AP) Denise Martin, who gained fame as the lunch lady on CBS' reality show "Survivor: China," is donating the $50,000 she received from producer Mark Burnett to the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDs Foundation.

Martin told viewers on Sunday night's live finale that she'd been demoted to janitor at a school in Douglas, Mass., after finishing fourth on the show. After hearing her story, Burnett surprised Martin with the money to help get her life back.

On Tuesday, Martin acknowledged on CBS' "The Early Show" that she'd been promoted to custodian, at her own request, before the competition began.

"It was not my intention to be misleading," Martin, 40, said on the broadcast. "I'm sorry, and I apologize to everybody."

In a statement issued Tuesday by the network, Martin said she took "full responsibility" for her actions.

"I do not feel comfortable about accepting the $50,000. I would instead ask that it be donated to the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation," the statement said. "Please accept my apology. I would also like to thank all the people who have supported me through this experience."

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Did Denise make the right choice to vote out Eric, or do you think she whould have voted out Todd?

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Wow.....I was back and forth on Dennise pretty much the whole show. At first I wanted her gone, cause she just pretty much gave up on the challenge of eating. She just stood there, and said "I can't do it" If I woulda been there, my vote woulda been on her, cause I dont care wat you are doing, YOU DONT GIVE UP!!!!!! Then my opinion changed toward her, cause I heard about her background. She played the card about what she does and where she comes from,,,and yes I did feel bad for her. Allmost to the very end, I wanted Denise to take it, cause of her story. Then at the Live Renion Show, she plays her sob story again, and they like,,,,JUST GIVE HER 50,000 dollars!!!! I mean come on,,,,,what is that about???? All the other contestants probably faced hardship after the show,,,and even if they didn't, Denise knew going into in wat was up.....and then she is just handed 50,000??? What is up with that???? And to, if she really is the hard working type that she tried to come off as, and the proud working class citizen....she would have turned down the charity that they offered.....cause that handout was exactly that CHARITY!!! So she comes in fourth place and STILL gets 50,000....Kudos to you Denise,,,,,I think that you played the game to YOUR advantage!!!

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Lunch ladies everywhere:
"Denise YOU ROCK!!!!"
Good luck and here's hoping you're the next Survivor (it takes alot to survive a lunchroom!)

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Although she hasn't said much, Denise is quite a strong lady. During the boat fighting challenge, she was the last lady from the one team still standing! I also think that part of the reason why we haven't heard much from Denise after 3 episodes, is because CBS doesn't want the audience to think that she is capible of anythng, but she will become a central player in a few episodes. Does anyone agree?

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Denise got me 5 points on my office Survivor Pool for being the first to cry. I picked her and sure enough, she cried on the train before Survivor even began. Thanks Lunch Lady. :)

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Denise there's a group of ladies that live in souther california we all use to work together and now we have a book club together and we are doing this were we all took one character and we have initatied a kitty who the wwinner are at the end will win the kitty i have never watch this show so this will be new for me. So I was wondering what made you want to do this and what makes you think that you will win. What did you have to do qualify for this. Well of course I will be hopeing and praying that you and your tribe will win. So Denise good luck

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