NYSUT ranked first in the nation for the 2011 American Cancer Society's National Team Partner Program, raising $1,022,015 and topping the likes of General Motors and Walmart.
"We couldn't be more proud of our members and their continued support for research in the fight against cancer," said NYSUT Vice President Maria Neira.
Last year marked the first time NYSUT was eligible to join ACS's national partnership; in previous years organizations were required to have activity in at least four states. The ACS board changed the rules for national partnership eligibility in 2011, and now allows organizations that raise $200,000 or more in a single state. NYSUT became a national partner during the 2011 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event. The second-highest fundraiser was GM with $912,027; Walmart ranked third with $433,637.
Mark Chaykin, NYSUT's director of field services, said members deserve "one big shout out" for this prestigous ranking. NYSUT has been a state flagship sponsor of the ACS walks for more than 10 years. The union helps stage the events throughout the state during the fall, when thousands of union members don their sneakers and walk for a cure for breast cancer.