Panera Raises $30,000 for LI Breast Cancer Groups

The annual Pink Ribbon Bagel campaign run by Panera Bread raised more than $30,000 this year to benefit several local breast cancer organizations. During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Panera Bread bakers hand twisted thousands of cherry vanilla bagels into the iconic “pink ribbon” shape and sold them in stores—including Panera in Bridgehampton and Hampton Bays—to raise funds for prevention and a cure. As the New Year approaches, they also hope the bagels have served as a reminder to women to take control of their own health by scheduling their yearly mammograms.

“Women need to make this an annual New Year’s resolution that they actually keep,” says Greg George, Vice President of Operations for Doherty Enterprises, franchisee of the Long Island bakery-cafes.

“Get screened regularly,” urges Linda Healy, herself a breast cancer survivor and Promotion Coordinator for WALK 97.5, Panera Bread’s media partner throughout the campaign. “Detecting cancer in its earliest stages improves survival. Speak up for yourself. If something doesn’t look right or feel right don’t take no for an answer. Insist on further action. Be your own advocate.”

Karen Joy Miller, of Huntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition, Inc., agrees, “Keep abreast of current health information, ask questions, and take charge of your breast health screening.”

This year’s funds benefit the Adelphi Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program whose goal is to educate, support, empower and advocate for breast cancer patients, professionals and the community; Prevention is the Cure, which seeks to increase public awareness of environmental links to breast cancer and promotes a precautionary health model; and the Breast Cancer Research Program at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory where innovative breast cancer research is being performed.

Recently, Panera Bread presented each of the Long Island organizations with a check for nearly $8,500 to help advance their work.  A check for $5,200 was also given to Gilda’s Club New York City, which creates welcoming communities of free support for everyone living with cancer—men, women, teens and children—along with their families and friends.

For information on breast health, contact Prevention is the Cure at 631-547-1518 or www.preventionisthecure.org, or contact the Adelphi Breast Cancer Hotline at 800-877-8077 with questions or concerns about breast cancer and for support services and other referrals.

Make a life-saving New Year’s resolution…