MUNDELEIN, IL--(Marketwire - March 16, 2009) - It's not unusual for perioperative nurses to be up and ready to go at 5:30 a.m. -- it's a profession filled with early risers. Even so, it was quite a sight when the first of more than 1,000 began lining up a half an hour before the doors opened to Medline Industries' "Together We Can Save Lives Through Early Detection" breakfast forum Monday in Chicago. They were there to hear award-winning journalist, television producer and author Linda Ellerbee speak about her breast cancer experience.

"I'd come if it was at 4:00 a.m.," said Bonnie Vencill, R.N., C.N.O.R., of Southside Regional Medical Center in Petersburg, Va. "This is an awesome event because it shows how, with courage, women tackle cancer. It's very emotional and uplifting to know that even though there are trials and tribulations, you can persevere."

The forum was held in conjunction with the start of the Association of periOpertive Registered Nurses' 56th Congress at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place. Raising breast cancer awareness among nurses is a key goal of Medline's campaign, as it is the leading cause of death for women age 40-55 and the average age of a nurse is 46.

One of the funniest, frankest and most distinctive journalists ever to appear on television, keynote speaker Ellerbee touched and inspired the crowd with her candid talk about her treatment and recovery. A 17-year breast cancer survivor, she says she was lucky, because her training as a journalist had taught her to ask questions.

"If you are living with cancer, talk to your doctors and other health professionals about these issues," Ellerbee advises. "If you've got fears, tell them. If you have questions, ask them. Every morning that I wake up on the right side of the grass, I am a grateful woman, because I did not let my fears keep me from getting the treatment that I needed."

At the event, Medline President Andy Mills presented National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) President Janelle Hail with a check for $100,000 to help fund mammograms for underserved women. Over the past four years, Medline has donated more than $350,000 to the NBCF as part of its campaign to promote early detection and awareness of breast cancer. Early detection (mammography is among the best forms of screening for breast cancer) can increase the five-year survival rate by more than 95 percent.

"Linda Ellerbee was fantastic. So much of what she said was so true," said Ellen Whitehead, R.N., Georgia Surgical Center, Atlanta, Ga. and a breast cancer survivor for five years. "I just want to thank Medline for supporting breast cancer awareness and putting on a great event."

About Medline Industries, Inc.

Medline, the nation's largest privately held manufacturer and distributor of healthcare products, manufactures and distributes more than 100,000 products to hospitals, extended care facilities, surgery centers, home care dealers and agencies and other markets. Headquartered in Mundelein, IL, Medline has more than 800 dedicated sales representatives nationwide to support its broad product line and cost management services.

Over the past five years, Medline has been the fastest growing distributor of medical and surgical supplies in the U.S., serving as the primary distributor to over 250 major hospitals and health care systems. As a leading distributor, Medline offers a comprehensive array of consulting and management services encompassing the supply chain and logistics, utilization and standardization, business tools and enhanced reporting capabilities, and on-staff clinicians.