Press Release

International Medical Corps and 140Hours Announce Strategic Alliance for Haitian Fundraiser

International Medical Corps, a humanitarian relief and development organization with programs in more than 20 countries worldwide, announces a strategic alliance with New York-based art auction company 140hours® to raise funds for its emergency response to the 7.0 earthquake that hit Haiti January 12, 2010.

140hours, which uses innovative social networking technologies, including Twitter, to facilitate bidding and purchases by art collectors and patrons in its real time online auctions, has gathered donated artworks for its “140hours Haitian Relief Art Auction” from artists in more than 16 countries.  The donated works will be sold to the highest bidders during a special 48-hour duration auction commencing Friday, January 29 at 9 p.m. EDT at its website: www.140hours.com.  The auction will run until 9 p.m. EDT on Sunday, January 31, 2010.

“One-hundred-percent of proceeds from the sale of artworks will go directly to Haiti, thanks to the generosity of artists who have risen to our call for donations at a phenomenal rate”, stated Gary Brant, CEO of 140hours, based in New York City. “International Medical Corps is the ideal partner for us because they are not only relieving suffering on the ground in Haiti, but their physicians are training onsite Haitian rescue personnel, who will be able to treat those in need in the aftermath of this terrible disaster.”

Eighty-percent of all proceeds raised through the auction will benefit International Medical Corps’ Emergency Response in Haiti with the remaining 20-percent benefiting Doctors Without Borders.

“We are so thankful to 140hours and the artists who donated their work to helping us save lives in Haiti after this devastating earthquake”, says Rebecca Milner, VP, Institutional Advancement for International Medical Corps.  “140hours – and the artists who responded to their call to action – will make a tremendous impact on the lives of Haitians who need our support, not just through the funds raised, but also the awareness raised through use of social networking technologies like Twitter.”

International Medical Corps’ response to the earthquake in Haiti draws on 25 years experience in emergency settings, including last September’s earthquake in Sumatra, Indonesia, and the massive 2005 earthquake in Pakistan.

About 140hours: 140hours is reinventing the art auction business by integrating the power of social media, including Twitter, to enable art collectors to interact with its advanced real-time bidding system, and merge the traditional gallery with 21st century technologies. 140hours’ mission is to bring its artists to a world audience, bolstering their careers, while devoting part of its success to those in need through its “140hours GivesBack” charitable program. For more information visit our website at www.140hours.com.

Help us save lives.