STAFF REPORTS

DENVER, NC - Larry Morris is making a daily difference. The owner of the Denver and Cornelius, NC Dilworth coffee shops decided a year ago that he wanted to call attention to the very illness that claimed his mother's life years ago. After meeting with the Susan G. Komen foundation, he had a specific travel mug designed with the Passionately Pink for the Cure logo. All proceeds from the sale of the tumblers will go to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

"My hope is to create awareness for a disease that can be eliminated in my lifetime,” said Morris. If our customers are using these tumblers daily as they commute to work, then it creates awareness all year long. Not just during the month of October, which is breast cancer awareness month"

The reason for his passion is very personal. In 1989, Larry's mother, Gloria Morris, was diagnosed with breast cancer after a routine mammogram. She dealt with chemo treatments from 1989 & 1992. She was cancer free until 2001 when it was discovered that the cancer had moved into her bones. She fought again until 2004 when she finally lost the battle with breast cancer.

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"My mother never complained about her cancer, said Larry. "She felt her blessings far outweighed her personal problems. My mother is my hero. She set the pattern for the person I am today. This cup is not just about honoring my mom. It is to honor all the courageous women who have fought the battle of this dreadful disease and have passed on. And it is for those who are fighting this disease daily."

Currently, 1 in 8 women will be affected by breast cancer. However, there are 2.5 million survivors, which is the largest group of cancer survivors in the country. And 75% of the net proceeds raised locally stay in the Charlotte region.

Local businesses are helping too. Once a customers purchases the tumbler, their name is entered into a specific drawing where they can earn a gift certificate to a local business. LKN 24 hour Athletic Club Fitness is contributing one free session of personal training for everyone who purchase a mug. Grand prize winner will receive a Super Bowl catering for 20 people with all the ribs and sides. "I have been overwhelmed by the local business support I have received for this fund raiser", said Morris. "This is so personal to my family and it means so much to have the community get behind this important cause. We hope to raise $15,000.00 for the Susan G. Komen foundation."

The tumblers can only be purchased at the Dilworth Coffee Shops located in Denver, NC (Waterside Crossing next to Harris Teeter) and Cornelius, NC located on Highway 115 just north of Home Depot and Target Shopping center.