Many of us have been eating Bumble Bee solid white albacore tuna for years. I’ve tried all the brands but always end up going back to San Diego’s own Bumble Bee. Headquartered at 9655 Granite Ridge Drive, Bumble Bee Foods, LLC is a responsible corporate citizen via its encouragement of healthy eating habits and lifestyles.
I’m one of thousands who have lost their mothers (and other loved ones) to breast cancer. So it’s inspiring to learn the company’s interactive health and wellness program, now rebranded as BeeWell for Life, benefits the Breast Cancer Network of Strength.
Breast Cancer Network of Strength raises money to fund outreach programs, breast health awareness workshops, wigs and prostheses banks for women with limited resources, and advocacy on breast cancer related policies. According to the organization, “One out of eight women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. An estimated 184,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year alone, and nearly 41,000 will die from the disease. There are more than 2.3 million breast cancer survivors in U.S. today.â€
On Mother’s Day (May 9) San Diego will be one of 13 cities participating in Breast Cancer Network of Strength’s 3-mile Walk to Empower, and Bumble Bee is one of its national sponsors. It takes place in Mission Bay Park, and is coordinated by the Networks Escondido affiliate.
Why do people get involved? “We are walking for the survivors, as well as those who lost their battle with breast cancer,†says Marclyn Ramirez of Escondido.Her mother, Julie Ramirez, was diagnosed with breast cancer, specifically Invasive Lobular Carcinoma, a year ago. “I was on the verge of graduating from college in May 2009,†Ramirez says. “There was an upcoming walk on Mother’s Day, so it was kind of perfect timing.â€
Ramirez says she found out before the walk that her aunt in Chula Vista also had breast cancer. “Through Network of Strength, I was able to support my mom,†she says. “Their YourShoes 24/7 hotline helped my mom and aunt with answers to their questions, while the Network provided them with their prosthesis.â€
According to spokesperson Brittany Gotschall, Bumble Bee “decided to partner with BCNOS because we believe in its mission and its support. Finding a cure is important but we should not forget the women who are facing this disease now.†Gotschall says Bumble Bee employees will take part in the May 9 walk. “Last year we had participants in both the Los Angeles and San Diego walks.â€
The company’s new Bumble partnership this year is encouraging walking, cycling or running, then logging miles in the BeeWell for Life account. For every mile logged in a person’s account, Bumble Bee Foods will donate 15 cents to Breast Cancer Network of Strength. A goal of one million miles has been set for all participants. When that happens, Bumble Bee will donate an additional $50,000, for a total $200,000.
Bumble Bee’s BeeWell for Life program provides resources and tools to help consumers live a healthier life. In addition to daily measurement tools, coach Jenny Hadfield offers helpful suggestions for workouts and other activities to stay active. Nutritionists Willow Jarosh and Stephanie Clarke provide tips on nutrition and healthy cooking.
