HIGH POINT, N.C., Oct. 21, 2008 – A number of one-of-a-kind designer jackets – ranging from elegant evening wear to playful whimsies - as well as hats and handbags, will be sold in an online auction coordinated by Showtime Magazine and the International Textile Market Assn., the organization of fabric suppliers that produce the semiannual Showtime™ events here.

ITMA members Charles Martel Associates, Classical Elements, Hamilton Fabric Sales, Tietex Interiors and Toray (Ultrasuede) America, and industry partners 200 Steele, American Leather (Showplace), Elite Mfg. (IHFC D-520), International Home Furnishing Center and Market Square have joined forces to support FRIENDS For An Earlier Breast Cancer Test®.

The proceeds from the auction will go to FRIENDS, a charitable foundation devoted to funding research for a biological earlier detection test for breast cancer.

The online auction will take place November 14 – 24 with an Opening Night Event with FRIENDS celebration at Winter Showtime™, Dec. 7, in High Point. Anyone who’d like

an email notice about the auction can contact ITMA at itmashowtime@northstate.net, or call 336-885-6842; links also available at www.EARLIER.org and www.ITMAShowtime.com.

Friends for an Earlier Breast Cancer Test® is the only 501(c)3 non-profit organization in the United States devoted exclusively to funding research to find a biological (such as blood, urine or saliva) earlier detection test for breast cancer.

Founder Martha Kaley emphasizes that an earlier detection test is important because “most breast cancer is present in the body five to eight years before it can be detected by current imaging methods.”

Catherine Morsell, executive director of ITMA, said this is the second fund-raising effort the fabric association and show have generated on behalf of Friends, which is represented by an upside-down pink ribbon logo.

“Everyone in the Home Furnishings Industry has been touched by breast cancer in some way; it’s important that we do our part to support research with fewer barriers.”

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