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Jason’s Deli partners with MD Anderson to launch cancer-preventing salad

Approximately one-third to one-half of all cancers are preventable, a stat that inspired Jason's Deli and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to expand their healthy alliance by introducing a new, nutrient-rich Quinoa, Shrimp & Mango Salad as part of the "Strike Through Cancer" campaign.

June 17, 2015

Approximately one-third to one-half of all cancers are preventable, a stat that inspired Jason's Deli and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to expand their healthy alliance by introducing a new, nutrient-rich Quinoa, Shrimp & Mango Salad as part of the "Strike Through Cancer" campaign.

Jason's Deli chefs and MD Anderson dieticians and cancer prevention researchers collaborated over several months to develop the salad, specifically designed with nutrition in mind, said Joe Tortorice Jr, CEO of Jason's Deli. The chefs worked with different combinations of nutrient-dense ingredients identified by the MD Anderson team until they landed on a taste and presentation they knew would delight Jason's Deli guests.

The nutrient-rich salad is specifically designed as a convenient and healthy dining option in accordance with the American Institute of Cancer Research's and World Cancer Research Fund's guidelines for cancer risk reduction, Tortorice said. It contains vegetables and whole grains but only 310 calories.

"Our alliance with Jason's Deli extends far beyond fundraising, said Therese Bevers, M.D., professor, Clinical Cancer Prevention at MD Anderson Cancer Center. “It is based on our mutual interest in providing people with accessible and healthy dining options, especially promoting a diet that is largely plant based and may have the potential to reduce the risk of cancer.

Strike Through Cancer
In addition to co-creating the new salad, Jason's Deli is hosting the "Strike Through Cancer" campaign during the month of June in stores throughout the country to raise money for cancer research and prevention at MD Anderson. Guests who contribute $1 to the campaign will receive a Sharpie marker at the point of purchase. They can use the marker to create a tribute for a loved one on the in-store display. Guests are also invited to photograph their tributes and share via social media using #EndCancer, according to a company press release.

"We are deeply honored to continue the 'Strike Through Cancer' campaign with MD Anderson," Tortorice said. "No one is immune to cancer and many of our employees and their families have been touched by it. Supporting cancer prevention through high-quality menu options and funding cancer research through generosity of spirit is a deeply meaningful pursuit for us."

The "Strike Through Cancer" campaign was originally launched in 2013, after several Jason's Deli employees and their family members rebounded from cancer thanks to the care and expertise provided by MD Anderson experts, said Tortorice said.

Jason's Deli helped expand MD Anderson's research efforts by donating money from in-store bottled water sales to the world-renowned cancer center. Specially designed labels on Jason's Deli-branded water bottles called attention to the effort by featuring stories and photos of Jason's Deli employees and their families touched by cancer. The water bottle campaign, which is ongoing at Jason's Deli, has raised more than $300,000 to date and was recently honored by the Cause Marketing Forum with a Golden Halo nomination for excellence in health-related campaigns.