Olympus Uses eBay Giving Works Auction to Raise Colorectal Cancer Awareness

CENTER VALLEY, Pa. – Olympus, a global leader in endoscopy solutions and a precision technology leader in award-winning consumer products, will donate 10 percent of the proceeds from its consumer products sold through the eBay Giving Works auction to C3: Colorectal Cancer Coalition and the Entertainment Industry Foundation’s National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance (EIF’s NCCRA), to benefit advocacy and research. By demonstrating its commitment to the fight against colorectal cancer, Olympus hopes to raise funds to benefit these leading nonprofit organizations over the next 12 months. To visit this site, log on to http://stores.ebay.com/Olympus-Auctions.

Through this unique endeavor, Olympus is utilizing its expertise in both endoscopy and consumer electronic products to support research and awareness efforts in the fight against colorectal cancer. The proceeds from sales of Olympus products via the eBay Giving Works auction will be divided between C3: Colorectal Cancer Coalition and the EIF’s NCCRA, to directly support the eradication of this disease.

The donated profits received by C3 will be used to further its legislative and advocacy mission, whereas the profits received by EIF’s NCCRA will be used for to advance promising research.

"C3: Colorectal Cancer Coalition is grateful to Olympus for supporting our efforts to fight colorectal cancer through research, empowerment and access," said Carlea Bauman, president of C3. "We hope to one day make colorectal cancer no more deadly than the common cold – and we will only accomplish that through an increased commitment to ending this terrible disease. We applaud Olympus’ efforts to raise awareness, and raise the bar."

"On behalf of the Entertainment Industry Foundation’s National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance and co-founder Katie Couric, we are so grateful for Olympus’ steadfast commitment to our colon cancer initiative," said Lisa Paulsen, president and CEO of the Entertainment Industry Foundation. "Olympus’ ongoing support helps us with our efforts to generate greater awareness of this cancer, as well as accelerate important science that we hope will lead us to better tests, treatments and, ultimately, a cure."

In addition to the proceeds raised, all Olympus cameras bought on eBay will be shipped with information about colorectal cancer screening. "At Olympus, we believe it is our responsibility to help educate, inform and create awareness about colorectal cancer," said F. Mark Gumz, president and COO of Olympus America. "Our hope is that through our many Olympus initiatives, we will increase awareness and facilitate discussions about the disease."

Building on Olympus’ five-year history of selling products via eBay, the company believes it can create a positive philanthropic impact through the online program. Of note are the more than 3,000 unique visitors per day to the Olympus store on eBay. For more information regarding Olympus’ colorectal cancer efforts, please visit www.crcawareness.com.

The eBay Giving Works program (http://givingworks.ebay.com) is a dedicated charitable listing initiative, providing organizations with a creative way to support causes important to them. Since 2000, more than $94.5 million has been raised for charity from listings sold on eBay worldwide. eBay Giving Works combines the market of active buyers and sellers on eBay with the nonprofit certification and donations processing power of MissionFish. Its many features and functions are designed to make fundraising and cause marketing on eBay both simple and successful.

Note: No part of the purchase price can be considered deductible by the purchaser as a charitable contribution.

Source: Olympus America

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