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Tanger raises funds for HCC breast cancer program by Mary Helen Yarborough Public Relations The Tanger Outlet in North Charleston has raised more than $25,000 for the Hollings Cancer Center (HCC) breast care program though sales of discount cards and coupon books since 2006.   On Jan. 16, Tanger Outlet officials presented a check to HCC in the amount of $15,554 raised during a fundraising campaign Sept. 20 to Oct. 20, which will be used in treatment, research and support for breast cancer patients, said Megan Baker Ruppel, M.D., medical director of HCC’s Comprehensive Breast Care program. “What people may not realize is that $1,000 is enough money to buy each of our chemo patients a wig for a year,” Ruppel said. “And Tanger raised more than 15 times that.”   Tanger’s breast cancer awareness campaign raised the money through a variety of programs at its centers. For a $1 donation, Tanger shoppers received a pink card that gave them discounts at participating stores. Tanger also supplemented the donations by contributing to HCC 10 percent of all Tanger gift cards that were purchased during the campaign. Nationally, Tanger’s 14th annual breast cancer fundraiser in the fall raised $624,000.   During its first fundraiser after opening its North Charleston center in 2006, Tanger raised more than $10,000 for HCC’s breast cancer program. “We were worried about how it would go since we had just opened,” said Suzanne Oden, Tanger general manager. “But it went very well. We are very proud of our second event, and we've set a goal of raising $25,000 this October.”   Stanley Tanger, Tanger Outlet CEO, is committed to supporting cancer research and treatment, Oden said. “His wife is a breast cancer survivor and he has told us that we should not hesitate to participate in these types of benefits,” Oden said.   Oden said Tanger also plans to feature HCC health demonstrations and services, including hosting its mobile cancer screening van.     Friday, Feb. 1, 2008 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.