JACKSONVILLE, N.C. - Janina Bitz, 25, of Jacksonsville, N.C., has been selected as the first grant recipient of the Fallen Patriot Fund, established on April 16 by the Mark Cuban Foundation, to help families of U.S. military personnel who were killed or seriously injured during  Operation Iraqi Freedom. Bitz will receive $12,000 (the equivalent of $1,000 per month for a year) from the Foundation to assist with living expenses and the cost of raising her three children after her husband, Marine Sgt. Michael E. Bitz, was killed in Iraq in March.

"We are proud to be providing assistance to the Bitz family," said Mark Cuban. "Sgt. Bitz made the ultimate sacrifice for his country, and to provide financial support to Mrs. Bitz, their son, and their babies who never will get the chance to meet their father is the least we can do."

Sgt. Bitz was assigned to the 2nd Assault Amphibious Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, N.C. Two weeks after her husband's deployment, Bitz gave birth to fraternal twins, Taylor Hope and Caleb, now two months old. The couple also has one other son, Joshua, 2. 

"This grant is a true blessing in many ways, not just financially," said Mrs. Bitz. "Other families like mine who have either lost their loved one or their loved one has been injured during Operation Iraqi Freedom can get that little extra help getting through this trying, but not completely hopeless, time and into the future. I am truly overwhelmed with gratitude and thankfulness to the Mark Cuban Foundation, the American public and to my late husband Sgt. Michael Bitz, an American hero, a child's superhero, and my angel."

The Mark Cuban Foundation will match donations to the Fallen Patriot Fund dollar for dollar up to $1 million. Over the past two weeks, donations have been received from 46 states and Canada. In addition, the Bank of America Foundation will match associate donations dollar for dollar from gifts of $25 up to $5,000.

Donations to the Fallen Patriot Fund can be made at any Bank of America banking centers; through the Web site at www.fallenpatriotfund.org, or mailed to the Fallen Patriot Fund, c/o Bank of America Private Bank, TX1-492-19-09, P.O. Box 832409, Dallas, Texas, 75283-2409. Additional information and grant application may be obtained through the Web site.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Gillian Breidenbach (Bank of America) 214.209.3122
Gillian.M.Breidenbach@bankofamerica.com

Dawn Holgate (Mark Cuban), 214.658.7170 (office)
214.878.2867 (mobile)
dawn.holgate@dallasmavs.com