Pink Ribbon Bagels a Tradition for Some Mineola Residents

At the Mineola  on Jericho Turnpike, resident Terry Cesarini was munching on her pink ribbon bagel with her two granddaughters in tow. Cesarini, a cancer survivor, says she comes in every year during “Power of Pink Day” when Paneras across the country launch their month long fund raising for breast cancer organizations.

The cherry vanilla bagels – sweetened with brown-sugar and cranberry-cherry chips – are shaped into iconic “pink ribbons” as a symbol of hope to help support local breast cancer organizations.

Present in the Mineola location were staff and volunteers of NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program, one of the three Long Island groups scheduled to receive money from the effort (the other two are Prevention Is The Cure and the Breast Cancer Research Program at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory).

During October’s Breast Cancer Awareness month, each Panera will donate 25 cents from every Pink Ribbon Bagel sold as well as $1 from every Power of Pink Baker’s Dozen sold (a Power of Pink baker’s dozen includes any assortment of bagels and not necessarily Pink Ribbon). On the kick-off day 100 percent of the pink ribbon proceeds were donated.

Over $1 million has been raised on behalf of breast cancer charities because of the ribbon-shaped treat with more than a quarter million sold on Long Island and nearly $80,000 raised for local breast cancer charities.

“This is a delicious way to enjoy a tasty bagel while helping a Long Island breast cancer program,” Hillary Rutter, director of the Adelphi Breast Cancer Program said.