Press Release

Charlottesville Merchants Unite to Help AbolishCancer

Eight local businesses unite to assist cancer organizations through purchases next week

Charlottesville (February 1, 2012) – AbolishCancer and a select group of cancer fighting organizations are teaming up with 8 local merchants in the Charlottesville area to raise funds and awareness through a local campaign February 6 through February 12^th.  Charlottesville businesses will run special promotions during the week and will donate a certain amount from each purchase to the cancer charity that the CONSUMER chooses.  Participating cancer organizations include: The Gift of Life Bone Marrow Foundation, The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, The Sarcoma Foundation of America, The B+ (be positive) Foundation, The UVA Cancer Center, and the Colon Cancer Alliance.

This unique campaign occurs through the innovative new technology platform created by AbolishCancer that allows consumers to make charitable decisions while sharing the campaign through their social networks to their friends and families.  The participating merchants of the campaign include: EcoTulips, Maya Restaurant, Baja Bean, Albemarle Baking Company, The Downtown Grille, Hamiltons’ at First & Main, Mudhouse Coffeehouse, and The Ivy Inn.  Merchants have set their own particular promotion and donation amount for the campaign, which lasts one calendar week.  The promotions can be found at www.abolishcancer.com.

“Cancer impacts all of us.” said Darah Bonham, Founder and CEO of AbolishCancer. “We have seen the power of social media to unite people from across the globe for a common cause and realize we have the ability to do the same in our own local community with the partnerships formed between merchants and cancer fighting organizations.   I am so thankful for the support from the merchants who have signed on for the campaign and can’t wait to have local consumers in the community take part and create a buzz by raising funds through their purchase behavior and sharing it through their social circles.”

The hope is to raise not only funds for the cancer organizations but to also increase the awareness of their work and to better inform consumers of the resources available in the fight against cancer.  Andrea Clay, National Partnership & Strategy Director for the Colon Cancer Alliance summed it up by saying, “The Colon Cancer Alliance is pleased to partner with AbolishCancer on such an exciting and innovative way to raise funds and awareness in the fight against cancer.”

Dan Pabst, Director of Operations for Mudhouse Coffee in Charlottesville, described the feelings of many merchants when asked about the reason for his participation.

“Mudhouse is proud to take part in the local @abolishcancer campaign. As a part of the local Charlottesville community for more than 18 years, we are excited to be a part of this innovative campaign that will allow our customers to decide how we put our donation dollars to work.  Furthermore, the way this campaign will utilize the power of social media for positive community-oriented action is innovative and inspiring.  We look forward to making donations on behalf of our wonderful customers! “

A kickoff of the campaign will occur at the Mudhouse Coffeehouse on the Downtown Mall at 10AM on February 6.  Members of the media are invited to attend and inquiries about the campaign can be directed to Darah Bonham via email DBonham@abolishcancer.com

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