In support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, several Fairmont hotels in the Pacific Northwest are holding "Pink Ribbon Tea." Pink Ribbon Tea promises Fairmont's grand tradition of afternoon tea with a pink twist and charity component - select tea treats will be frosted pink and partial proceeds from each afternoon tea will go to a local breast cancer foundation. Several Fairmont spas are also getting tickled pink this October with treatments that support the cause.
The concept of Pink Ribbon Tea came to Fairmont from Joey Holt. Holt was manager of The Fairmont Store in The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver and suffered from breast cancer for over two years before succumbing in November of 2010. Each year in October, she saw a gathering of runners and walkers for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation's CIBC Run for the Cure.
She recognized that there are some people who could not directly participate but who want to contribute to the cause in some way. Her vision was to hold an annual Pink Ribbon Tea in various locations across Canada in order to raise money for breast cancer research in a fun and social way.
The gathering after Holt's funeral in 2010 was really the inaugural Pink Ribbon Tea as The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver baked 300 pink-iced tea cakes for the reception and arranged them on tables in the form of CBCF's pink ribbon emblem.
Joey's husband, Gerald Holt, has been working with Fairmont Hotels to create Pink Ribbon Tea in her memory. In a release, Gerald said "Joey originally wanted to hold Pink Ribbon Tea for those who could not participate in the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation's CIBC Run for the Cure. Her vision saw people across Canada getting together to enjoy the tradition of afternoon tea together, in support of breast cancer research.
It's wonderful to see so many Fairmont Hotels taking part in this program and we hope this idea continues to grow over the years."
Private Pink Ribbon Teas are also being held in West Vancouver, Langley and South Surrey with all proceeds and donations going to CBCF for breast cancer research. Visit www. pinkribbontea.com for more information.
