(October 28, 2019) Newk’s Cares, the ovarian cancer awareness movement and national campaign founded by fast-casual restaurant Newk’s Eatery, has reached monumental heights! Celebrating its sixth year, Newk’s Cares raised more than $400,000 in September—their largest total to date to support OCRA—and has now surpassed $1.4M raised for ovarian cancer research!
Newk’s Cares honors the legacy and continues the quest of its co-founder Lori Newcomb to do more for women with ovarian cancer by funding research to improve earlier identification and treatment of the disease.
“I want to express my gratitude to our Newk’s communities, which have allowed us to achieve this incredible fundraising milestone,” said Chris Newcomb, Newk’s Eatery CEO and Newk’s Cares co-founder. “Raising one million dollars was a dream for my wife, Lori, and we are so proud to carry on her legacy with a breakthrough year of giving for ovarian cancer research.”
Newk’s efforts have included offering guests the opportunity to make a donation to OCRA in support of ovarian cancer research at any of their more than 120 locations during September, national Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. September also marked Newk’s annual Ovarian Cycle® Jackson spin event in its home market of Jackson, Mississippi, which attracted a sold-out crowd. Earlier in the year, Newk’s Cares and St. Dominic Hospital hosted a Lunch & Learn featuring expert panelists who shared statistics, symptoms and critical research developments. Their year-round campaign efforts include teal straws in all restaurants, donating ten cents from every Newk’s Cares water bottle sold to OCRA and featuring Lori Newcomb’s story in each restaurant to promote ovarian cancer awareness. Newk’s also recently announced a new interior design prototype which will highlight the color teal in every restaurant via a new mosaic tile wall.
“Our fight is far from over, but we are as committed as ever to continue living Lori’s mission for this cause,” said Chris Newcomb. “We will continue to prioritize educating and encouraging women to take action when listening to their bodies to improve the success rate of early diagnosis, and look forward to exceeding more goals in the years to come.”
“We are so grateful to Newk’s Cares, the entire Newk’s team, and of course Chris Newcomb and his wonderful family, for all they have done and will do to cure ovarian cancer,” says Audra Moran, President & CEO of OCRA. “We miss Lori so much, and know that she would be so proud of what they’ve accomplished. We look forward to continuing the fight alongside Newk’s to honor Lori’s memory, and to fulfill her wish that someday soon, no woman will ever have to experience ovarian cancer.”
For more information about Newk’s Cares, visit NewksCares.com and follow the cause on Facebook.com/NewksCares.
