Jason's Deli, MD Anderson Awarded Gold Halo by Cause Marketing Forum for "Strike Through Cancer" Campaign

BEAUMONT, Texas, June 4, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Jason's Deli and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center were honored by the Cause Marketing Forum for their "Strike Through Cancer One Dime at a Time" alliance. They were awarded the 2015 Gold Halo in the Best Health-Related Campaign Category for outstanding efforts to do well by doing good.

When Jason's Deli, a family-oriented fast casual restaurant in 29 states, realized a number of its employees or their family members recovered from cancer thanks to the care of MD Anderson's experts, it aligned with the cancer center to create a fundraising campaign based in Jason's Deli stores.

"As a family business, we take care of our own and support each other. The cancer fight is very personal to us," said Jason's Deli CEO and President Joe Tortorice, Jr. "Leading our fundraising efforts by sharing their stories lets everyone know how important it is to support MD Anderson in its mission to eradicate cancer."

Jason's Deli featured personal and triumphant stories on its branded bottles of water, of which they sell millions every year. Ten cents from the sale of each water bottle was donated to MD Anderson for cancer research and patient care.

"MD Anderson is extremely grateful to Jason's Deli for their commitment to raising awareness of the impact that cancer can have on the millions of people touched by the disease," said DeDe DeStefano, executive director, Corporate Relations at MD Anderson. "'Strike Through Cancer' gives millions of people the opportunity to come together and champion the universal fight against cancer."

This year's "Strike Through Cancer" alliance continues in Jason's Deli locations with the new Quinoa Shrimp & Mango Salad, a nutrient-dense entrée co-created with MD Anderson dietitians and cancer prevention researchers. Though cancer is not entirely avoidable, choosing a healthy diet that includes a variety of plant foods may help lower the risk of cancer.

"We congratulate Jason's Deli and MD Anderson for their success at simultaneously building a better world and the bottom line," said Cause Marketing Forum President David Hessekiel.

Nearly one hundred programs were entered in this year's Cause Marketing Halo Award competition.

About the Cause Marketing Halo Awards

Now in their thirteenth year, the Cause Marketing Halo Awards are North America's highest honor in the field of cause marketing. They are awarded by the Cause Marketing Forum, a Rye, NY-based company that provides business and nonprofit executives with the practical information and connections they need to succeed.  Descriptions of all the Cause Marketing Halo Award winners can be found online at www.CauseMarketingForum.com/halo2015.

About Jason's Deli

A family-owned deli restaurant chain, Jason's Deli was founded in Beaumont, Texas, in 1976 by Joe Tortorice Jr. and now has more than 250 locations in 29 states. In 2005, Jason's Deli was the first major restaurant concept to ban artificial trans fats in the U.S. and later became the first to eliminate high-fructose corn syrup. At Jason's Deli, regardless if you seek gluten-free or vegetarian options, healthy kids' meals, or if you would like to build your own salad at their famous salad bar, you will be delighted by the bigger choices of better food, from healthy to indulgent. For more information, please visit www.jasonsdeli.com

About MD Anderson

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston ranks as one of the world's most respected centers focused on cancer patient care, research, education and prevention. MD Anderson is one of only 41 comprehensive cancer centers designated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). For the past 25 years, MD Anderson has ranked as one of the nation's top two cancer centers in U.S. News & World Report's annual "Best Hospitals" survey. MD Anderson receives a cancer center support grant from the NCI of the National Institutes of Health (P30 CA016672).

Contact:  Meghan Butler, 1-512-657-4548, [email protected]

SOURCE Jason's Deli

Related Links

http://www.jasonsdeli.com