News

October 5 Event Kicks Off Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Press Release

On October 5, Jersey Mike’s Subs nationwide will be in the pink and ready to celebrate “Mike’s Way to a Cure Day” benefiting Susan G. Komen for the Cure®.  The date was chosen as the start to the final month of the “Mike’s Way to a Cure®” six-month fundraising and awareness-building campaign, which falls in Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  On that day, Jersey Mike’s restaurants throughout the country will donate a portion of proceeds to the cause, see below for individual market information).

“Virtually everyone has been touched by breast cancer in some way, and there is still so much we can collectively do to help hard-working organizations like Susan G. Komen fund research and find a cure,” said Peter Cancro, Jersey Mike’s Founder and CEO.  “The response from our customers has been outstanding – they have shared their stories and supported our efforts on many levels – and it looks like this will be our biggest fundraiser ever.”

The multi-faceted “Mike’s Way to a Cure” initiative began in May and Jersey Mike’s locations throughout the nation have been raising funds and awareness for breast cancer ever since in many different ways:

• Specially branded plastic cups have been available as part of a “Pink Ribbon Combo” or as an individual fountain drink sale with $.70 going to Susan G. Komen for the Cure
• Locations are accepting donations from customers in-store
• “Mike’s Way to a Cure” T-shirts are available with 100 percent of sales donated to Komen
• Special pink Susan G. Komen for the Cure® sub wrapping paper and To Go bags have been created to build awareness with consumers
• Jersey Mike’s team members throughout the country are participating in or supporting Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure® events in their communities.

“Jersey Mike’s partnership creates much needed awareness for breast cancer through their restaurants around the country, while raising funds for life-saving national research and educational programs,” said Margo K. Lucero, vice president of business development & partnerships Susan G. Komen for the Cure.  “We’re delighted to partner with an organization known for giving back to its communities.” 

This has been a year of milestones for the popular East Coast-style sub franchise, which is celebrating its 55^th Anniversary this year.  In March, the company raised more than $600,000 for 66 local charities during its Month of Giving campaign.  “Giving – making a difference in someone’s life” has been a founding principle of the company from the very beginning.  In October, the company will open its 500^th location as well as in its 30^th state:  Louisiana.

About Jersey Mike’s Subs

Jersey Mike’s, a sub sandwich franchise with more than 500 stores open and under development nationwide, has a long history of community involvement and support. Started at the Jersey Shore in 1956, Jersey Mike’s serves authentic East Coast-style subs on fresh baked bread – the same recipe it started with over 50 years ago.  The company’s mission is to bring its customers the highest quality, freshest made sub in the industry and give back to the communities in which it operates. A store locator and franchise information for Jersey Mike’s can be found at www.jerseymikes.com.

About Susan G. Komen for the Cure®

Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure, which is now the world’s largest breast cancer organization and the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer with more than $1.9 billion invested to date. For more information about Susan G. Komen for the Cure, breast health or breast cancer, visit komen.org or call 1-877 GO KOMEN.

Team Member Stories

Marcus Sledge & Susan G. Komen For the Cure®

Marcus Sledge, a corporate manager for Jersey Mike’s Subs in Raleigh, and his wife, Anna Marie, began participating in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure more than a decade ago to help raise money for a great cause.  Soon, however, the cause became personal when Marcus’ aunt, Julie Denton, was diagnosed with breast cancer. 

“When someone has cancer you feel useless,” said Marcus.  “This is our way to do something to help.” 

That year, Marcus pushed his aunt, who was in treatment, nearly the entre way in a wheelchair although she walked by herself at the end to cross the finish line. 

Last year, after seven years of battling numerous cancers, and two weeks before the race, Julie passed away.  Sporting a pink Mohawk as he promised his aunt he would, Marcus and Anna Marie participated in her honor. 

“This is a really personal thing for me,” said Marcus.  “This is how I can uphold her memory, encourage other women to get regular checkups, work toward a cure and make a difference.  It’s not about just one person but about everyone affected by this disease.”

This year, Marcus participated in the 15th Annual Komen NC Triangle Race for the Cure
 on June 11, 2011 in Raleigh.  Anna Marie, expecting their first child, was cheering from the sidelines. Last year. Marcus and Anna Marie celebrated their wedding anniversary by participating in the race.  In fact, the only year they both missed the annual event was on their actual wedding day. 

This year the fundraising efforts are bigger and better than ever before. 

“Last year, Jersey Mike’s Raleigh Coop funded the race,” said Marcus, who described his involvement as a mission.  “This year, Jersey Mike’s on a national level has created a six-month fundraiser running from May to October.  We will raise a lot of money and know the Raleigh Susan G. Komen Affiliate will put the funds to good use.” 

You may have seen Marcus at this year’s race – he grew his hair out and dyed the tips pink in honor of his aunt.

Neda Rousselot & Susan G. Komen For the Cure®

Neda Rousselot, manager of Jersey Mike’s Midtown Atlanta restaurant, is fighting to end breast cancer.  To make a difference, Neda is participating in not just one, but two, Susan G. Komen for the Cure® events in 2011, expecting to raise thousands of dollars to help find a cure.

The first, the Komen Greater Atlanta Race for the Cure (5K) was held on Mother’s Day.  Neda’s dad, Tony Saraj, a Jersey Mike’s franchisee, joined her for his first race.

Now Neda, 32, is focused on another 3-day Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure event – this one in November in San Diego (her first in that city).

“Breast cancer runs in my family so I do the only thing I know to do to help end this disease,” said Neda, who lost her mother to the disease in 1997.  “Walking 60 miles in 3 days and raising a minimum of $2,300 per city is the least I can do.  I know the more I do, the closer we are to a cure.”

Neda, who says the 3-day event is “the most amazing experience in the world,” expects to raise $12,000 in 2011 alone.  Net proceeds are invested in breast cancer research and community programs. 

“I am so proud of Neda -- she is not just doing this for her mother, but for everyone.  At Jersey Mike’s, it’s not just about the bottom line, it is about here,” said her father, Tony, pointing to his heart.

It’s personal stories like this that inspired Jersey Mike’s Subs to launch, “Mike’s Way to a Cure®,” a six-month national initiative to raise awareness and funds for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. 

“I am thrilled that Jersey Mike’s is involved and believe we can raise more than $1 million nationwide to help end breast cancer,” said Neda.  

Jersey Mike’s “Mike’s Way to a Cure” program, running from May through October, begins with the introduction of a specially branded plastic cup available as part of a “Pink Ribbon Combo” or as an individual fountain drink sale and $.70 will go to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.  Donations from customers will also be accepted in-store.  Customers can buy custom “Mike’s Way to a Cure” T-shirts with 100% of the sales donated to Komen.  Jersey Mike’s team members throughout the country are participating in or supporting Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure® events in their communities.  On October 5, the 31 Atlanta area locations will celebrate Jersey Mike’s “Mike’s Way to a Cure” Day, where 25% of proceeds will go to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. 

Both individual and corporate campaigns work toward ending a disease that threatens 1 out of 8 women in the U.S. each year.

“I will walk again this year for my beautiful mother,“ said Neda who is actively fundraising for her upcoming walks.  “I will walk until we have a cure.”

Individual Market Information

Jersey Mike’s Location	Number of Participating Stores	Percent of Proceeds Donated
Asheville	5	50%
Atlanta	31	25%
Austin	4	25%
Bakersfield	2	25%
Beaumont/Tyler	2	50%
Charleston	8	25%
Charlotte	25	50%
Chicago	24	25%
Cincinnati	4	50%
Columbus	1	50%
Dallas	17	50%
Fayetteville	8	25%
Ft. Myers	3	25%
Greenville, NC	13	25%
Huntsville	1	25%
Los Angeles	15	25%
Lynchburg	1	25%
Mocksville, NC	1	50%
Monmouth/Ocean	18	%
Myrtle Beach	5	50%
Nashville	24	25%
Oklahoma City	12	25%
Olathe		50%
Orange County	11	25%
Orlando	10	25%
Palmdale	1	25%
Phoenix	7	25%
Raleigh	23	50%
Richmond	12	25%
San Diego	9	25%
Santa Barbara	2	25%
Santa Clarita	5	25%
Sarasota	2	25%
Savannah	5	25%
Seattle	7	25%
South Bay	3	25%
Tallahassee	2	25%
Tampa	5	25%
Tri Cities	7	25%
VA Beach	4	25%
Ventura	12	25%
Washington DC	7	Free Sub Day Taking Place 10/26
West Palm Beach	11	25%
Whippany	2	25%
Wilmington	5	25%