Coach Kay Yow, Raleigh Police Chief Jane Perlov, Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker and Breast Cancer Survivors Kickoff Panera Bread’s “In The Pink” Campaign to Highlight Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Raleigh, NC – NC State University Women’s Basketball Coach Kay Yow, Raleigh Police Chief Jane Perlov, Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker joined more than 50 breast cancer survivors today at the Panera Bread at The Lassiter to celebrate the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and acknowledge those who have survived the disease.

During the month of October, Panera Bread is partnering with WakeMed Health & Hospitals, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation NC Triangle Affiliate, WRSN-FM and Mary Kay Cosmetics to increase breast cancer awareness. Throughout October, all 12 Panera Bread locations in the Triangle and Pinehurst will feature Pink Ribbon bagels. Panera Bread will donate 25-cents from the sale of each of these bagels to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation NC Triangle Affiliate.

“Just as important as their financial support during Breast Cancer Awareness Month is the commitment that Panera has made to educate the public about breast health,” said Pam Blondin, Executive Director for the NC Triangle Affiliate of Susan G. Komen. “The sales of Pink-Ribbon bagels in addition to the educational information they are providing will help spread the word about the importance of early detection, self-examination and regular clinical breast exams and mammograms. We are grateful to have such a committed partner.”

To kick-off breast cancer awareness month in October, Panera Bread hosted an “IN THE PINK” survivors’ breakfast. Attendees were clad in pink and served a complimentary “Pink Ribbon Bagel” breakfast. Coach Yow and flashy “Pink Ladies” all arrived in a pink Cadillac with a Raleigh police escort. The Pink Ladies are all breast cancer survivors who are living life “in the pink.” Coach Yow served as honorary chair of the In the Pink campaign.

“Early detection and healthy living is vital,” said Coach Yow. “It has become my personal mission to remind other women to watch their health carefully.”

Coach Yow went on to discuss her personal story and they ways in which her life has been changed. Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker served as the honorary chairman of the “Real Men Wear Pink” campaign and presented a proclamation to Panera Bread declaring Breast Cancer Awareness Day in Raleigh.

To reinforce the message of living a healthy life and surviving breast cancer, WakeMed will sponsor “Coffee Talks” throughout October at various YMCA locations in the Triangle. A WakeMed representative and a breast cancer survivor will facilitate each Coffee Talk.

All Coffee Talks will take place at 10:30 a.m. They will be held at the following YMCA locations:
• Wednesday, October 18th – Finley YMCA (Raleigh)
• Monday, October 23rd – Cary YMCA (Cary)
• Wednesday, October 25th – Kerr YMCA (Raleigh)

“I have become a woman on a mission,” said Casey Bastian, Vice President of Operations for Panera Bread. “My own mother died from breast cancer in an age when people did not publicly talk about this disease. I want women everywhere to take charge of their health and realize that there is hope and there is life after breast cancer.”

About Panera Bread
Panera Bread owns and franchises bakery-cafes under the Panera Bread and Saint Louis Bread Co. names. The company is the leader in the emerging specialty bread/cafe category due to its unique bread combined with a quick, casual dining experience. As released in the July 25, 2006 earnings statement, Panera Bread operates 939 bakery-cafes (337 company-owned and 602 franchised). Additional information is available on the company's website, www.panerabread.com