Industry-changing dirty soda concept hosts campaign to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer research and treatment
Every two minutes, a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, and one in eight women in the United States is diagnosed in their lifetime. But over 85 percent of women diagnosed have no family history of the disease, making the discovery process unpredictable and alarming. However, these sobering statistics are paired with a hopeful one: according to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer has a 99 percent survival rate when detected early.
Before founding Swig in 2010, Nicole Tanner was diagnosed with cystosarcoma phyllodes, a rare, fast-growing form of breast cancer that required surgery. Since Tanner didn’t have health insurance at the time, she not only had to worry about battling cancer, but also a mountain of medical bills. After her cancer was successfully removed, Tanner learned that her medical bills had been completely paid off by generous donors, which inspired her to pay it forward with Save The Cups.
Since its creation, Save The Cups has raised $300,000 to help pay for patients’ medical bills, and, this year, the goal is to add $150,000 to that figure. Throughout Breast Cancer Awareness Month, customers can buy specialized drinks, tumblers, stickers and apparel, as well as simply donate directly at their local Swig, with all proceeds used to financially support affected families, just like the hospital fund supported Nicole’s.
“Save The Cups means the world to me,” Tanner said. “It’s tender and close to my heart. At first, this started as a way to give back, but the momentum and support we’ve received has turned this into a movement. It’s so much bigger than me, and it almost feels as if Swig was born so that it could lead us to Save The Cups.”
Awareness is a key factor in the Save The Cups campaign. If breast cancer is found early, there are more treatment options and a significantly better chance for survival.
“By far and away, I just wish everyone would go get their stinking mammograms,” said Dr. Jennifer Tittensor, M.D. “Insurance pays for women 40 and older to get a free mammogram every year and, if we find it early, we can fight it. Grab your girlfriends and go get a Swig and a mammogram.”
Last year, Utah resident Karli Hanks heard Nicole Tanner speaking about the Save The Cups campaign and subsequently scheduled her very first mammogram at age 42. A month later, she found out she had breast cancer.
“Don’t wait,” said Hanks, who had her medical bills paid for through Save The Cups. “Even if you think you’re a healthy woman, don’t wait! Schedule a mammogram. It’s awkward for 30 minutes, but it could save you a lifetime.”
“We have to tell our stories,” Tanner said. “I held mine in for too long, but I’m so happy to be sharing it now. We owe it to each other! We never know whom we’re going to help.”
For more information on how to support the foundation, visit SaveTheCups.org.
Swig, home of the Dirty Soda, was founded in 2010 in St. George, Utah. Owner and Founder Nicole Tanner was brainstorming one night about possible business ideas and the two came up with the idea for a drive-by drink shop that had customized flavors added to its drinks. From that small beginning, Swig has expanded into multiple states, becoming thousands of people’s go-to destination for personalized sodas, customized energy drinks, boba teas, cookies and other sweets. Swig is part of Savory Fund, a management group that infuses exciting startup brands with capital and pairs them with its team of 65 industry veterans who have expertise in everything from real estate, development and construction to store operations, procurement, technology, recruiting, training and finance. For more information, visit swigdrinks.com and follow Swig on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
Savory Fund is an innovative private equity firm that combines over $500 million in assets under management with a growth playbook and expertise that has been developed over 15 years of operating in the restaurant industry. Savory partners with high-potential, profitable, emerging restaurant brands to deliver financial capital, industry expertise, growth and revenue opportunities, profitability enhancements and new location development. The Savory team contributes directly to all aspects of growth and replication by using a proven playbook and methodology. Founder involvement in the expansion of a brand is a central theme of the Savory approach as founders carry the tribal knowledge around the uniqueness that has energized early success and is essential to future growth. For more information, visit SavoryFund.com.
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