FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Kelly Snow (Kelly@theprboutique.com)
Gretchen Ferguson (gretchen@theprboutique.com)
The PR Boutique
713-599-1271
RA SUSHI TO RAISE
FUNDS FOR ST. JUDE CHILDREN’S RESEARCH HOSPITAL
Houston, TX. (April 1, 2008) – RA Sushi will host its
fourth annual “Nicky’s Week” fundraiser in May to benefit the internationally
renowned St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. From May 25 to 31, the
Scottsdale-based restaurant and bar will donate 100 percent of the proceeds
from the sale of the signature tootsy maki, edamame, pork gyoza, FIJI Water,
Red Bull, and other select beverages to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research
Hospital.
All 19 RA Sushi locations in Arizona, California, Florida,
Illinois, Maryland, Nevada, and Texas will participate in the fundraiser.
The
fundraiser was developed in memory of longtime St. Jude patient Nicholas
“Nicky” Mailliard, who lost a long battle with brain cancer in February 2005. A
nephew of one of RA’s founders, Rich Howland, Nicky held a special place in the
hearts of RA associates throughout the organization. RA initiated the
fundraiser in honor of Nicky as a way to further promote the exceptional attention
and support provided at no cost to families of children receiving care at St.
Jude.
“St.
Jude played a critical role during Nicky’s illness by providing
state-of-the-art care and by keeping our family informed,” said Rich Howland,
one of the founding partners of RA Sushi. “St. Jude is an incredible
organization with an important mission, and we want to help ensure that its
services remain available to children and families battling serious illness.”
Since
2005, RA Sushi has raised more than $250,000 for the national children’s
hospital. This year, the goal is to raise an additional $100,000.
(more)
RA Sushi Nicky’s Week / Page 2
“We
are very appreciative of events like Nicky’s Week that help raise money to
support St. Jude,” said John Vranas, senior vice president of ALSAC, the
fundraising organization of St. Jude. “Because of the generous support of this
community and people around the country, St. Jude is able to continue to find
cures and save children with cancer and other life-threatening diseases.”
All
donations from the weeklong effort will help pay for the development of
treatment and cures for diseases such as brain tumors, leukemia, sickle cell
disease, and other life-threatening illnesses in children.
“Year after year, Nicky’s Week continues to be a huge
success and with RA’s recent expansion into several new markets, we hope for an
even bigger turnout this May,” said Scott Kilpatrick, co-founder and vice
president of RA Sushi. “We can’t thank our customers enough for supporting this
special cause.”
About RA Sushi
RA Sushi is best known for successfully combining
distinctive sushi with a trendy, hip atmosphere. A destination for the young
and chic, as well as serious sushi connoisseurs, RA serves fresh sushi to order
along with outstanding Japanese fusion cuisine in a fun, lively environment. By
May 2008, RA will have 19 locations across the country with five more locations
slated to open by 2009. Enjoy RA Sushi in Arizona (Ahwatukee, Mesa, North
Scottsdale, Old Town Scottsdale, Tempe and Tucson); California (Corona, San
Diego, Torrance and Tustin); Florida (Palm Beach Gardens and Pembroke Pines –
May 2008); Illinois (Chicago, Glenview and Lombard); Maryland (Baltimore);
Nevada (Las Vegas); and Texas (Houston and Plano). For more information about
RA, visit www.RAsushi.com.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is internationally
recognized for its pioneering work in finding cures and saving children with
cancer and other catastrophic diseases. Founded by late entertainer Danny
Thomas and based in Memphis, Tenn., St. Jude freely shares its discoveries with
scientific and medical communities around the world. No family ever pays for
treatments not covered by insurance, and families without insurance are never
asked to pay. St. Jude is financially supported by ALSAC, its fundraising
organization. For more information, please call 1-800-822-6344 or visit www.stjude.org.
# # #