ANN INC., the parent Company of Ann Taylor and LOFT, announced today that it is partnering with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for the sixth consecutive year to support the organization’s annual St. Jude Thanks and Giving campaign. Holiday shoppers will be encouraged to help children with cancer and other deadly diseases by donating funds for pioneering research and exceptional care provided at St. Jude.

Clients who shop at Ann Taylor, Ann Taylor Factory, LOFT and LOFT Outlet stores now through December 31, will have the opportunity to support St. Jude through an add-on donation during the checkout process. Additionally, to honor St. Jude’s mission of finding cures and saving children, Ann Taylor collaborated with fashion illustrator and designer, Virginia Johnson, to create a limited edition scarf and tote. The collection is inspired by the iconic elephant shared by the primary long-term stay residence for St. Jude patients and families. It stands for family and love, and 60 percent of the purchase price the Elephant Scarf and Tote will be donated to St. Jude. Both are available at Ann Taylor and anntaylor.com from November 16, 2012 through February 2, 2013.

“Through the passion and support of our ANN INC. family of brands, associates and clients, we are proud to be part of the life changing work being done at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital,” stated Kay Krill, President and CEO of ANN INC. “As a mother of two, I am personally grateful that our company is able to raise significant funds needed to make a difference in the lives of these children and their families.”

As a company for women, ANN INC.'s purpose is realized through its cause and corporate social responsibility initiatives that focus on caring for the full lives and well-being of all women, including women with children. Since 2007, ANN INC. has raised more than $11 million for the children and families of St. Jude through its ANN Cares charitable platform. To date, ANN Cares has contributed more than $20 million to charitable partners.

"The return of ANN INC. as a St. Jude Thanks and Giving partner is a testament to the company’s commitment to the lifesaving mission of St. Jude," said Marlo Thomas, national outreach director for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. "Thanks to partners like ANN INC. and its loyal clients, St. Jude is able to continue saving the lives of countless children around the world, all at no cost to patients and their families."

The St. Jude Thanks and Giving campaign, created in 2004 by Marlo Thomas and her siblings Terre and Tony, children of St. Jude founder Danny Thomas, celebrates the season of giving by building attention and garnering funds for St. Jude during those months of busy holiday shopping. The funds raised during this campaign impact the lives of children in communities across the world, as St. Jude openly shares research discoveries directly with doctors and scientists everywhere.

To find your local Ann Taylor, Ann Taylor Factory, LOFT and LOFT Outlet Stores or to donate online, visit anntaylor.com or LOFT.com. To learn more about the St. Jude Thanks and Giving campaign or to make a donation, visit stjude.org or call 1-800-4STJUDE.

About ANN INC.
ANN INC. is the parent Company of Ann Taylor and LOFT, two of the leading women’s specialty retail fashion brands in North America. The Company operates 962 Ann Taylor, Ann Taylor Factory, LOFT and LOFT Outlet stores in 46 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Canada as of July 28, 2012, as well as online at AnnTaylor.com and LOFT.com. Visit ANNINC.com for more information (NYSE: ANN).

About ANN Cares®
ANN INC.'s commitment to corporate responsibility extends into the communities where we live and work. Through its charitable platform, ANN Cares, the Company develops campaigns that engage, inspire, and connect its clients and associates with the charities that it supports.  ANN INC. provides support to renowned programs that contribute to women's and children's health and well-being, as well as its associates and the environment.  Since 2005, the Company has contributed over $20 million to its national charitable partners.  Visit ResponsiblyANN.com for more information.  

About St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital:
Since opening 50 years ago, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has changed the way the world treats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. No family ever pays St. Jude for the care their child receives and, for every child treated here, thousands more have been saved worldwide through St. Jude discoveries. The hospital has played a pivotal role in pushing U.S. pediatric cancer survival rates from 20 to 80 percent overall, and is the first and only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. It is also a leader in the research and treatment of blood disorders and infectious diseases in children. St. Jude was founded by the late entertainer Danny Thomas, who believed that no child should die in the dawn of life. Join that mission by visiting stjude.org or following us on facebook.com/stjude and twitter.com/stjude.

ANN INC.

ANN INC.

ANN INC. is the parent Company of Ann Taylor and LOFT, two of the leading women's specialty retail fashion brands in the United States. The Company operates 942 Ann Taylor, Ann Taylor Factory, LOFT and LOFT Outlet stores in 46 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico as of July 30, 2011, as well as online at AnnTaylor.com and LOFT.com. Visit ANNINC.com for more information (NYSE: ANN).

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