CANCERCARE AND CARIBOU COFFEE: A PERFECT BLEND FOR CANCER PATIENTS

As a 16-year cancer survivor and longtime patient advocate, I was excited to learn that Caribou Coffee, one of the leading branded coffee companies in the country, has formed a new partnership with CancerCare, a non-profit organization that for nearly 70 years has provided a variety of free support services for cancer patients and their loved ones.

Each year, Caribou pays tribute its original roastmaster, Amy Erickson, who lost her battle with breast cancer in 1995 at age 33, by donating a portion of its Amy's Blend special collection of coffee, tea and merchandise to a cancer organization.

This year the worthy beneficiary is CancerCare.

Until Wednesday, Nov. 7, Caribou will donate 10 percent of all proceeds from sales of the Amy's Blend collection (left) to CancerCare.

The esteemed cancer organization, which helps more than 100,000 individuals and families each year, offers counseling and support groups, educational publications and workshops, financial assistance and more. All of these services are provided by professional oncology social workers and are completely free of charge. 

"Caribou Coffee's generous commitment will help support CancerCare's free nationwide services for people affected by breast cancer," says Helen H. Miller, LCSW, the CEO of CancerCare. "The partnership between Caribou and CancerCare is a natural fit, as both organizations care passionately about what they deliver."

Caribou, which has 585 coffeehouses, including 174 franchised locations, in 21 states, the District of Columbia and nine international markets, is encouraging everyone to access CancerCare's resources by going to the CancerCare.org website.

Another easy way to support CancerCare is to visit Caribou's Facebook page dedicated to Amy, who's described by those who knew her as someone who was deeply compassionate and lived life to the fullest. 

For every new "Like" on this page, the company will donate an additional $1 to CancerCare. For the benefit of cancer patients across the nation, I ask that everyone who reads this story please click on this page and "Like" it.

Mike Tattersfield, president and CEO of Caribou Coffee, says, "Giving back to the community is at the core of our company, and we were moved by CancerCare's approach to providing support services, including financial assistance, on a very local and individual level. We are very excited to work with an organization that will help those impacted by breast cancer in Caribou's communities to provide support for co-payments, home care, transportation to and from treatment, and other miscellaneous costs and needs, all while paying tribute to our dear friend, Amy Erickson."

To speak with a CancerCare social worker, call 800-813-HOPE (4673), or visit www.cancercare.org.