WATSONVILLE, Calif. (July 1, 2005) – On Friday, July 8, 2005, West Marine and Boat U.S Marine Center locations in Deltaville, Glen Allen, Gloucester Point and Hampton, Virginia will donate five percent of sales to the Leukemia Cup Regatta in Deltaville, Virginia.

West Marine and Boat U.S. Marine Center locations are making this donation to support the seventh annual Southern Chesapeake Leukemia Cup Regatta taking place in Deltaville on July 9. To show support for this local group and to find a nearby location, refer to the list below or visit westmarine.com for store hours and directions.

West Marine has long championed good corporate citizenship. The company's mission includes contributing to the social needs of the communities in which it does business - all while enjoying the fun of boating. In the years ahead, West Marine looks forward to partnering with other local boating, fishing and conservation groups.

“We are excited to support the upcoming Southern Chesapeake Leukemia Cup Regatta taking place in Deltaville, VA,” said Rob Wilcox, Virginia district manager, West Marine. “Consumers can help raise money for this important cause by shopping in these five West Marine and Boat U.S. Marine Centers on Friday, July 8, 2005.” "We're thrilled that these Virginia based West Marine and Boat U.S. Marine Center locations have decided to support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society through this upcoming donation. Funds raised on July 8, 2005 will enable us to fund blood cancer research and provide education and patient services,” said Dwayne Howell, president and chief executive officer, The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, headquartered in White Plains, NY, with 63 chapters in the United States and additional branches in Canada, is the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services. The Society's mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.

Since its founding in 1949, the Society has invested more than $360 million in research specifically targeting leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Last year alone, the Society made more than 812,000 contacts with patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals.

For more information about blood cancer, visit www.LLS.org or call the Society's Information Resource Center (IRC), a call center staffed by master's level social workers, nurses and health educators who provide information, support and resources to patients and their families and caregivers. IRC information specialists are available at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET. About West Marine
West Marine, Inc. is the nation's largest specialty retailer of boating supplies, with 389 stores in 38 states, Canada and Puerto Rico, and more than $680 million in annual sales. The Company's successful catalog and Internet channels offer customers approximately 50,000 products - far more than any competitor - and the convenience of being able to exchange catalog and Internet purchases at its retail stores. The Company's Port Supply division is the country's largest wholesale distributor of marine equipment serving boat manufacturers, marine services, commercial vessel operators and government agencies. For more information on West Marine's products and store locations, or to start shopping, visit westmarine.com or call 1-800-BOATING (1-800-262-8464).