I’d venture to guess that is hard to find someone who doesn’t know that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. From pink bagels, to pink hotels to seeing the color on the field when you watch an NFL game during October, it seems that everywhere we turn this month, there is PINK! And with good reason. Consider these facts from The American Cancer Society:

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women, except for skin cancers. About 1 in 8 (12 percent) of women in the United States alone will develop invasive breast cancer during their lifetime. This year, approximately 231,840 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women, and about 60,290 new cases of non-invasive, early form breast cancer will be diagnosed. It is also estimated that more than 40,000 women will die in 2015 from breast cancer.

While recent years have brought criticism that too many companies are jumping on the bandwagon of supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month, if you’ve ever lost a loved one to breast cancer or even had a “scare,” I hope you will agree with me that the more help in raising funds and awareness, the better. I like to see when brands get creative and do something more than wear a pink shirt or display the pink ribbon.

Take PDQ for example. If you’ve previously read our blog, you might know that Clairemont Communications was PDQ’s public relations partner in North Carolina for an awareness campaign last year. Building on the restaurant’s partnership with National Breast Cancer Foundation in 2014, PDQ partnered this year with an artist from one of its local markets to design PDQ’s Shake Out Cancer t-shirts. The personal touch? The artist’s wife is a breast cancer survivor. Read more about PDQ’s support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the artist in this news release issued by the company:

PDQ TO PARTNER WITH NATIONAL BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION FOR MONTH OF OCTOBER

Proceeds from Sale of T-Shirts and Milkshakes to Benefit NBCF

TAMPA, FL (October 2015) – PDQ (People Dedicated to Quality) restaurants and National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.^® (NBCF) are joining forces again in 2015 to help raise money this October as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. For the second consecutive year, PDQ will sell pink t-shirts in all of its restaurants and this year’s original design was created by South Florida artist Sergio (SURGE) Quinonez, whose wife, Adriana, is a breast cancer survivor.

Guests to PDQ can help raise needed funds in a few ways. Anyone can purchase a $6 PDQ “Shake Out Cancer” pink t-shirt and receive a free 14 oz. milkshake at the time of their t-shirt purchase. In addition, throughout the month of October, if the guest wears their pink PDQ t-shirt back into any PDQ restaurant, they will receive a free milkshake with the purchase of any combo meal.

A donation will be made to NBCF for every t-shirt and every milkshake purchased in October. In 2014, PDQ raised $23,000 for NBCF as part of its October initiative.

“We’re honored to partner with PDQ again this October,” said NBCF Co-Founder and CEO Janelle Hail. “The funds they raise will be used to help women both locally and nationally.”

“Collaborative efforts can help so many strong, amazing women fight this horrible disease,” said Quinonez. “I am proud to partner with PDQ and NBCF for this important initiative.”

“October is a very important month to help raise awareness and money for this disease that has affected so many women, including Adriana Quinonez,” said PDQ President Steve Erickson. “We are so appreciative of the work that NBCF does on a daily basis to assist in this fight.”

To find the nearest PDQ restaurant, visit www.eatPDQ.com/locations.

About National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.^®

Recognized as one of the leading breast cancer organizations in the world, NBCF’s mission is to help women now by providing help and inspiring hope to those affected by breast cancer through early detection, education and support services.  A recipient of Charity Navigator’s highest 4-star rating for 11 years, NBCF provides women Help for Today…Hope for Tomorrow® through its National Mammography Program, Beyond The Shock®, Early Detection Plan, and breast cancer research programs. For more information, please visit www.nbcf.org.

About the Shirt Designer – SURGE

South Florida resident Sergio (SURGE) Quinonez designed this year’s PDQ “Shake Out Cancer” t-shirt. Born in Los Angeles and raised in Miami, Urban Pop artist, Surge, has taken his bold, unmistakable style straight from his sketchbooks to the sun-stained streets of South Florida and beyond. Surge’s love for cartoons and brilliant colors, along with a passion for hip hop culture, has shaped his artistic identity. For more information, visit www.illsurge.com.

About PDQ

PDQ is a fast casual restaurant known for their hand-breaded chicken tenders, hand-tossed salads, made-to-order sandwiches, fresh-cut fries and hand-spun milkshakes with dine-in, drive thru or catering options. Outback Steakhouse co-founder Bob Basham and MVP Holdings CEO Nick Reader are the two principal owners of PDQ. The partners spent more than two years developing the concept behind the brand and quality of the food and establishments. On October 30, 2011, the original PDQ restaurant opened its doors in Tampa, Florida and the concept now has 46 locations throughout Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Nevada, North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas. PDQ prides itself on delicious sandwiches and salads made with the finest ingredients and their 12 signature sauces and dressings are homemade every day on-site. PDQ stands out from other quick service restaurants by featuring an open kitchen, allowing guests to see the food preparation from start to finish. Restaurant Business Magazine recently named PDQ as the number one fastest growing small chain in America and Nation’s Restaurant News chose PDQ as a 2014 Hot Concepts recipient. All menu items are under $10 and combo meals start as low as $7.69. PDQ is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week with dine-in seating and a drive-thru. Catering is also available for events and carryout. For more information, visit www.eatPDQ.com.

 

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