Pink Bagels Return at Panera for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Pink Ribbon Bagel month is underway at Panera Bread in East Northport. During October, the restaurant will contribute sales of its pink bagels to the Huntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition.

More than 10,000 bagels were sold across Long Island on day one of the fundraiser with proceeds going to help further the research, support and education efforts of three Long Island breast cancer charities: The Huntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline and Support Program.

“These monies will also be used to help educate adults and school-aged children about the many environmental hazards that can trigger the onset of breast cancer later in life,” says HBCAC’s program director, Karen Miller.

The pink bagels are cherry vanilla flavored, sweeted with brown sugar and cranberry-cherry chips, and twisted into the shape of pink ribbons as a symbol of hope to help support local breast cancer programs.

Hillary Rutter, Director of The Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline and Support Program, explained that the funds they receive will help provide free individual and phone counseling as well as support groups for men and women who are dealing with a diagnosis of breast cancer or who have tested positive for genetic breast cancer.

The proceeds from the Pink Ribbon Bagel fundraiser will also support the research of Dr. Nicholas Tonks at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, which is aimed at developing new therapies for breast cancer. According to Paula Smith, a director at the lab, Dr. Tonks has identified an enzyme, which has been shown to play a significant role in the development of breast cancer. He is currently designing a clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of a PTP1B inhibitor that may prevent metastasis. The funds will help bring the drug to clinical trial.

Last year, the Pink Ribbon Bagel campaign raised over $30,000 locally and the chain expects to top that this year.