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[at-l] Fraudulent Chain Letter - American Cancer Society

Just got this from the American Cancer Society's web page, 
http://www.cancer.org/frames.html

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Fraudulent Chain Letter

This statement may be copied or reprinted by online users

The American Cancer Society is greatly disturbed by reports of a
fraudulent chain letter circulating on the internet which lists the
American Cancer Society as a "corporate sponsor" but which has in no
way been endorsed by the American Cancer Society. There are several
variations of this letter in circulation, including one which has a
picture of "Tickle Me Elmo" and one that is essentially a paraphrase
of the letter below. 

The text of the original message reads as follows:

LITTLE JESSICA MYDEK IS SEVEN YEARS OLD AND IS SUFFERING FROM AN
ACUTE AND VERY RARE CASE OF CEREBRAL CARCINOMA. THIS CONDITION
CAUSES SEVERE MALIGNANT BRAIN TUMORS AND IS A TERMINAL ILLNESS. THE
DOCTORS HAVE GIVEN HER SIX MONTHS TO LIVE. 

AS PART OF HER DYING WISH, SHE WANTED TO START A CHAIN LETTER TO
INFORM PEOPLE OF THIS CONDITION AND TO SEND PEOPLE THE MESSAGE TO
LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST AND ENJOY EVERY MOMENT, A CHANCE THAT SHE
WILL NEVER HAVE. FURTHERMORE, THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY AND
SEVERAL CORPORATE SPONSORS HAVE AGREED TO DONATE THREE CENTS TOWARD
CONTINUING CANCER RESEARCH FOR EVERY NEW PERSON THAT GETS FORWARDED
THIS MESSAGE. PLEASE GIVE JESSICA AND ALL CANCER VICTIMS A CHANCE.

IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS, SEND THEM TO THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY
AT ACS@AOL.COM 

As far as the American Cancer Society can determine, the story of
Jessica Mydek is completely unsubstantiated. No fundraising efforts
are being made by the American Cancer Society using chain letters of
any kind. Furthermore, the email address ACS@AOL.COM is inactive.
Any messages to the American Cancer Society should be instead sent
through the American Cancer Society website at
http://www.cancer.org. 

This particular chain letter with its heartbreaking story appears to
have struck an emotional chord with online users. Although we are
very concerned that the American Cancer Society's name has been used
to manipulate the online public, we applaud the good intentions of
all who participated in this letter. We are pleased to note that
there are so many caring individuals out there and hope that they
will find another way to support cancer research. Jessica Mydek's
story, whether true or false, is representative of that of many
cancer patients who benefit daily from the efforts of legitimate
cancer organizations nationwide.

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