The effort to fight cancer through pediatric cancer research just received another boost through a Burger King campaign.
The “Beat Cancer for Kids” campaign raised $100,000 for pediatric cancer research at the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center. During the July promotion, 68 Burger King restaurants in Omaha, Lincoln and eastern Nebraska areas sold 100,000 scratch-off cards, each worth a $1 donation. Each card was a winner with food or other prizes worth $1 or more.
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Natalie Simmonds (second from left), and Paula Glissman (far right), of Simmonds Restaurant Management Inc., present a $100,000 check to Ken Cowan, M.D., Ph.D. (far left), director of the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center. Also in the photo is Burger King “Beat Cancer for Kids” campaign grand prize winners Roy Tate, Jr. of Papillion, his son, Jalen, 2, and 12-year-old daughter, Jade. The Tates won a trip for four to Six-Flags Magic Mountain amusement park and Hurricane Harbor water park in Los Angeles. |
Natalie Simmonds, manager of Marketing and Special Projects, Simmonds Restaurant Management, Inc., said the program was so popular last year that it was expanded. Last year, the campaign met its goal of $40,000 in card sales.
“We appreciate what Burger King has done in our efforts to fight cancer. Cancer research is really important for everyone,” said Ken Cowan, M.D., Ph.D., director of the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center. “We’re making phenomenal progress and survival of cancer is largely due to research. Currently there are 10 million cancer survivors alive today – three times more than 30 years ago.”
The promotion is an extension of Liz’s Legacy, a fund to advance cancer research and care through 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.
On July 28, Roy Tate, Jr. of Papillion, received the grand prize trip for four to Six-Flags Magic Mountain amusement park and Hurricane Harbor water park in Los Angeles. The trip includes travel on Southwest Airlines and hotel accommodations at the Hilton Garden Inn. He won following a card purchase made at the Burger King at 84th & Harrison Streets in La Vista.
Tate said since his 2-year-old son Jalen’s favorite word is burger and fries, they headed to Burger King one day. Tate, an Air Force member stationed at Offutt Air Force Base, said he has always spent an extra dollar to benefit others.
“I always give. I’m blessed and I pass those blessings on,” Tate said. “I think you should pass forward what you have. Cancer’s a big problem and I try to help out any way I can.”
He said he was surprised at his win and said when his wife, Regina, also serving in the Air Force, returns from an overseas deployment, they’ll plan the trip, which also will include daughter, Jade, 12. “It’s a great way to go as a family and have some fun,” he said.
Six children who have recovered from cancer or those still fighting cancer were featured in television ads on KPTM Fox 42 and broadcast on KEFM 96.1 radio.
“We were very excited about the response from customers. The campaign is twice as big this year,” said Simmonds. “The cards sold very quickly and we are very encouraged at how well it went. We are looking forward to making it even bigger next year.”
Simmonds’ father, Mike Simmonds, is owner of 73 Burger Kings in the Omaha, Des Moines and Council Bluffs areas. One of the reasons he decided to participate in the campaign is because has been touched personally by cancer. He was treated successfully for kidney cancer about 2 1/2 years ago, his son currently has cancer, as well as some of his friends.
In addition to Burger King, other sponsors include KPTM Fox 42, KEFM 96.1, Southwest Airlines, Bozell & Jacobs, Hilton Garden Inn, Six Flags, MaggieMoo’s, UNO Hockey, Creighton Soccer, Best Buy, Lozier IMAX Theatre, Scooters Coffeehouse and Art-Fac Graphics.
“This was an incredible campaign, thanks to Burger King,” said Tom Thompson, director of development, UNMC Eppley Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Foundation. “They set a very high goal in selling 100,000 cards, and in reaching it, have proven that they are committed to helping in this fight. As you will see in a new message in their restaurants, ‘Winning isn’t everything…unless the fight’s against cancer.’ On behalf of all children with cancer, we’re glad Burger King is on our side.”
Participating Burger Kings included some in Omaha, Lincoln, Council Bluffs, Elkhorn, Bellevue, La Vista, Fremont, Blair, Columbus, Wahoo, Crete, Plattsmouth, Falls City, Nebraska City, Beatrice, Hastings and York. In Iowa, the Burger Kings included Missouri Valley, Atlantic, Harlan, Red Oak, Shenandoah and Denison.