[May 21, 2013]

American Cancer Society to Recognize Industry Leaders at Annual Financial Services Cares Gala

The American Cancer Society announced today it will be hosting the 8^th Annual Financial Services Cares Gala on Monday, June 24, 2013, at Cipriani 42^nd Street, in New York. The event will gather hundreds of leaders in the financial industry in an effort to raise awareness, funds and support for the programs and mission of the American Cancer Society.

"Year after year, I am pleased to see this highly regarded event be so well attended by industry players who vow to make a difference," states Don Distasio, EVP, Eastern Division, American Cancer Society, Inc. "The 2013 line-up of financial service executives, local celebrities and cancer survivors is sure to make yet another night for the books for the American Cancer Society. I look forward to continued success at this summer's go-to event."

Each year, a prominent philanthropic leader is presented with the Eugene D. O'Kelly Award, named after KPMG's former Chairman and CEO, Eugene O'Kelly. O'Kelly, who passed away in 2005, was a champion of philanthropy and volunteerism in the financial services business and a man who worked hard to promote wellness in the workplace. This year, Dr. Andrew L. Kung, Director of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation at Columbia University Medical Center/ New York PresbyterianMorgan Stanley Children's Hospital, will be honored with this award for his ongoing medical breakthroughs and research.

Additionally, PIMCO, a leading global investment management firm, will be presented with the 2013 Financial Services Cares Distinguished Service Award. Each year, the prestigious award pays tributes to an organization and its employees for the wellness impact it has made in the larger community. Jonathan Short, Managing Director, Head of Global Wealth Management, Head of PIMCO New York, will be accepting the award as the representative of the firm this year.

"On behalf of the Financial Services committee, we are extremely pleased to honor the important work of both Dr. Kung and PIMCO who demonstrate a continued commitment to cancer awareness and research," states John Thiel, Head of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and Chairman of the Financial Services Cares Gala. "Over the course of Dr. Kung's career, he has been a leader in the fight against cancer, most especially with his guidance and dedication towards children. We also commend PIMCO for their efforts that have made a significant impact in helping achieve the American Cancer Society's goals through its nationwide work with Relay for Life events."

The American Cancer Society will share a portion of the proceeds from the event to support the Hope & Heroes Children's Cancer Fund at Columbia University Medical Center/New York Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital for its cutting-edge programs and research. Last year, the Financial Services Cares Gala raised $1,500,000 with a record 600 attendees. Money raised at the annual event helps continue the American Cancer Society's mission to create a world with less cancer and more birthdays.

The 8^th Annual Financial Services Cares Gala will be held on Monday, June 24, 2013, at 6:00pm EDT, at Cipriani 42nd Street. For additional information or to purchase tickets, please visit http://cog.to/14eXevw or contact [email protected].

About the American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end suffering from cancer. As a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers, we fight for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. We save lives by helping people stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early; helping people get well by being there for them during and after a cancer diagnosis; by finding cures through investment in groundbreaking discovery; and by fighting back by rallying lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and by rallying communities worldwide to join the fight. As the nation's largest non-governmental investor in cancer research, contributing about $3.5 billion, we turn what we know about cancer into what we do. As a result, more than 11 million people in America who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will be celebrating birthdays this year. To learn more about us or to get help, call us any time, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.

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