Panera Bread® Pink Ribbon Bagel™ Effort to Benefit The Cancer Institute of New Jersey

For more than a decade, “thinking pink” has been a tradition for Panera Bread® bakery-cafés in their effort to highlight breast cancer awareness in their local communities during the month of October.  That campaign, which marks National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, continues this year, with the offering of the Pink Ribbon Bagel. Proceeds from the local sale of this unique treat will benefit the Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ) Foundation for the sixth year in a row.  CINJ is a Center of Excellence of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

CINJ is one of the many breast cancer-related entities nationwide that will receive contributions from the sale of Panera’s Pink Ribbon Bagel – which features cherry chips and real bits of Bing cherries and cranberries and is shaped in the form of a traditional breast cancer awareness ribbon.  For every Pink Ribbon Bagel sold in the 41 Panera Bread locations in northern and central New Jersey (www.panerabread.com), ten cents will support breast cancer research and patient education programs at CINJ. Over the past six years, more than $40,000 has been raised for CINJ through the effort.

New this year, Panera Bread is making it even easier to help fight breast cancer locally, as on Wednesday, October 10, 100 percent of proceeds from the sale of the Pink Ribbon Bagel in the 41 north and central New Jersey cafés will benefit CINJ.  

“As New Jersey’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, it is part of our overall mission to identify new breast cancer treatments, as well as to develop educational opportunities relating to breast cancer prevention.  Panera’s dedication to this cause helps CINJ achieve these goals, and we are grateful for their continued support,” noted CINJ Chief Medical Officer Deborah Toppmeyer, MD, director of both CINJ’s Stacy Goldstein Breast Cancer Center and the LIFE Center, and associate professor of medicine at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

“The Pink Ribbon bagel is the one bagel that our customers ask about all year long. They enjoy the taste of the cherry vanilla bagel, but most important -- they enjoy knowing that a portion of the money they spend is going to support such a vital cause,” said Panera Director of Operations, Robert MacEachern. “Panera Bread is proud to work with the communities we serve to help raise money for this worthy cause.  In our market, we are pleased to support the cutting-edge research and programs of The Cancer Institute of New Jersey.”

The Panera Pink Ribbon Bagel was developed in 2001 as a way to support breast cancer awareness. 

About The Cancer Institute of New Jersey

The Cancer Institute of New Jersey (www.cinj.org) is the state’s first and only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center dedicated to improving the detection, treatment and care of patients with cancer, and serving as an education resource for cancer prevention. CINJ’s physician-scientists engage in translational research, transforming their laboratory discoveries into clinical practice, quite literally bringing research to life.  To make a tax-deductible gift to support CINJ, call 732-235-8614 or visit www.cinjfoundation.org. CINJ is a Center of Excellence of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.  Follow us on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/TheCINJ.

The CINJ Network is comprised of hospitals throughout the state and provides the highest quality cancer care and rapid dissemination of important discoveries into the community. Flagship Hospital: Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. System Partner: Meridian Health (Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Ocean Medical Center, Riverview Medical Center, Southern Ocean Medical Center, and Bayshore Community Hospital). Major Clinical Research Affiliate Hospitals: Carol G. Simon Cancer Center at Morristown Medical Center, Carol G. Simon Cancer Center at Overlook Medical Center, and Cooper University Hospital. Affiliate Hospitals: CentraState Healthcare System, JFK Medical Center, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton (CINJ Hamilton), Somerset Medical Center, The University Hospital/UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School*, and University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro. *Academic Affiliate

 About Panera Bread

Panera Bread Company owns and franchises 1,591 bakery-cafes as of June 26, 2012, under the Panera Bread®, Saint Louis Bread Co.®, and Paradise Bakery & Café® names. 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 antibiotic-free chicken, 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