Harris Teeter is thanking all of its shoppers who participated in its donation card campaign in March for the American Cancer Society.

They donated more than $550,000 to help create a world with less cancer and more birthdays, a news release said.

Cancer is a disease affecting the lives of millions of Americans, and Harris Teeter partnered with the American Cancer Society to raise both awareness and money for the nonprofit organization.

The campaign was a success, and the Society will be able to accomplish many things using the money donated by its generous customers:

n Cover the expenses for 138 patients to stay for free at an ACS Hope Lodge facility during the course of the cancer treatment

n Provide 1,150 Petri dishes for researchers, allowing them to turn their theories into cancer cures

n Provide visits to 1,375 women from the American Cancer Society's Reach to Recovery program.

This program introduces breast cancer patients to select survivors to answer questions and provide emotional support.

n Provide 45,741 hours of toll free access to the ACS National Cancer Information Center. The center receives 1.2 million calls every year to its 24-hour toll-free line, (800) ACS-2345, where specialists answer questions about cancer treatment options and local cancer resources.

Anyone needing more information about programs and services provided by the American Cancer Society can visit www.cancer.org. More information about the American Cancer Society's "More Birthdays" campaign is available at www.morebirthdays.com.