Pizza Fusion takes socially conscious initiatives to the streets in raising money for cancer research with American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life and Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team In Training

Fort Lauderdale, Fla., March 25, 2008 – Vaughan Lazar and Michael Gordon, co-founders of Pizza Fusion (www.pizzafusion.com), recently put their right foot forward with aggressive fundraising efforts for cancer research and support.  Through involvement with the American Cancer Society’s (ACS) Relay For Life this month and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team In Training program, Pizza Fusion executives are leading the staff at their headquarters in raising money to support the fight against cancer.  Pizza Fusion recently participated in ACS’ Relay For Life event, which took place on March 15 in Delray Beach, Fla., where they contributed to the event’s overall fundraising that resulted in more than $28,000 contributed to cancer research, prevention, awareness and support.  Eric Haley, vice president of communications at Pizza Fusion, sat on the organizing committee as the Relay’s Publicity Chair.

“Though I have been an advocate of ACS and Relay For Life for many years, I found myself taken back by the support and enthusiasm I received from my colleagues when I asked them to take on this project with me,” Haley continues. “Together, we raised money, contributed in-kind donations and increased local awareness for the event and the battle against cancer.”  Pizza Fusion donated a generous amount of organic pizza to help raise funds for ACS at the Relay.

Currently, Pizza Fusion is taking their philanthropic efforts a step further through training to run the San Diego Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon as a part of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team In Training (TNT) program.  Seven team members from Pizza Fusion headquarters, alongside friends and the franchisee of Pizza Fusion San Diego, are working together to surpass their fundraising goal of $50,000 for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  Over the next few months, they’re organizing charity raffles, benefits and calling on friends, vendors, and community members to support them as they prepare to run 26.2 miles on June 1st at the San Diego Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon.

“This will be the third time I’ve ran the San Diego Marathon with TNT.  However, running alongside my colleagues and friends this year will not only make this the largest fundraiser I’ve done, but one of the most rewarding,” Vaughan Lazar, CEO and co-founder of Pizza Fusion, explains. “It’s an honor and pleasure to train for this challenge with such a dedicated team of people.  I’m so proud of everyone involved.”

Through participating in the marathon as members of the Society’s Team In Training program, Pizza Fusion Headquarters receives endurance event training in exchange for their fundraising efforts. Pizza Fusion team members continue to train regularly before work and on the weekends where they’re currently up to 10 miles.  To track Pizza Fusion’s fundraising efforts or to make a donation, visit: http://www.active.com/donate/tntpb/pizzafusion.

About Relay For Life

Relay For Life®, the American Cancer Society’s signature event, is a fun-filled overnight experience designed to bring together those who have been touched by cancer. At Relay, people from within the community gather to celebrate survivors, remember those lost to cancer, and to fight back against this disease. Relay for Life is the world’s largest fundraising walk. In 2007 alone, Relay For Life raised over $405 million.

 

About Team In Training

Since its inception in 1988, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team In Training (TNT) program has prepared more than 340,000 people to achieve their dream of completing a marathon, half marathon, triathlon or 100 mile (century) bicycle ride. TNT participants have raised over $800 million to support blood cancer research and patient services. The enormous success of this program has helped make possible advances in blood cancer therapies and treatments that have prolonged and enhanced the lives of hundreds of thousands of patients.

 

About Pizza Fusion

Pizza Fusion leads a new niche market by combining an eclectic organic menu with a detail-oriented environmental business approach in chic LEED certified fast casual environments. Pizza Fusion serves gourmet pizzas, ciabatta sandwiches, salads, desserts, beers, wines and more in their purest form – untainted by artificial additives, such as sweeteners, pesticides, preservatives, antibiotics and hormones.  For additional information, visit:  www.pizzafusion.com.