Take a stand and be a part of the fight against cancer

MasterCard Kicks-Off the 2013 "Dig In & Do Good" Program

This summer, MasterCard is once again supporting Stand Up to Cancer (SU2C) by offering the restaurant community and their patrons an opportunity to help raise money in support of cancer research through its national marketing campaign "Dig In and Do Good."

Louisiana Restaurant Association members are encouraged to Dig In & Do Good! Taking part in the program is easy and rewarding, as all of us have a story of how cancer has impacted our family, friends or co-workers.

SU2C, a program of the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF), a 501(c)3 charitable organization, raises funds to accelerate cancer research that can get new therapies to patients quickly and save lives. The program celebrated its 5th anniversary and during that time has launched 40 ground breaking clinical trials.

From July 12 to September 28, 2013, when MasterCard cardholders spend $10 or more for a meal on their card, MasterCard will donate up to $4 million to Stand Up to Cancer--one precious cent at a time.

It's easy for your restaurant to participate in this program--simply promote the program and MasterCard makes the donation! Digital and social media materials are available online at no cost. In addition to this, you can use any of the print materials by downloading and printing them yourself. To get your materials, click here.

Credit card rule changes: More to surcharging than meets the eye

Visa and MasterCard are sounding the alarm that America’s businesses are going to start tacking on millions of dollars in surcharges in coming months for guests who pay by credit card.

But the National Restaurant Association thinks that’s a tactic to draw attention away from the real issue: The fact that card companies have a stranglehold on merchant swipe fees and don’t want American consumers to know that they’re already paying billions of dollars in hidden swipe fees. These are fees that America’s small businesses can’t control or negotiate, and that keep climbing year after year.

In a narrow-margin business like restaurants, every penny counts. America’s nearly 1 million operators do their best every day to keep prices low and value high for their guests.

Few restaurant guests know that card fees are one of the five fastest-growing expenses for restaurants, even as technology brings down the costs of processing. These costs get passed along to everyone who dines at a restaurant.

The NRA hasn't seen signs that many restaurants are looking at surcharges in the wake of recent rule changes from Visa and MasterCard allowing such charges. (But if you’re a restaurateur thinking about surcharges, here’s a caution: The card companies’ new rules that took effect Jan. 27 are complicated. Know the fine print before you move forward.)

MasterCard and Stand Up to Cancer to Launch “Dine and Be Generous”

The Showtime smash hit “The Big C” with Golden Globe award-winning actress Laura Linney starring as Cathy Jamison, portrays a suburban housewife who, in the first episode, is diagnosed with terminal melanoma.  The show has been described as groundbreaking and strays far from what you would expect of a cancer-themed series.


The Big C on Showtime explores
the life of a suburban housewife
diagnosed with terminal melanoma

The black comedy isn’t all jokes, but it delivers lines that capture the severity, uncertainty, hope and finality of cancer. “I don’t wanna feel better, I want to be better,” and “Why do they always have pictures of us looking out windows? Are they waiting for us to jump?”

We can all think of someone we know that has had cancer or even lost someone to cancer. A spouse, co-worker, parent and yes, even a child can be among those stricken with any of the more than 100 types of cancer, which may prove to be life- threatening, pose considerable medical treatments and wreak havoc on the emotional well-being of the individual, their family and friends.

The Louisiana Restaurant Association community has been affected by cancer –some of our members have recovered and sadly, some have passed on. As restaurateurs, your establishments are the cornerstones of your communities and you no doubt encounter cancer daily, whether you realize it or not.

Cancer claims the lives of 1,500 people in America every day. One in two men and one in three women will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime.

Teaming up once again, MasterCard and Stand Up to Cancer (SU2C) will kick off “Dine and Be Generous,” a national marketing campaign, July 10 to Sept. 28, 2012. The campaign is designed to raise funds for SU2C, a program of the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF), a 501(c)3 that raises funds to accelerate the pace of groundbreaking translational research that can get new therapies to patients quickly and save lives.

Hollywood actresses Salma Hayek and
Jennifer Garner "Stand Up to Cancer."

Restaurateurs in Louisiana can join the cause by supporting and promoting the program in their establishments using MasterCard-developed tools. When U.S. MasterCard cardholders use their card to pay for their bill more than $10, MasterCard will make an automatic one-cent donation to Stand Up to Cancer—up to $4 million.

For dine in, takeout or delivery orders, customers using their MasterCard can participate in this cause at participating restaurants.

There are many great causes, but finding a cure for cancer grows more important every day you are alive. Will you Stand Up to Cancer?