ALEXANDRIA, VA--(Marketwired - Sep 11, 2014) - The American Diabetes Association (Association) is pleased to announce a $350,000 donation from the McLean, Virginia-based Subway Development Corporation of Washington (SDC) on behalf of the Subway restaurants in the Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and Washington D.C. region. The check was presented to the Association yesterday at SDC's 17 th Annual Charity Golf Tournament, where proceeds from the event also benefitted the Association.
"Nearly 30 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes and we are honored to have the Subway Development Corporation of Washington (SDC) and their franchise owners in the Virginia, Maryland, Washington D.C., and Delaware areas join us to help Stop Diabetes ® ," said Greg Elfers, Chief Field Development Officer for the American Diabetes Association. "As SDC's charity of choice, their support allows us to continue to provide invaluable programs and resources across the country to prevent diabetes and help people lead healthier lives."
The donation marks the fourth year that SDC has designated the Association as their charity of choice, bringing the total charitable contribution to more than $1.4 million. The majority of the donation was raised from the sale of "Stop Diabetes Hands," where customers visiting Washington D.C., Maryland, Virginia and Delaware area Subway restaurants could make a $1 contribution to the Association and receive a pin-up Stop Diabetes hand.
All proceeds from the sales, which ran from June through August, will be donated to the Association. Each pin-up was hung in the store where purchased, which will help to further raise awareness of the disease and recognize the customers who contribute to this important effort. More than 1,200 restaurants across the region participated. The donation drive culminates in a charity golf tournament each September where proceeds also benefit the Association.
"Our support of the American Diabetes Association is a real team effort," says David Dickerson, VP of Operations for Subway Development Corporation of Washington (SDC). "Our business consultants work with each of our restaurants to implement the program, and the franchisees, the sandwich artist's and managers really make it happen by motivating their teams and encouraging their customers to support the cause. Everyone at SDC is very proud of the level of fund raising that our franchisees and their teams are able to achieve each year for this important cause."
In addition to the pin-up campaign and golf tournament, SDC supports the Association's signature fundraising events, including Tour de Cure ® held every June and the Step Out ® : Walk to Stop Diabetes ® held every October by providing food and forming teams. Subway restaurants in these areas also offer "Diabetes Friendlier Meal Choices" to ensure a variety of options for millions of customers with diabetes. This menu option allows customers to have the bread "scooped out" on the lower fat sandwich choices, reducing the amount of calories and carbohydrates.
The American Diabetes Association is leading the fight to Stop Diabetes and its deadly consequences and fighting for those affected by diabetes. The Association funds research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes; delivers services to hundreds of communities; provides objective and credible information; and gives voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes. Founded in 1940, our mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. For more information please call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or visit www.diabetes.org . Information from both these sources is available in English and Spanish .
Contact: Lauren Gleason (703) 549-1500 ext. 2622 lgleason@diabetes.org
