Panera Bread Raises $30K for Local Breast Cancer Groups

The annual Pink Ribbon Bagel campaign run by Panera Bread in our area raised more than $30,000 this year to benefit three local breast cancer organizations--the Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program, Prevention is the Cure and the Breast Cancer Research Program at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory—as well as Gilda’s Club in New York City.

During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Panera Bread bakers hand twisted thousands of cherry vanilla bagels into the iconic “pink ribbon” shape to raise funds for prevention and a cure, but, 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.”

The goal of the Adelphi Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program is to educate, support, empower and advocate for breast cancer patients, professionals and the community; Prevention is the Cure 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 performs innovative breast cancer research.

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; to contact the Adelphi Breast Cancer Hotline with questions or concerns about breast cancer and for support services and other referral call 800-877-8077.

The Long Island locations for Panera Bread are Bay Shore, Bohemia, Bridgehampton, Carle Place, East Meadow, East Northport, Farmingdale, Hauppauge, Hampton Bays, Hicksville, Huntington, Lake Grove, Lawrence, Massapequa, Mineola, New Hyde Park, North Babylon, Port Jefferson, Riverhead, Rockville Centre, Syosset (new) and West Babylon.

Story by Lyn Dobrin