Southern California Bakery-Cafes to Raise Funds for Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation
LOS ANGELES, September 23, 2014 – In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, Panera Bread’s signature Pink Ribbon Bagel® will return to bakery-cafes for a limited time to raise funds for breast cancer research.
On October 10th, 100% of net sales of the bagel at participating Southern California bakery-cafes will be donated to Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation for their groundbreaking research into the cause and prevention of breast cancer. Throughout the rest of the month, 10 cents from the sale of each bagel will be donated to the Foundation.
Baked fresh each morning and only available during the month of October, the Pink Ribbon Bagel is shaped in the form of the iconic pink ribbon and features cherry chips, dried cherries, cranberries, vanilla, honey, and brown sugar.
“The Pink Ribbon Bagel has become a company and fan favorite,” said Stephanie Wren, Senior Regional Marketing Manager at Panera Bread. “It’s incredibly encouraging and inspiring to know that even a small act like purchasing a bagel that raises funds for breast cancer research can help us move closer to finding the cause and eradicating the disease.”
The Pink Ribbon Bagel will be available at 65 participating bakery-cafes throughout Los Angeles, North Orange, Ventura, Riverside, Santa Barbara and San Bernardino counties. For a list of participating locations, click here.
While many breast cancer organizations focus on early detection and the cure, Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation is dedicated to achieving a future without breast cancer by identifying the cause of breast cancer and how to prevent and eradicate the disease. This October, the Foundation will launch a questionnaire through their online Health of Women (HOW) Study™ to document and report on the “Cost of the Cure,” the widespread collateral damage resulting from breast cancer treatment. The Foundation’s Health of Women Study is the largest breast cancer research study conducted completely online to help gather critical information and better understand the risk factors for breast cancer. The study is open to men and women over the age of 18, whether or not they have a history of breast cancer.
“Panera’s Pink Ribbon Bagel program offers a tangible and easy way for everyone to take action this Breast Cancer Awareness Month,” said Dr. Susan Love. “The donations we receive this month will help us accelerate critical research so we can move one step closer to achieving a future without breast cancer.”
The Pink Ribbon Bagel originated in Oklahoma in 2001 in the kitchen of Sue Stees, a Panera Bread franchisee and breast cancer survivor herself. When Sue was diagnosed in 1984, breast cancer awareness was low and Sue struggled to find information and support on her diagnosis. The Pink Ribbon Bagel was born from her desire to increase awareness and help raise funds for others battling breast cancer. She sold 27,000 bagels in her bakery-cafes that year.
Over the course of 12 years, Panera has sold more than nine million bagels and donated over $2 million to breast cancer organizations across the country. This year is particularly meaningful because it marks Sue’s 30th anniversary as a breast cancer survivor.
About Panera Bread
As of September 24, 2013, there are 1,736 bakery-cafes in 45 states and in Ontario, Canada operating under the Panera Bread®, Saint Louis Bread Co.® or Paradise Bakery & Cafe® names. This includes 850 Company-owned bakery-cafes and 886 Franchise-operated bakery-cafes. We feature high quality, reasonably priced food in a warm, inviting and comfortable environment. With our identity rooted in handcrafted, fresh-baked, artisan bread, we are committed to providing great tasting, quality food that people can trust. Nearly all of our bakery-cafes have a menu highlighted by chicken raised without antibiotics, whole grain bread, and select organic and all-natural ingredients, with zero grams of artificial trans-fat per serving, which provide flavorful, wholesome offerings. Our menu includes a wide variety of year-round favorites complemented by new items introduced seasonally with the goal of creating new standards in everyday food choices. In neighborhoods across the United States and in Ontario, Canada, our customers enjoy our warm and welcoming environment featuring comfortable gathering areas, relaxing decor and free Internet access. Our bakery-cafes routinely donate bread and baked goods to community organizations in need. Additional information is available on our website, http://www.panerabread.com.
About the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation
Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation, an accredited 501(c)(3) public charity, was established in 2000 and is dedicated to achieving a future without breast cancer by engaging the public and the scientific communities in innovative research on cause and prevention. We do this through performing and facilitating innovative and collaborative research, translating science to engage the public as informed partners, and inspiring novel research. Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation has received a 4-star Charity Navigator rating for three consecutive years, putting it in the top 12% of rated charities in terms of fiscal performance, accountability and transparency. The Foundation is also a GuideStar Exchange Silver Level participant and a member of the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance. Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation, and its more than 376,000 volunteers nationwide, invite you become part of a movement to engage the public in breast cancer research with the goal of eradicating the disease once and for all. Visit us at www.drsusanloveresearch.org.
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