Burger King Restaurants® in the Omaha and Council Bluffs metro area
have teamed with the University of Nebraska Foundation to support childhood
cancer research at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
The BK Beat Cancer for Kids promotion is running during the month
of July at 39 Burger King restaurants in Omaha and Council Bluffs. The
program is an extension of Lizs Legacy, a fund to advance cancer research
and care at the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center. Lizs Legacy is named after
the late Liz Karnes, an Omaha civic leader who died in 2003 after a 12-year
battle with cancer.
The BK Beat Cancer for Kids promotion is a great outlet to get our
customers and the community involved in helping this important cause,
said Natalie Simmonds, marketing manager for Simmonds Restaurant Management,
which operates the 39 participating Burger King restaurants. We are very
excited about this fund-raiser. Everybody wins, and it is truly a way to
help beat this $1 at a time.
As part of the promotion, Burger King customers will be asked if they
would like to donate a dollar to Beat Cancer for Kids. Upon donating
$1, the patrons will receive a scratch card. All of the cards will be redeemable
for an item worth at least $1. Those items include Burger King menu items
and prizes from other sponsors of the Beat Cancer for Kids program, including
a grand prize of a resort vacation trip to Jamaica for a family of four,
including air travel and hotel accommodations. The trip is sponsored by
Carlson Wagonlit Travel in Omaha.
Connie Miller, sales and marketing director for Carlson Wagonlit Travel,
said the business is delighted to be involved and affiliated with Lizs
Legacy and the Beat Cancer for Kids Campaign.
Liz Karnes was a delightful inspiration to women everywhere. From her
role as the first female to serve on the Omaha Airport Authority, her involvement
in education and her advocacy against cancer, she encouraged others with
hope and inspiration, Miller said. By helping here, we are able to continue
her cause the fight against cancer in her absence.
Several other prizes will be available, including $150 Disney Store
Gift Cards, $50 Toys R Us Gift Certificates, Adventureland Park passes,
Douglas Theatre passes, and UNO Maverick hockey tickets
In just its second day, the promotion already is a success, Simmonds
said. She said some stores already have sold more than 200 scratch cards.
Its such an important case, and people seem very willing to donate,
she said.
Tom Thompson, University of Nebraska Foundations director of development
for the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center, said he appreciates the participation
of every sponsor.
Not only is Burger King making a generous financial contribution to
this promotion, Thompson said, they are also providing tremendous visibility
for the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center and the important research work being
done here.
Beat Cancer for Kids has put a personal touch on the program by including
six childhood cancer patients and survivors treated at the Medical Center.
Jill Stephenson, treated for osteogenic sarcoma more than 13 years ago,
was happy to participate in the program.
Its really important for people to realize that the advanced research
at Eppley helps everyone in Nebraska and beyond who are faced with cancer,
Stephenson said. Back then, the surgery I had was an aggressive
and innovative procedure. It was an option only because the doctors and
researchers are at the forefront of cancer treatment and research.
In addition to Burger King and Carlson Wagonlit Travel, other sponsors
include Bozell & Jacobs, Northwest Airlines World Vacations, KEFM 96.1,
Disney Hand Worldwide Outreach, Douglas Theatres, Adventureland, UNO Hockey,
and Artfac Graphics.