Christina Applegate Promotes Breast Cancer Awareness For Lee National Denim Day (VIDEO)

Move over, Casual Fridays. Here's a truly compelling reason to wear your favorite pair of jeans to work -- Lee National Denim Day is coming on October 2. Since its creation in 1996 by a group of Lee Jeans employees, Lee National Denim Day has become one of the largest national single-day fundraisers for breast cancer research. Companies nationwide are encouraged to invite their employees to go casual for a cause, in exchange for donating $5 to to Lee's campaign.

Co-workers at companies have teamed up to donate, incorporating creative event ideas, such as a pink-themed pancake breakfast, costume contest, or a pink mani/pedicure party to incentivize each other. Denim-themed ideas have been submitted from participants around the country, which you can find here.

From Denim Day's official site: "The Women's Cancer Programs of EIF receive 100% of the net proceeds raised for Lee National Denim Day. Funds are used to support groundbreaking early detection and treatment research and community educational services nationwide in the fight against breast cancer." An estimated 800,000 individuals in the United States wore denim in 2008 to show their support, and over $70 million has been raised to date by the annual fundraiser.

Actress Christina Applegate, who had her own brush with breast cancer in 2008, is the official ambassador of this year's Lee National Denim Day. Past ambassadors include Lucy Liu, Pierce Brosnan and Mariska Hargitay.

Take a look at Applegate's touching video, and get involved: