Campaign at Newk’s 70 fast-casual restaurants runs through Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
JACKSON, Miss. (August 20, 2014) — The fast-casual Newk’s Eatery restaurant brand is joining forces with one of its own to launch a Newk’s Cares campaign with Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF). The campaign will raise awareness about early detection, raise funds for research for a cure and inspire hope for those touched by the disease. Lori Newcomb, the wife of Newk’s co-founder and CEO Chris Newcomb, was diagnosed with stage IIIC ovarian cancer in early 2013. As an ovarian cancer survivor, she will share her story to help educate women and their loved ones about early warning signs, a critical step in improving the survival rate of women living with the diagnosis. Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death from gynecologic cancers and the fifth leading cause of cancer death among American women.
“We’re thrilled to be teaming up with Newk’s this year,” said OCRF’s CEO Audra Moran. “It’s partnerships and events like these that enable Ovarian Cancer Research Fund to continue funding cutting edge research in our efforts to find better diagnostics, treatments, and ultimately a cure for ovarian cancer.”
Through September, Newk’s signature black cup will be replaced by a teal cup in recognition of Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month at the company’s more than 70 restaurants throughout the Southeast. During the campaign, Newk’s will provide educational information at each of the locations, and the story of Lori’s personal journey will also be available to guests in restaurants, as well as on the Newk’s Cares website. Newk’s will donate a minimum of $15,000 to OCRF as part of its ovarian cancer charitable initiative. And on September 25, in partnership with Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, Lori and Newk’s Cares will also raise funds for OCRF through a 5-hour Ovarian Cycle® indoor cycle event in Jackson, Mississippi, where Newk’s is headquartered. The fundraising goal for this event is $50,000.
In the months leading up to her diagnosis, Lori, a busy mother of three, put the needs of her family first and dismissed changes in her health that were early warning signs of the disease. Her symptoms mimicked those of other innocuous conditions affecting women – bloating, abdominal pain, difficulty urinating. Like most of the 200,000 women nationwide currently living with the disease, Lori’s cancer was advanced at the point of diagnosis and her prognosis was bleak.
Only 20 percent of ovarian cancer cases are caught before the cancer has spread beyond the ovary to the pelvic region. “Only 45 percent of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer survive longer than five years,” said Lori Newcomb. “With early detection and treatment, the rate increases to greater than 92 percent. Through education and by raising money for severely underfunded research, we hope to make a difference in the future progression of this disease.”
Lori has been in remission since July. By sharing her story, Lori and the Newk’s Eatery family hope it will be a source of strength, inspiration and hope in the fight against ovarian cancer.
