CUTCO Joins a Cause that's Close to Women's Hearts.

OLEAN, N.Y. -- This year 460,000 American women will die of cardiovascular disease. In fact, it's the single greatest killer of women - and men - today.

Those alarming statistics have driven CUTCO Cutlery, North America's largest manufacturer and marketer of high-quality kitchen cutlery, to team up with the American Heart Association's powerful Go Red For Women movement.

Through 2008, CUTCO will donate a minimum of $200,000 to Go Red For Women to help raise awareness and fight cardiovascular disease in women. By 2010, the American Heart Association hopes to reduce heart disease, stroke and risk by 25 percent through efforts like Go Red For Women.

"The CUTCO family is dedicated to helping every woman live a healthier, longer life," said Jim Stitt, president and CEO of Alcas Corp., parent company of CUTCO and its sales subsidiary, Vector Marketing Corp. "Since making healthy meals is key to living a healthy lifestyle, CUTCO and Go Red For Women make perfect partners."

The American Heart Association welcomes CUTCO to a roster of prestigious companies that have also decided to support this cause.

"Many people know that heart disease is the number one killer of men, but few realize that it is also the number one killer of women," said Andy Buroker, American Heart Association chairman of the board. "We recognize CUTCO's commitment to help the Go Red For Women movement empower women with knowledge and tools so they can take positive action to reduce their risks of heart disease by taking the Go Red Heart CheckUp. The CheckUp provides their personal 10-year risk assessment and tips on how to protect their health."

About Go Red For Women Since 2004, Go Red For Women has captured the energy, passion, and intelligence of women to work collectively to wipe out heart disease - the number one killer of women. Today, the goal is to encourage millions of women across America to take heart disease personally. Using the simple platform "Love Your Heart," Go Red For Women engages these women - and the men who love them - to embrace the cause. Healthcare providers, celebrities, and politicians also elevate the cause and spread the word about women and heart disease. For more information about Go Red For Women, please call 1-888-MY-HEART (1-888-694-3278) or visit GoRedForWomen.org.

CUTCO, celebrating its 58th anniversary, is the largest manufacturer and marketer of high-quality kitchen cutlery and accessories in the United States and Canada. Its cutlery features state-of-the-art knife design that includes high-carbon, stain-resistant steel blades, Double D([R]) "stay-sharp" recessed edges and award-winning ergonomic handles. All CUTCO products are marketed directly to consumers and are backed by the company's "Forever Guarantee," which ensures that CUTCO's cutlery stays within families for generations. CUTCO is a proud supporter of the American Heart Association's Go Red For Women movement. For more information about CUTCO, please call toll free 800-828-0448 or visit its Web site, www.cutco.com. The Cutco Foundation is another charitable endeavor of the company. Founded in 1996, the foundation strives to fulfill its mission of improving education, community quality of life, and key community organizations.