Donor Network West and Lee’s Sandwiches’ Cup of Life Takes over California
(San Ramon, CA) March 19, 2018 – Lee’s Sandwiches and Donor Network West, the non-profit organization that saves and heals lives through organ, eye and tissue donation in northern California and Nevada, have announced the launch of #cupoflife, a joint community education campaign that will promote donation at Lee’s Sandwiches stores throughout California and on social media.
April is National Donate Life Month, dedicated to inspire individuals to register as organ and tissue donors and to pay tribute to those who have given the Gift of Life. As part of this new campaign, Lee’s Coffee customers will get cups with pink straws that also feature round pink stickers with the question Got the Dot? An embedded pink dot on the drivers’ licenses of Californians is emblematic of their decision to register as donors at the DMV.
Participating stores will also hang posters and window clings in English, Spanish and Vietnamese encouraging customers to take a selfie, photo of the cups or any of the co-branded promotional materials and post them on Facebook and Instagram using the hashtag #cupoflife. Three weekly winners will be chosen randomly and announced on Lee’s Sandwiches and Donor Network West’s social media accounts; they will also receive a $50 prize package, including free beverages.
“Many important conversations take place over a cup of coffee. Our partnership with Lee’s Coffee is an innovative way to deliver the message that organ and tissue donation heals lives, not only at the individual stores but also among the many thousands drinking coffee who will get involved on social media,” says Cindy Siljestrom, CEO of Donor Network West.
The fifteen Lee’s Sandwiches locations participating in #cupoflife include five in northern California – all in Santa Clara County – and 10 in southern California in partnership with OneLegacy, the organ and tissue procurement organization that serves the greater Los Angeles area. The campaign’s kickoff event will be held on March 20 at the Vietnamese American Community Center in San Jose and will include the participation of community leaders, local political figures, Lee’s Coffee and Donor Network West staff, as well as Donate Life Ambassadors.
“Lee’s Coffee is proud to partner with Donor Network West in this joint effort to raise awareness in the community for life-saving donations of organs and tissues,” said Chieu Le, CEO of Lee’s Sandwiches.
Nearly 10,000 people are waiting for a life-saving organ transplant in the 40 counties served by Donor Network West; Santa Clara County makes up the largest waiting list at 16%. One organ donor can save the lives of up to eight people and a tissue donor can heal more than 75 others. Anyone can register as a donor at DonorNetworkWest.org or at the DMV.
About Donor Network West
Donor Network West saves and heals lives by facilitating organ and tissue recovery for transplantation. The organization was established in 1987, and is an official Donate Life organization accredited by the Association of Organ Procurement Organizations (AOPO) and the American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB). Federally designated to serve 40 counties in northern California and Nevada, Donor Network West partners with the Department of Motor Vehicles and the state-authorized donor registries. For information, visit DonorNetworkWest.org and find us on social media: @mydnwest
About Lee’s Sandwiches
Founded in 1983 in San Jose, California, Lee’s Sandwiches is a quick-serve restaurant chain specializing in Bánh Mì, Vietnamese sandwiches and other Euro-Asian food products. From its beginnings as a food truck, Lee’s Sandwiches is now the largest Bánh Mì chain with over 60 locations in Arizona, California, Las Vegas (Nevada), Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Virginia. Lee’s Sandwiches is best known for its fresh and high-quality Euro-Asian sandwiches (Bánh Mì) and gourmet coffee (Cà Phê Sữa Đá), among other products. More at www.leesandwiches.com.