‘Burgers for Barbara’s Friends’ will raise money to provide lifesaving cancer care at Golisano Children’s Hospital
May 30, 2023 – Mel’s Diner is offering a way for patrons to show support for children with cancer by hosting Burgers for Barbara’s Friends. On June 8, which is also National Best Friends Day, Mel’s Diner restaurants in Southwest Florida will donate 50% from the sale of four different burgers on the menu to Barbara’s Friends, the cancer fund for Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida.
The fundraiser will help ensure that programs and services are available for local children diagnosed with cancer at the hospital. Cancer support includes assisting with the cost of treatment, medications, mental health counseling, therapies and the addition of specialty services like pediatric neurosurgery for children with brain cancer — saving families the anxiety and expense of transporting a critically ill child to Tampa or Miami.
Participating Mel’s Diner locations include:
- Mel’s Diner Fort Myers – 4820 S Cleveland Ave, Fort Myers, FL 33907
- Mel’s Diner Cape Coral – 1331 Pine Island Rd NE, Cape Coral, FL 33909
- Mel’s Diner Golden Gate – 12035 Collier Blvd, Naples, FL 34116
- Mel’s Diner Naples – 3650 Tamiami Trail N, Naples, FL 34103
For 18 years, Mel’s Diner held the Helping Kids with Cancer Radiothon, donating nearly $1 million through the years to Barbara’s Friends. The event is no longer being held, and another fundraiser for Barbara’s Friends, Clips for Cancer, was cut short in 2022 by Hurricane Ian.
“We are so grateful to Mel’s Diner for stepping up again to support children with cancer with this promotion,” said Amy Frith, Sr. Director, Barbara’s Friends – Children’s Cancer Fund
for Golisano Children’s Hospital. “What better way to be a best friend to a kid with cancer then to enjoy a tasty burger with your friends and give back at the same time.”
The Barbara’s Friends fund has a 28-year history of helping kids with cancer and life-threatening blood disorders, ensuring that no child is denied treatment due to a family’s inability to pay. Barbara’s Friends raises roughly one million dollars annually to support lifesaving services, programs and equipment for the young patients at Golisano Children’s Hospital to ensure no family has to face a cancer diagnosis alone. Fundraisers like these are key to the success of the program.
About Barbara’s Friends – Helping Kids with Cancer at Golisano Children’s Hospital
Established in 1995, Barbara’s Friends provides equipment, staffing and services to support lifesaving cancer care for children from across Southwest Florida at Golisano Children’s Hospital. The Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Program is the only program of its kind in Southwest Florida and has served over 10,000 patients since opening. No child is denied treatment or turned away due to their family’s inability to pay for care. For more information about Barbara’s Friends fund and supporting child patients in your community, please call Lee Health Foundation at 239-343-6950 or visit BarbarasFriends.org.
About Golisano Children’s Hospital
Established in 1994, Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida has been named a “Top Hospital” by The Leapfrog Group for the past three years. It is the only recognized children’s hospital between Tampa and Miami. Lee Health opened the new 128-bed Golisano Children’s Hospital in May 2017, relocating the children’s hospital from the adjacent HealthPark Medical Center. It includes comprehensive pediatric services including a 24-hour pediatric emergency department, hematology-oncology unit, milk lab, Regional Perinatal Intensive Care Center, and Level II and Level III NICU with 64 private rooms. Golisano Children’s Hospital is proud to have been named Soliant’s 2018 Most Beautiful Hospital in the U.S., a recognition determined by popular vote. For more information, visit GolisanoChildrensSWFL.org.
