OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill. -- The tight-knit convenience store industry will pull together in support of finding a cure for melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer, at CSP Business Media's 2015 Convenience Retailing University (CRU) in Dallas, February 4-6. The Charitable Alliance of Restaurant & Retail Executives (CARRE) Foundation--whose purpose is to provide leadership through charitable giving, while building stronger relationships and bonds within our conference and community--will spearhead the cause.
Sadly, melanoma's merciless affects have struck two respected members of our own industry: Lynn Wallis, president and CEO of Wallis Cos., and Mark McKinney, senior vice president of operations for Huck's/Martin & Bayley Inc. In March of 2001, Lynn Wallis lost her husband Bill, then president & CEO of Wallis Companies, to melanoma. In 2009, Lynn lost her dear friend, and Wallis Cos. COO, Mark Martinovich to melanoma as well. Later in 2013, Mark McKinney of Huck's lost his son Andrew at age 24.
"Our passion to support our generous, loving conference community is reflected in the principles of the CARRE Foundation," says David Jobe, president, Leadership Conferences, CSP Business Media. "We are driven to humbly stand with our fellow members Lynn Wallis and Mark McKinney to continue their quest to cure melanoma and will do everything in our power to push forth research that truly makes a difference."
According to the American Cancer Society, the rates of melanoma have been going up in the U.S. over the past 30 years. In 2014, about 76,000 new cases of melanoma will be diagnosed in the United States. Of those 76,000 cases, about 9,700 affected people are expected to die. Melanoma affects people of all skin types and ages.
All funds raised by the CARRE Foundation will go to the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, to support genetic research that is aimed at understanding melanoma and finding a cure.
The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization focused on developing earlier diagnostics and smarter treatments. Translational genomics research is a relatively new field employing innovative advances arising from the Human Genome Project and applying them to the development of diagnostics, prognostics and therapies for cancer, neurological disorders, diabetes and other complex diseases. TGen is on the cutting edge of translational research where investigators are able to unravel the genetic components of common and complex diseases. Working with collaborators in the scientific and medical communities, TGen believes it can make a substantial contribution to the efficiency and effectiveness of the translational process. TGen's vision is of a world where an understanding of genomic variation can be rapidly translated to the diagnosis and treatment of disease in a manner tailored to individual patients.
To provide financial support or to donate to the silent auction, please visit CRU's website ConvenienceRetailing.com/carre, or contact Luke Kircher at (480) 337-3407 or lkircher@cspnet.com.
At CSP's Leadership Conferences & Events, our CARRE Foundation plays a critical role in the attendee experience. CARRE Foundation's purpose is to provide leadership through charitable giving while building stronger relationships and bonds within our conference community. Primary Support will be to other non-profit organizations, including, but not limited to, those that assist others suffering from disability, disease, illness and other hardships, as well as organization s that promote the development of programs that extol the virtues of leadership.
Oak Brook, Ill.-based CSP Business Media, publisher of CSP, Convenience Store Products, FoodService Director and Restaurant Business magazines, is a market-dominant, business-to-business, multi-media communication company specializing in the convenience retailing, restaurant and on-the-go food industries. In addition to its print products, CSP Business Media has an extensive portfolio of online products including e-newsletters (CSP Daily News), websites (CSPnet.com), web conferences, CSPTV and other video products, mobile applications and custom solutions. And CSP Leadership Conferences & Events produces more than 20 major EduNetworking live conferences and focused meetings.
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