned department store company with 276 stores in 16 Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states.