Saskatoon, SK, Canada, 2015-10-1 — /EPR Retail News/ — Julie Vickaryous and Heather Whyte’s friendship began at a very unlikely place – at the Saskatoon Cancer Centre.
It’s been more than a year since Julie, 21, and Heather, 40, were diagnosed with breast cancer. Despite their initial shock at the diagnosis, they’re now speaking about their experience in a video as part of Co-op’s Drink Pink campaign in October.
“It’s like having your life put on hold for a year and everything has changed,” Heather said. “How your treatment goes and what they end up offering you for treatment changes a lot depending on how early you catch it.”
Drink Pink is a partnership between the Co-operative Retailing System (CRS) – comprised of FCL and over 200 independent retail co-ops across Western Canada – and Van Houtte Coffee Services Inc. that has raised $505,000 since 2010. The partnership donates 10 cents to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF) for every cup of coffee sold in October at participating Co-op Gas Bars and Food Store delis. Co-op will also donate a portion of proceeds from special merchandise offers, such as travel mugs, available throughout the promotion.
“We continue to aid in the pursuit of creating a future without breast cancer,” said Vic Huard, Executive Vice-President of Strategy at Federated Co-operatives Limited. “Working with retail co-ops, we’re taking action by engaging Co-op members and customers and supporting the scientific research that will benefit people like Julie and Heather as well as many other families here in Western Canada.”
“Van Houtte Coffee Services is proud to again partner with Co-op on this great event,” said Lori Empey, Regional Account Manager at Van Houtte Coffee Services. “The success of this event over the last five years has been wonderful. Together, we are committed to finding a cure and ending breast cancer.”
In addition to Drink Pink, the CRS supports breast cancer research with a three-year $1.5 million donation made in 2014 and regional sponsorship of CIBC’s Run for the Cure. On Oct. 4, the CRS will donate bananas, oranges and granola bars for more than 30,000 Run for the Cure participants at 10 race locations.
“Since 2010, Federated Co-operative Limited and Van Houtte Coffee Services have made it possible for Canadians to make a positive impact on the breast cancer cause with a simple cup of coffee,” said Liz Viccars, Executive Director for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation – Prairies/NWT Region.
“The $505,000 raised through the Drink Pink program over the past five years has enabled the Foundation to continue to invest in the best and brightest minds in breast cancer research across the Prairie provinces. The research projects we invest in are driving scientific advances and bring us closer to our vision of creating a future without breast cancer. We are very appreciative of the support of Federated Co-operatives Limited, Van Houtte Coffee Services and their generous customers who give so much every October. We are all in this together!”
Watch Julie and Heather share their stories at www.drinkpink.coop.
SOURCE: Federated Co-operatives Limited
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