American Lung Association Launches 2010 Christmas Seals® Campaign

News provided by

Oct 08, 2010, 10:30 ET

WASHINGTON, Oct. 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Lung Association launched its 2010 Christmas Seals Campaign, the year-end holiday fundraising drive that raises money to support the charity's fight for healthy lungs and healthy air. This week, more than 11 million households nationwide will receive Christmas Seals in the mail, courtesy of the Lung Association. These holiday stamps, used to decorate cards and packages, have remained a holiday tradition for 104 consecutive years.

"On behalf of the American Lung Association, I want to thank the millions of Americans who contribute every year to support the Christmas Seals Campaign," said Chuck Connor, President and CEO of the American Lung Association. "It's wonderful to have so many people across the country involved in the Lung Association's fight for healthy lungs and air."

The Christmas Seals Campaign is the nation's oldest direct-mail fundraising campaign, which began in 1907 to combat tuberculosis. Today, the Lung Association remains the third largest nonprofit mailer, and fights new battles against influenza, asthma, tobacco use, lung cancer and air pollution.

In a creative effort to appeal to people's sense of nostalgia, the American Lung Association brings three historic Christmas Seals to life in several television public service advertisements, which can be viewed on ChristmasSeals.org. The charity also developed print and radio public service advertisements, all of which will drive people to the newly redesigned ChristmasSeals.org.

Even though, according to the U.S. Postal Service, Americans sent nearly 20 billion pieces of mail last holiday season, more and more people are choosing to send holiday greetings online. People can visit ChristmasSeals.org to view over one hundred years of Christmas Seals that they can either send in an e-card to friends or loved ones or post a Seal on Facebook. The website also features Christmas seals videos and a new children's section with a holiday game and coloring sheet to download.

The Lung Association encourages everyone to shop for a cause this year and has developed new Christmas Seals gift merchandise, which is available for purchase on ChristmasSeals.org. Vintage products include wrapping paper, adhesive gift tags, lapel pins and holiday ornaments. New products this year include a Christmas Seals apron, sugar cookie mix and cookie cutters. Net proceeds from the sale of all these items will help support the mission of the Lung Association.

For more information on the American Lung Association's Christmas Seals Campaign, visit www.ChristmasSeals.org.

About the American Lung Association:

Now in its second century, the American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. With your generous support, the American Lung Association is "Fighting for Air" through research, education and advocacy. For more information about the American Lung Association, or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872) or visit www.lungusa.org.

SOURCE American Lung Association