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Press Release: May 4, 2007

Peruvian Coffee Brew Aids Women at Home, Abroad

$1 helps Weekend to End Breast Cancer, Peruvian workers Debra Downey, Dundas

Philippa Heritage's goal to raise $2,000 for the Weekend to End Breast Cancer is quite literally a win-win situation for women in Canada and abroad.

Ms. Heritage has teamed up with friend Penny Palmer, owner of Global Village in Westdale, for a fundraising campaign that will see $1 from each pound of Birds & Beans Peru Cafe Femenino contributed to breast cancer research, education, and treatment at Princess Margaret Hospital.

The coffee is an organic, shade-grown, fair trade coffee that is grown and produced by an all-female coffee growing cooperative comprised of Peruvian women who are the sole financial supporters for their families.

"I have always purchased this particular coffee from Penny's store because I liked the idea of supporting women and their families so far away," said Ms. Heritage.

Last year, while fundraising for the Weekend to End Breast Cancer, Ms. Heritage approached her friend about raising the $2,000 required to participate in the walk. Ms. Palmer suggested the $1 contribution from the coffee.

"I fell in love with the idea," said Ms. Heritage. "The thought that by purchasing this coffee, we could not only support breast cancer research, patient care and education at Princess Margaret Hospital but also support the financial struggle of another group of women engaged in their own fight far off in Peru just seemed like the perfect pairing."

Ms. Heritage is walking for the second year in the Weekend to End Breast Cancer. It takes place Sept. 7-9.

Ms. Heritage will join thousands of women and men who will walk 60 kilometres through the streets of Toronto to raise money .

Ms. Heritage's motivation is simple -- to make breast cancer a thing of the past.

"Seeing children without mothers, families without sisters, husbands without wives is unacceptable," she said.

Ms. Heritage's own mother died from cancer when she was 48 years old. Ms. Heritage was 22.

"My mom never had the opportunity to see her children graduate, attend their weddings, play with her grandchildren. I hope that the money I raise will make it possible for more women to play with their grandchildren."

To purchase your Birds & Beans Peru Cafe Femenino and contribute to the Weekend to End Breast Cancer, visit Global Village at 948 King St. W. in the heart of Westdale Village.

Article found on Dundas Star News

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