Bakeries and florists nationwide find a way to make life a little sweeter and brighter for children and their families NEW YORK, Sept. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month, and from September 21 - 27, 2009, leading bakeries and florists nationwide will team up with parents and kids for the sixth annual Cupcakes for a Cause Week, supporting children affected by a cancer diagnosis - either their own or that of a family member. Participating bakeries will sell specially decorated cupcakes and donate a portion of the proceeds from their sale to CancerCare for Kids , a program that provides free, professional counseling and support services to children affected by cancer. Cupcakes sold through the Cupcakes for a Cause campaign bear a candy image of the smiley-face icon of the CancerCare for Kids program. Last year's campaign raised more than $120,000 for the program. "Cupcakes for a Cause is a wonderful way for families to work together to help children affected by this devastating illness," said Diane Blum, Executive Director of CancerCare . "This year, we are delighted to have 1-800-FLOWERS.COM support this important campaign. Children diagnosed with cancer, and those who have a parent or sibling with cancer, face very difficult emotional questions and concerns. Our master's level, oncology-trained social workers help children understand cancer, talk about their feelings and become less afraid." "1-800-FLOWERS.COM is thrilled to team up with CancerCare for its Sixth Annual Cupcakes for a Cause Week," said Jim McCann, Founder and CEO 1-800-FLOWERS.COM. "With the exclusive Cupcakes for a Cause collection, social media support, and participation of our local BloomNet florists, both 1-800-FLOWERS.COM and its customers will have the opportunity to support this important campaign and help children in need." 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, INC (FLWS), the world's leading florist and gift shop, is supporting Cupcakes for a Cause with several exciting initiatives, both online and in-store to include the following: Cupcakes for a Cause collection: 1-800-FLOWERS.COM will donate 10% of Net Proceeds from the Cupcakes for a Cause collection to support CancerCare for Kids. CancerCare E-Cupcake Sponsorship: . Through its sponsorship of the e-Cupcake, 1-800-FLOWERS.COM will make a one dollar donation for every e-Cupcake sent, up to $5,000. Parents and kids can decorate and send this unique virtual e-Cupcake in honor of Cupcakes for a Cause. 1-800-FLOWERS.COM Facebook Fan Page: Become a fan of 1-800-FLOWERS.COM on Facebook and 1-800-FLOWERS.COM will donate one dollar per fan, up to $1,000, to CancerCare for Kids. BloomNet Florists: The 1-800-FLOWERS.COM network of professional florists, BloomNet , has joined the fundraising efforts for CancerCare for Kids. Participating BloomNet florists will donate 10% of the Net Proceeds from sales of the Cupcake in Bloom(TM) floral bouquets during Cupcakes for a Cause Week. Please visit http://www.cupcakesforacause.org/ for a complete list of participating bakeries and florists nationwide and to send an e-Cupcake. In addition, http://www.cupcakesforacause.org/ includes information on hosting a bake sale, event tips/materials and a red velvet cupcake recipe from celebrity baker Matt Lewis of Baked in Brooklyn, NY and Charleston, SC. For more information about CancerCare for Kids(TM), visit http://www.cancercareforkids.org/. About CancerCare CancerCare is a national non-profit organization founded in 1944 that provides free professional support services to anyone affected by cancer: people with cancer, caregivers, children, loved ones, and the bereaved. CancerCare programs include counseling, education, financial assistance and practical help. Children and teens affected by cancer have special needs and concerns. CancerCare for Kids offers practical support, education and advice to parents, and counseling to children and teens to help them understand cancer. All services are provided by trained oncology social workers and are completely free of charge. For more information, call 1-800-813-HOPE (4673) or visit http://www.cancercare.org/. About 1-800-Flowers 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. is the world's leading florist and gift shop. For more than 30 years, 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. has been providing customers with fresh flowers and the finest selection of plants, gift baskets, gourmet foods, confections, balloons and plush stuffed animals perfect for every occasion. 1-800-FLOWERS (1-800-356-9377 or http://www.1800flowers.com/), was listed as a Top 50 Online Retailer by Internet Retailer in 2006, as well as 2008 Laureate Honoree by the Computerworld Honors Program and the recipient of ICMI's 2006 Global Call Center of the Year Award. 1-800-FLOWERS.COM offers the best of both worlds: exquisite arrangements created by some of the nation's top floral artists and hand-delivered the same day, and spectacular flowers shipped overnight from its Fresh From Our Growers collection. As always, 100% satisfaction and freshness are guaranteed. Also, visit 1-800-Flowers en Espanol (http://www.1800flowersenespanol.com/). The Company's BloomNet international floral wire service provides (http://www.mybloomnet.net/) a broad range of quality products and value-added services designed to help professional florists grow their businesses profitably. The 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. "Gift Shop" also includes gourmet gifts such as popcorn and specialty treats from The Popcorn Factory (1-800-541-2676 or http://www.thepopcornfactory.com/); cookies and baked gifts from Cheryl&Co. (1-800-443-8124 or http://www.cherylandco.com/); premium chocolates and confections from Fannie May confections brands (http://www.fanniemay.com/ and http://www.harrylondon.com/); wine gifts from Ambrosia (http://www.ambrosia.com/) and Geerlings&Wade(SM) (http://www.geerwade.com/); gift baskets from 1-800-BASKETS.COM (http://www.1800baskets.com/) and DesignPac gifts (http://www.designpac.com/); Celebrations (http://www.celebrations.com/), a new premier online destination for fabulous party ideas and planning tips; as well as Home Decor and Children's Gifts from Plow & Hearth (1-800-627-1712 or http://www.plowandhearth.com/), Wind & Weather (http://www.windandweather.com/), HearthSong (http://www.hearthsong.com/) and Magic Cabin (http://www.magiccabin.com/). Shares in 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. are traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, ticker symbol: FLWS. DATASOURCE: 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. CONTACT: Kristy Rivera of MWW Group for 1-800-Flowers.com, +1-212-827-3754, Web Site: http://www.1800flowers.com/

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