DBRN The Dress Barn, Inc. (MM)

In October, dressbarn stores around the nation will join in observing National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Beginning October 1 and continuing through December 15, while supplies last, dressbarn stores will have the "smoochable pooch" Skye, a soft, plush stuffed animal, available for adoption for $5. The entire $2 net profit from each sale will go to the American Cancer Society (ACS) to support local and national breast cancer initiatives.

"The statistics tell the story," says Vivian Behrens, executive vice president and chief marketing officer of dressbarn inc. "In the United States, a woman has a 1 in 8 chance of developing invasive breast cancer in her lifetime, and breast cancer is still the second most common cancer afflicting women, after skin cancer. We know that every dollar we raise can help improve those odds."

During National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the ACS, along with associations, government agencies and businesses across the country, works to increase awareness about the disease and the importance of early detection. According to the ACS, breast cancer will claim the life of about 1 in every 35 women in the U.S., although death rates are declining, partly because of increased awareness. There are now more than two and a half million breast cancer survivors in the U.S., including three from the dressbarn family, who are this year's fund-raising campaign "poster women."

"dressbarn's support of National Breast Cancer Awareness month is part of a partnership with the ACS that began in 2002," explains David R. Jaffe, dressbarn President and CEO. "Our stores are also proud sponsors of Relay for Life events throughout the country. Each year we are determined to set and reach new goals in our fund-raising efforts." In Relay for Life events, groups ask friends, family and colleagues to sponsor them as they walk or run laps to raise money for the fight against cancer.

Throughout the course of their partnership with the ACS, dressbarn inc. has contributed more than $6.5 million in support of the ACS's goals: to prevent cancer, save lives and diminish suffering from cancer.

"We are proud members of each of the business communities where are stores are located and we're happy to have this chance to give something back to our customers and our neighbors," says Behrens. "When you adopt your own Skye puppy, you join women and others throughout the country in the fight against this terrible disease."

To learn more about dressbarn's collaboration with the American Cancer Society, or to find your neighborhood store, please visit www.dressbarn.com.

About dressbarn dressbarn, a division of dressbarn inc (NASDAQ: DBRN), is a leading national women's specialty apparel retailer offering quality casual and career fashion apparel. dressbarn stores carry styles in sizes 4 to 24, as well as shoes and accessories As of June 2010, dressbarn inc's three brands operated over 830 dressbarn stores in 47 states, over 750 maurices stores in 44 states, and over 900 Justice stores in 45 states, Puerto Rico, Russia and the Middle East. For more information, please visit dressbarn.com.