Corporate “Stars” Gather to Shine a Light on Raising Awareness for Multiple Sclerosis
Christopher & Banks, Microsoft, Deloitte, Genentech and Biogen Idec., and many more corporations recognized for their commitment to ending MS

DALLAS, OCTOBER 26, 2007 —Dozens of top executives from leading companies gathered today at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society's annual conference in Dallas.

The group of business leaders was recognized for their outstanding commitment to helping people with MS move their lives forward and to raising awareness for the disease and the National MS Society. Over 1,000 Society volunteers and staff acknowledged these corporate “stars” and partners at the organization's annual meeting.

Christopher & Banks received special recognition from the Society. The company was presented the “Shining Star” award, which is given annually to the corporate partner who has demonstrated the most growth during the past year in their nationwide commitment to raising awareness for MS and their work with the Society. Past recipients include Clear Channel Communications, Inc., FedEx and BP America.

Monica Dahl, Kipp Sassaman, Shannon Dow, and Kristina Holman from Christopher & Banks, were present to accept the award. The award was presented by a representative from Clear Channel, last year's recipient

Highlights of Christopher and Banks commitment to raising awareness for MS include:

• A decade of sponsoring the Minnesota Chapter's MS Walk with an investment of over $2.4 million dollars;
• A growing commitment to the MS Walk through support of walks at 15 chapters across the country and over $315,000 in sponsorship in 2007;
• Introduction of the “Join the Movement” jewelry line in Christopher & Banks stores. Introduced in the spring of 2007; the line has raised over $125,000 for the MS cause and sold out of stores nationwide by Labor Day!

“We have a shared vision with the National MS Society to see a world free of multiple sclerosis,” said Monica Dahl, Christopher & Banks. “We are honored to be recognized by the National MS Society and we thank all of you for your work to end MS. We also want to thank the associates of Christopher & Banks for their commitment and enthusiasm for support ing the MS Society they are the reason we are here today.”

New Stars Light the Way to a World Free of MS
Several new corporate partners achieved “corporate star” status this year with commitments to the Society. New companies include:

Microsoft
Microsoft has made a significant mark toward ending MS. The company's support and involvement includes:

• The MS Technology Collaborative a landmark venture between Microsoft, the Society and Bayer HealthCare that is exploring the role that technology plays in the lives of people living with MS and how people with MS use technology to address the challenges of living with MS. This initiative will also help individuals take action to improve their ability to stay connected, informed and engaged.  
• Engaging the Society in its innovative i'm initiative, which allows users of Windows Live Messenger to select one of ten cause related organizations to support while sending instant messages; in turn, Microsoft is donating a minimum of $100,000 to the Society in support of the initiative and to encourage cause awareness with its customers.
• Over a dozen Microsoft bike teams have participated in MS Bike Rides across the country; in 2007 alone Team Microsoft has raised nearly $200,000 for the MS cause.
• Over $400,000 in in-kind technology donations has been provided to Society chapters.

Deloitte
Deloitte has been a longtime partner in the movement to end MS. Their commitment spans over two decades and reaches nearly 20 markets across the country:

• Former CEO Ed Kangas has been on the Society's national board for 22 years and served as the Chair of the Society's National Board from 2002 2005.
• More than a dozen partners and senior staff hold active board positions and provide local leadership to National Multiple Sclerosis Society Chapters
• Employees from across the company continue to make their mark against MS and have committed thousands of hours in volunteer time and talent.
• Deloitte's MS Bike Team has been riding in MS rides for several years and this year alone rode in 17 MS rides. Since joining the MS movement their bike team has raised over $700,000. Deloitte MS Walk Teams account for an additional $60,000.
• The company has also maximized its strategic consulting services and has donated over $400,000 in volunteer and consulting to the Society.

Genentech and Biogen Idec.
Genentech and Biogen Idec have demonstrated their leadership and commitment to people with MS and the Society through the support of a variety of projects including:

• An innovative research project on quality of MS health care
• Involvement in nationwide MS Awareness Week initiatives
• The ongoing work of the Society's Professional Resource Center and Library
• A unique patient education program focusing on clinical trials
• National conference activities
• Efforts in Primary Progressive MS
• Local chapter activities

About the National MS Society's Corporate Star Program
The National MS Society Corporate Star program recognizes corporations that encourage volunteerism, lend their good names to fundraising events, contribute in-kind and cash sponsorship, support the establishment of corporate teams, provide expertise and leadership for Society chapters, advocate for increased accessibility for people with multiple sclerosis and other disabilities as well as fund programs and research for people with MS through foundation grants or corporate gifts.

“The collective commitment from our corporate stars and corporate partners is equivalent to millions and millions of dollars in donated time, resources and services,” said Joyce Nelson , President and CEO of the National MS Society. “But it really is invaluable to know that some of the most well-known and most respected companies in the world are side-by-side with us in our commitment to people with MS as we move towards a world free from MS.”

About Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis interrupts the flow of information between the brain and the body and it stops people from moving.  Every hour in the United States , someone is newly diagnosed with MS, an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system. Symptoms range from numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis. The progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot yet be predicted, but advances in research and treatment are moving us closer to a world free of MS. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, with more than twice as many women as men being diagnosed with the disease.  MS affects more than 400,000 people in the U.S. , and 2.5 million worldwide.

About the National Multiple Sclerosis Society
MS stops people from moving.  The National MS Society exists to make sure it doesn't.  We help each person address the challenges of living with MS.  In 2006 alone, through our home office and 50 state network of chapters, we devoted over $125 million to programs that enhanced more than one million lives.  To move us closer to a world free of MS, the Society also invested more than $46 million to support 380 research projects around the world.  We are people who want to do something about MS now.  Join the movement at nationalmssociety.org.

Early and ongoing treatment with an FDA-approved therapy can make a difference for people with multiple sclerosis. Learn about your options by talking to your health care professional and contacting the National MS Society at www.nationalMSsociety.org or 1-800-FIGHT-MS (344-4867).

Christopher & Banks Corporation currently operates 531 Christopher & Banks stores in 46 states. Additionally, Christopher & Banks Corp. operates 243 C.J. Banks stores in 38 states offering women's casual apparel for sizes 14 and more; and 38 Acorn boutique stores in 14 states.