The Belk Foundation Donates $25,000 Grant to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of AL

February, 2009

The Belk Foundation Announces $25,000 Grant
to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama

CHARLOTTE, N.C., February 19, 2009 – The Belk Foundation has announced a $25,000 grant to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama (BCRFA), Birmingham, Ala., to support the organization’s efforts to fund laboratories and research dedicated to finding a cure for breast cancer.

“There are few causes more important than the quest to find a cure for breast cancer. The Belk Foundation is pleased to present this grant to support the mission and work of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama,” said Katie Belk Morris, president of The Belk Foundation board of advisors. “Breast cancer is a disease that affects the lives of so many, and we are honored to assist this very worthy cause.”

Jan Clevenger, chair of Belk’s Western Division based in Birmingham, recently presented the grant check to the BCRFA’s President of the Board of Directors Dianne Mooney during the BCRFA’s Annual Check Presentation to the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center.

“What a generous gift to so many!” said Mooney. “On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama, I’d like to offer The Belk Foundation endless gratitude for helping fund important new research that will lead to more successful therapies and, ultimately, to the cure. Belk’s beautiful gift brings hope and courage to all who have been touched by this disease.”

The Belk Foundation’s $25,000 grant will provide funding for the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Comprehensive Cancer Center and its cutting-edge breast cancer research.

About the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama

Since its inception in 1996, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama has raised nearly $2.1 million to fund labs and research dedicated to finding a cure for breast cancer. The Foundation has provided funding for cutting-edge equipment and experimental therapies for the Tade Thuston Breast Cancer Research Lab. It has also provided funds to establish the D.D. Sokol lab, named in memory of D.D. Sokol, who lost her courageous battle with breast cancer in May 2000. The Foundation takes great pride in knowing that these funds are being used to help discover tomorrow’s therapies today.

About The Belk Foundation

The mission of The Belk Foundation is to support deserving educational, religious, cultural, social, health and human services causes and organizations located in the communities where Belk associates live and work, in the states where Belk stores are located. Grants are awarded to support the goals and programs of community organizations including:

· secondary schools, colleges and universities;

· religious institutions and organizations, with an emphasis on Presbyterian organizations and causes;

· arts and other cultural organizations;

· community-based human services organizations; and

· hospitals and other healthcare organizations and institutions.

As a family foundation, The Belk Foundation is committed to fulfilling the philanthropic vision of its founders to encourage and support causes aimed at the “up-building of mankind.” The grants it awards are a public expression of the Belk family’s values of stewardship, community involvement and planned giving.

Media Contacts: Paul Wyche, Trustee

The Belk Foundation

704-426-8404

paul_wyche@belk.com

Jennifer Galbreath, Program Director

Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama

205-996-5463

jgalbrea@uab.edu

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