NEW ORLEANS, April 20 Copeland's Restaurants announced today their partnership with Tour de Lis for the annual "Healin' Through Wheelin'" bike ride, walk/run event taking place in New Orleans on May 8, 2010. With a common goal to celebrate Cancer survivors and raise funds for cancer treatment, support and research, this year's event unites the Greater New Orleans community in the global race against cancer to benefit the Al Copeland Foundation, the Lance Armstrong Foundation, and the Cancer Association of Greater New Orleans.
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With $400,000 raised to date, Tour de Lis's "Healin' Through Wheelin'" is more than a bike ride, walk/run event - it allows participants an opportunity to ride, walk or run in memory of a loved one and to celebrate the hope and strength of survivors and those still in battle. Additionally, the event helps patients and their families cope with the physical and emotional challenges of a cancer diagnosis, while providing assistance to cancer patients in the Greater New Orleans Area who have exhausted their own resources for cancer treatment with nowhere else to turn.
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"The Tour de Lis is growing to become one of New Orleans' leading cancer fundraising and awareness events, and we are honored and excited to be a part of their outstanding effort," said Charli Womac, co-president of the Al Copeland Foundation for cancer research. "We look forward to working with this enthusiastic team to achieve our common goals."
The event was originally organized in honor of former New Orleans resident, Josh Lipschutz, who was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor in 1992. Josh battles this disease today. In his honor as well as countless friends and family members who have fought Cancer, community activists and Josh's cousins Carol and Harold Asher, along with Mickey Allweiss, Bill Schwartz, Jeff Meyers and Doug Thornton organized the Tour de Lis.
"Battling cancer is such a daunting challenge," says Carol Asher. "I lost my Mom to Ovarian Cancer and my cousin Josh continues to be a great inspiration to us... His courage and that of everyone fighting this disease is the impetus for Tour de Lis, which has become a landmark New Orleans event to honor and support cancer survivors, their advocates, and loved ones."
New to the event this year, Tour de Lis has added a 5K walk/run for those who don't want to bike but still want to participate. In an effort to involve as many people as possible, the Copeland Family and Al Copeland Investments have formed Team Copeland's to participate in the Tour de Lis.
About Tour de Lis
Tour de Lis was founded in 2007 by Carol and Harold Asher, community activists in New Orleans whose 35 year old cousin, Josh, was married for less than a month when he was diagnosed and survived malignant brain cancer with tremendous optimism and courage. In his honor, the Ashers organized a fundraiser. In 2008, the Ashers along with other founders, Doug Thornton, Mickey Allweiss and Bill Schwartz all of whom had been touched by cancer, launched plans for the 2008 inaugural Tour de Lis "Healin' Through Wheelin'" event with a goal to attract 500 riders of all levels, expand awareness of cancer needs in their own community and increase financial support for cancer organizations in the Greater New Orleans Area. 2009 Tour de Lis had 600 participants and raised $196,000. For more information regarding Tour de Lis and to register visit http://tourdelis.com/.
About Al Copeland Foundation
The Al Copeland Foundation has been established in memory of a true New Orleans legend, founder of Popeye's Fried Chicken and Biscuits, humanitarian, and world renowned entrepreneur, whose life was cut short by a rare and aggressive form of cancer, Merkel Cell Carcinoma. The purpose of this organization is to carry on Al Copeland Sr.'s wishes to help others with this type of cancer, aid in research for a cure, create awareness of this disease, to help individuals in our community with the financial and emotional burden of battling cancer and to support various community organizations close to Al Copeland's heart. Our sincere gratitude is offered to those who help others and continue Al Copeland's legacy through this foundation. For more information on the Al Copeland Foundation, visit www.alcopelandfoundation.org.
About Al Copeland Investments (ACI)
Founded by legendary restaurateur Al Copeland, Al Copeland Investments (ACI) is one of the premium names in the hospitality industry owning a number of leading food, restaurant and entertainment enterprises. The ACI family of companies includes 30 restaurants, hotels and comedy clubs throughout the United States, including Copeland's Diversified Food and Seasonings, Copeland's of New Orleans, Copeland's Cheesecake Bistro, Copeland's Social City, Amor Fiory Steakhouse de Brazil Churrascaria and Improv Comedy Club & Dinner Theater, among others. An icon in Southern cuisine and the founder of Popeye's Famous Fried Chicken & Biscuits Restaurants, Al Copeland's memory lives on through the Al Copeland Foundation which is dedicated to the eradication of Merkel Cell Carcinoma, the disease that took Copeland's life. For more information on ACI and the Al Copeland Foundation, visit www.alcopeland.com and www.alcopelandfoundation.org.
About the Cancer Association of Greater New Orleans (CAGNO)
CAGNO prides itself in protecting and defending the community against cancer through education, outreach, and research. CAGNO's patient services program provides vital prescription medications, transportation and other necessities to cancer patients who otherwise would have to do without. For more information on CAGNO visit http://www.cagno.org/.
About Lance Armstrong Foundation
This foundation provides financial support and capacity building to community-centered initiatives that address the physical, emotional and practical challenges of cancer survivorship. Lance Armstrong's victories in 1999-2005 Tours de France are awe-inspiring, but the battle against cancer has just begun. For more information on the Lance Armstrong Foundation visit www.livestrong.org.
SOURCE Copeland's Restaurants
