Mastercard has announced the launch of its annual “Dine Out” campaign in partnership with Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C).
According to a press release, when customers use their Mastercards to spend $10 or more at qualifying U.S. restaurants between now and August 18, 2017, Mastercard will make a one cent donation up to $4 million to SU2C.
The goal of this year’s campaign is to bring the company’s total funds raised to $39 million, and to bring focus to the support system behind every cancer patient. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 15.5 million people in the U.S. have been diagnosed with cancer — and behind each patient is a full support system.
Mastercard is putting a spotlight on these caregivers with the #StandUpForThem effort on social media and sharing how anyone can help out — whether it’s stepping in to give a main caregiver a break, or taking someone battling cancer and his or her caretaker out for a meal.
“We believe in Stand Up To Cancer’s vision to help make everyone who is diagnosed with cancer a survivor, having been a proud supporter since 2011,” said Andres Siefken, executive vice president for North America marketing and communications at Mastercard. “Through this year’s initiative, we hope to call attention to the fact that there are many things, big and small, that we all can do to support cancer patients and their caregivers.”
SU2C raises funds to accelerate the pace of cancer research and get new therapies to patients quickly. The SU2C’s scientific partners — the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) and a Scientific Advisory Committee led by NobelLaureatee Phillip A. Sharp, Ph.D. — conduct review processes to identify proposals for funding, oversee grants administration and review research progress.
Current members of the SU2C Council of Founders and Advisors (CFA) include Katie Couric, Sherry Lansing, Lisa Paulsen, Rusty Robertson, Sue Schwartz, Pamela Oas Williams, Ellen Ziffren, and Kathleen Lobb.