Promotion benefits childhood cancer research

From left to right are: Natalie Simmonds, marketing manager for Simmonds Restaurant Management; and the Knowlton family: Christopher Parks, Debbie Knowlton, Sarah Parks, Matthew Parks, and Jessica Parks; Connie Miller, Carlson Wagonlit Travel; and Ken Cowan, M.D., Ph.D., director of the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center.

Debbie Knowlton of Omaha and her family are the winners of a grand prize trip to Jamaica, including air travel, hotel accommodations and meals. The trip, donated by Carlson Wagonlit Travel, was part of the “BK Beat Cancer for Kids” promotion sponsored by Simmonds Restaurant Management, which operates the 39 participating Burger King restaurants in the Omaha and Council Bluffs area.

“BK Beat Cancer for Kids” is an extension of Liz’s Legacy, a fund to advance cancer research and care at the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center. Liz’s Legacy is named after the late Liz Karnes, an Omaha civic leader who died in 2003 after a 12-year battle with cancer.

Knowlton’s 17-year-old-son had made a $1 donation which was redeemable for food and other prizes. When he showed the ticket to the cashier, she screamed in surprise that he had the winning ticket.

He drove to where his mother works a second job and handed it to her saying it was a gift for her and she deserved it. Knowlton said she thought he was playing a joke.
“I had to look at it a few times. I was in shock,” said Knowlton, who works two jobs and has never been outside the United States. “I had it in my pocket all night hoping I wouldn’t lose it. I checked if it was there every hour. ”

Christopher Parks bought the winning ticket at the Oakview Mall Burger King and gave it to his mom, Debbie Knowlton.

A few days before winning, Knowlton told a friend she wished she could go to the Caribbean and feel the sand under her feet and the sun in her face. Knowlton said she’s pleased the promotion benefits cancer research.

“This has been a great partnership between Liz’s Legacy, Burger King and the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center, ” said Ken Cowan, M.D., Ph.D., director of the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center. “It has helped to increase awareness about cancer and our cancer center in our community and the money raised will provide much needed support for innovative research to find more effective therapies for prevention and treatment of cancer in children and adults. ”

As part of the promotion, Burger King customers were offered $1 chance scratch cards, which were redeemable for menu items or prizes from other sponsors. The company sold all 40,000 of the scratch cards produced. Other prizes given away include $150 Disney Store Gift Cards, $50 Toys “R” Us Gift Certificates, Adventureland Park passes, Douglas Theatre passes, and UNO Maverick hockey tickets.

Natalie Simmonds, marketing manager for Simmonds Restaurant Management, said the promotion was well received by those who work for Burger King and its customers. “We’ve had a really positive response from within the company and our customers. A lot of people really got behind this promotion. Store managers made it fun by competing against each other and our customers liked it because they liked the idea that they are helping. I heard many of them say their family has been touched by cancer, ” Simmonds said.

In addition to Burger King and Carlson Wagonlit Travel, other sponsors included Bozell & Jacobs, Northwest Airlines World Vacations, KEFM 96.1, Disney Hand Worldwide Outreach, Douglas Theatres, Adventureland, UNO Hockey, and Artfac Graphics.