Bed & Breakfast Assoc. of KY creates ‘Caring for a Cure’ program - Innkeepers pledging support to new KY Cancer Foundation and Hospice of the Bluegrass

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Louisville, KY (PRWEB) June 20, 2012

The Bed & Breakfast Association of Kentucky (BBAK) is launching a B&B hospitality/cancer awareness program in support of the newly formed Kentucky Cancer Foundation: Through “Caring for a Cure,” BBAK innkeepers will offer a holistic approach geared toward cancer education, awareness and prevention and comfort, care and contribution.

“We recognize that cancer has affected everyone in some way,” said Todd Allen, president of the BBAK. “A bed and breakfast getaway is a wonderful way to help reduce stress, which has been considered a leading contributor to certain types of cancer.”

“Caring for a Cure” is the BBAK’s response to Gov. Steve Beshear’s recent announcement of a public-private collaboration aimed at tackling Kentucky’s continued problem with high rates of cancer. Many BBAK member innkeepers have been lost in recent years due to cancer and several are currently challenged with cancer themselves or within their families. The BBAK has planned several ways to support the initiative, from education to raising awareness to donation collection.

Pledging support, raising awareness
Beginning July 1, 2012, each participating BBAK innkeeper has pledged $1 for every bed and breakfast reservation over the next 12 months through July, 2013. Educational materials on preventive actions and pre-screening programs will be made available at each B&B location. Specials and packages with tie-ins to cancer awareness themes will be promoted monthly.

Menus will feature breakfast food items that help lower risk for many cancers as well as nutritional snacks and fruit smoothies. A wide range of stress relievers, such as therapeutic music in guest rooms and throughout the inn, spa treatments and videos/disks of yoga and Tai Chi, will be offered. At inns featuring whirlpool tubs, a variety of calming bubble bath products and soothing aromatherapies will be available. An ongoing training and communications plan has been prepared to provide education and training for BBAK members.

At the time of check-out, guests will have the opportunity to join the BBAK in contributing to the cause with a donation. Guests may opt to direct their donation to the Kentucky Cancer Foundation or Hospice of the Bluegrass or split it between the two organizations.

Caring for a cure
“We want to help with finding a cure for cancer, promoting prevention efforts, providing incentives for recovery getaways and rewarding those who are caring for cancer patients,” said Allen. “We are working closely with both organizations to determine discount incentives that help promote pre-screenings as well as a rewards program for Hospice caregivers.

Every donation will automatically enter BBAK guests into a monthly drawing for a free night stay at a participating BBAK member inn. Based on the level of donation, thank you gift items – selected from the Choose Hope line of Cancer Awareness Products and Cancer Gifts, which donates a portion of every sale to fund cancer research – will be offered. Items range from cancer awareness ribbons and bracelets to t-shirts and hoodie sweatshirts.

One hundred percent of the moneys collected from BBAK innkeepers and guests on behalf of “Caring for a Cure” will go to support the program and be paid directly to the Kentucky Cancer Foundation and/or Hospice of the Bluegrass.

To learn more about the Bed & Breakfast Association of Kentucky, its members, inn recipes, specials and discount offers and “Caring for a Cure” campaign, visit http://www.KentuckyBB.com or call 888-281-8188.

MEDIA CONTACT
Todd Allen, President
Bed & Breakfast Association of Kentucky
1347 S. Third Street
Louisville, KY 40208
888-281-8188 or 859-336-3075
Hi- and low-res images available.

ABOUT KENTUCKY CANCER FOUNDATION | The Kentucky Cancer Foundation (KCF) is a new 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to ensure that all Kentucky citizens have access to life-saving preventative and early detection cancer services, regardless of their financial situation. Their work supports the priorities of the Kentucky Cancer Action Plan and Resource Plan.

ABOUT HOSPICE OF THE BLUEGRASS | Hospice of the Bluegrass is a private non-profit organization governed by a Board of Directors. The program is a member of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, is certified by Medicare and Medicaid, is licensed by the State of Kentucky and accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. Hospice of the Bluegrass serves more than 1,000 patients daily in 32 central, southeastern and northern Kentucky counties.

ABOUT BED & BREAKFAST ASSOCIATION OF KENTUCKY | BBAK is a non-profit professional Kentucky B&B association comprising nearly 100 inspected bed and breakfast inns, boutique hotels, cottages, country inns and farm stays. Member properties, which are certified and uphold quality standards, represent the very best in personalized, quality accommodations in the state. The BBAK works to educate, promote and support efforts for the advancement of the innkeeping profession.

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