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Gretchen’s Shoebox Express delivering cancer awareness, support in box lunches
10/1/2004
SEATTLE — October 1, 2004 — Gretchen’s Shoebox Express and Athena Partners, a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to eliminating women’s cancers, entered into a partnership agreement last October (Cancer Awareness Month) to place Athena water in all Gretchen’s box lunches. In one year, more than a quarter-of-a-million bottles of Athena water have been sold to Gretchen’s customers throughout the Puget Sound region.
“Every time someone opens a bottle of Athena water from a Gretchen’s Shoebox Express lunch, they’re contributing to finding a cure,” said Mathers. “So when you see our red vans, think pink! And when you want water, think Athena!”
Gretchen Mathers, a cancer survivor and operating partner of Gretchen’s Shoebox Express, is excited to be combining her passion for finding a cure with her passion for running a socially-conscious business.
Athena Partners was founded in 2003 by another female entrepreneur and cancer survivor, Trish May. Athena distributes 100 percent of profits from the sale of its bottled water to local organizations conducting research on all types of women’s cancers. Recent recipients include Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, University of Washington Medicine, and the Marsha Rivkin Center for Ovarian Cancer Research.
“When I was introduced to Athena Partners, I saw an opportunity for a social venture partnership,” said Mathers. “With Athena, our company is helping to spread the word reminding women that they need to take care of themselves with health exams, eating fruits and vegetables, and by drinking plenty of purified water.” In addition, corporate and social customers gain the knowledge that they are making a difference in this arena when they order from Gretchen’s.
“The chain of support goes from consumer to corporate purchaser, to caterer, to Athena bottled water profiting Athena Partners who then donates to women’s cancer research institutions!” said Mathers. “It’s a great system where everyone gets to play a supportive role. ”
Gretchen's Shoebox Express, a division of Schwartz Brothers Restaurants, produces specialty box lunches, platters & salads, and custom floral designs that are delivered fresh daily to customers in the greater Puget Sound area. The menu is continually being updated, and now includes sandwich platters, gift baskets, fruit and bakery platters. For more information or to order visit gretchensshoebox.com or call 206-623-8194.
Athena Partners is a not-for-profit corporation founded to support the elimination of women's cancers by advancing research and education. Athena Partners raises funds, in part, through the sale of Athena bottled water. Athena water is purified water with an important benefit: A full 100 percent of the net profits are devoted to funding innovative, early stage research in the Northwest. Athena water is available at retail outlets throughout the Seattle-area. For more information visit athenapartners.org.
CANCER FACTS
Source: American Cancer Society Cancer Statistics 2004 — www.cancer.org
Cancer accounts for nearly one-quarter of deaths in the United States, exceeded only by heart disease. In 2001, there were 553,768 cancer deaths in the US.
It is estimated that 1.37 million new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in 2004. Cancers of the prostate and breast will be the most frequently diagnosed cancers in men and women, followed by lung and colorectal cancers both in men and in women.
Approximately one in three women in the United States will develop cancer over her lifetime. The leading sites are breast, lung, and colon & rectum.
The survival rate for all cancers combined and for certain site-specific cancers have improved significantly since the 1970s, due, in part, to both earlier detection and advances in treatment. With new treatment techniques and increased utilization of screening, there is hope for even greater improvements in the not-too-distant future.
The American Cancer Society recommends that individuals eat five or more servings of vegetables and fruits a day for cancer prevention.
The American Cancer Society states that women aged 40 and older should have an annual mammogram and clinical breast exam (CBE) as part of a periodic health exam. Women should report any changes to their health care provider. A breast self-examination (BSE) is an option for women starting in their 20s.
The American Cancer Society cervical cancer screening guidelines state that women should begin screening approximately three years after she begins having intercourse, but no later than 21 years of age. Screening should be done every year with regular Pap tests or every two years using liquid-based tests. At or after age 30, women who have had three normal tests in a row may get screened every 2-3 years. Women 70 and older who have had three or more consecutive normal Pap tests in the last 10 years may choose to stop cervical cancer screening.