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Five children are featured as a part of the fifth annual Burger King’s “Beat Cancer for Kids,” a fund-raising program supporting childhood cancer research at the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center. Since ''BK Beat Cancer for Kids'' first began in 2004, the program has raised $540,000 for pediatric oncology research at the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center. Last July, the event raised more than $200,000. ''BK Beat Cancer for Kids'' is part of Liz's Legacy, a fund to advance cancer research and treatment through UNMC Eppley Cancer Center. The fund is named after the late Liz Karnes, an Omaha civic leader who died in 2003 after a 12-year struggle with cancer. Throughout July, 76 Burger King locations in the greater Omaha and Des Monies areas will ask customers to donate $1 to BK ''Beat Cancer for Kids.'' In return, customers will receive a winning scratch card that includes a free Burger King food item worth at least $1. The scratch cards also provide customers a chance to win a 2008 Mazda CX-7 from the Woodhouse Auto Family. Additional sponsors include Simmonds Restaurant Management, KPTM, and Star 104.5. All donations benefit childhood cancer research at the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center. Ken Cown, M.D., Ph.D., director of the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center, said that these donations have already made a difference. ''We've instituted a new research pilot program that focuses on identifying new treatments for pediatric cancer,'' Cowan said. ''Our hope is these pilot programs will lead to federal funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) on a long-term basis.'' Cowan added that this research wouldn't be possible without Burger King's support Since ''BK Beat Cancer for Kids'' first began in 2004, the program has raised $540,000 for pediatric oncology research at the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center. Last July, the event raised more than $200,000. Tom Thompson, director of development, UNMC Eppley Cancer Center for the University of Nebraska Foundation, said that the commitment the Simmonds family and Burger King restaurants have given to the program and the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center is remarkable. ''They recognize that strides will only be made when physicians and researchers receive this type of support,'' Thompson said. ''It's exciting to see a program have such a direct impact.'' Those interested in making a donation online or learning more about the promotion can visit www.beatcancerforkids.com. |
