PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 3, 2007--Design agency Edge Design, in a partnership with Off The Wall Media, has launched www.Hawkathon.org, a Web site that supports breast cancer research in an unusual way.

The site encourages participants to wear a Mohawk hairstyle in exchange for pledges from friends and family to the Oregon Health & Science University Cancer Institute. To date, the Hawk-A-Thon has raised over $16,530 for breast cancer research, with 100 percent of every donation going to the OHSU Cancer Institute. In the United States, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, accounting for nearly one in three cancers diagnosed.

The Hawk-A-Thon was the brainchild of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" Production Manager J Graigory, whose friends and co-workers wanted to show support for a fellow crewmember undergoing breast cancer treatment. Graigory said he picked Edge Design because the agency's designs are innovative and fresh, and because Edge offered the best creative and technical resources to "capture the spirit of the Hawk-A-Thon without alienating any kind of group."

"Edge Design deserves a standing ovation for what their team created and executed with Hawk-A-Thon.org," Graigory said. "I don't need to appeal for an encore. Hawk-A-Thon.org not only draws viewers, it raises money and awareness, and we have Edge Design to thank for that."

The Hawk-A-Thon site has many interactive features. The Hawk Gallery allows visitors to vote on their favorite Mohawk photo, send it to a friend, or submit their own photo. The Razor's Edge section encourages people to share their experiences participating in the Hawk-A-Thon and to describe their experiences with breast cancer.

"The Hawk-A-Thon project allowed Off The Wall Media to be a part of a unique online community effort," said Zeb Yaklich, president of Off The Wall Media. "We'll continue supporting worthwhile projects such as Hawkathon.org until we have found a cure."

Edge Design staff member Jordan Gushwa eagerly shaved his hair into a Mohawk to support the Hawk-A-Thon efforts. Other Edge staffers supported Jordan with over $150 in donations. "It's amazing how quickly people will donate to see you bravely give of your hair to help people with breast cancer," Gushwa said.

This isn't the first time Edge Design has donated its services to help breast cancer. In October, the agency helped to sponsor Puttin' on the Pink, an event that raised more than $70,000 to benefit Project H.E.R (Help, Enlightenment, and Resources). The Corvallis Clinic program provides support to women recently diagnosed with breast cancer.

"In 2006, we were asked to help with two new projects in support of breast cancer research and awareness, including the Hawk-A-Thon," said Edge President Ian Johnson. "It's great to get involved with projects in which a high percentage of funds raised go directly to the cause, and it's a bonus to be able to work with people like J. Graigory, whose passion to make a difference is infectious."

Ivy Ingram, Community Relations manager at OHSU Cancer Institute, has been thrilled with the response to Hawk-A-Thon. "We are grateful that the Hawk-A-Thon organizers chose to support the OHSU Cancer Institute's breast cancer research efforts," Ingram said. "The support of such creative and dedicated individuals directly translates to funding that will help our researchers make more discoveries to heal patients and save lives."

To learn more and see the featured Mohawk of the Month, visit www.Hawkathon.org.

About Edge Design

Edge Design is a design and communication agency specializing in corporate identity, branding, print collateral, custom web design, and programming. Now in its twenty-third year of business, Edge Design has long-term strategic partnerships with clients ranging from local nonprofit organizations to Fortune 100 companies. Edge Design has offices in Portland and Corvallis, Oregon.

On the Web: www.edgedesign.us.

Copyright Business Wire 2007

Edge Design

Edge Design

Edge Design is a design and communication agency specializing in corporate identity, branding, print collateral, custom web design, and programming. Now in its twenty-third year of business, Edge Design has long-term strategic partnerships with clients ranging from local nonprofit organizations to Fortune 100 companies. Edge Design has offices in Portland and Corvallis, Oregon.

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