Tampa, FL, February 4, 2005/PR Newswire/ - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers scored 37 touchdowns during the regular 2004 football season totaling $18,500 in donations from Amscot Financial to the Children's Cancer Center, touching the lives of children and families coping with cancer. In September 2004, Amscot Financial pledged to donate $500 to the Children's Cancer Center each time the Tampa Bay Buccaneers scored a touchdown during the 2004 regular season.

From left to right, Mary Ann Massolio, Executive Director of the Children's Cancer Center and Erika Harris, Director of Community Relations for Amscot Financial

“We're very pleased to partner with The Cancer Center and the Tampa Bay Bucs,” said Ian A. MacKechnie, Executive Vice President of Amscot Financial. “Each day, these children are fighting to beat the odds, and our hope is that this donation will help them succeed,” added MacKechnie.

“The Children's Cancer Center does not receive federal or state funding to assist in our programs and services,” said Mary Ann Massolio, Executive Director of the Children's Cancer Center . “We rely on local support and are very privileged to have benefited from the Amscot Financial and Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown program. We thank Amscot for their generosity and for working with us to make a difference in the lives of so many,” added Massolio.

The Children's Cancer Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing children who have cancer or chronic blood disorders and their families with the emotional, financial and educational support necessary to cope with their life-threatening illnesses. The Center helps the youngsters adapt to chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, transfusions and other forms of treatment. They help the children cope with changes in their bodies, their family structures and their normal daily activities.

Headquartered in Tampa , FL , Amscot Financial is a leading provider of income tax preparation and electronic filing services, refund anticipation loans, check cashing services, cash advance services, money transfer services and money orders through its wholly owned division, Amscot International Money Order Company. Amscot Financial currently operates 81 tax preparation offices and 81 retail financial service centers throughout Florida and employs more than 1,500 people. For additional information, please visit the company's website at www.amscotfinancial.com.