Jersey Mike's Aids Fundraiser for Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation

On June 6, all Jersey Mike’s Subs locations in the Chicago area, including the Tinley Park location, will participate in a fundraiser for the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation. 

Customers must present a special coupon on June 6 to have 20 percent of their purchase donated to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation. Customers can choose from any item on the Jersey Mike’s menu.

The coupon can be downloaded at Pulmonary Fibrosis Jersey Mike's Coupon and the Facebook pages for participating stores.  The coupon provides addresses of all 20 participating stores and must be presented at the time of purchase. 

Kathy Petrak, of Plainfield, whose father suffered from pulmonary fibrosis, helped organize the partnership between Jersey Mike’s and the PFF.  Kathy and her father shared a love of Jersey Mike’s Subs and frequently dined at the restaurant in North Carolina where Kathy’s father lived. While her father was in the hospital fighting this devastating lung disease, before he passed away in March 2009, Kathy would deliver Jersey Mike’s Subs to his room for them to enjoy together.

Since losing her father, Kathy has become a strong advocate for pulmonary fibrosis awareness and has created fundraising events to not only honor the memory of her father, but to fight the disease that robbed him of his life.  “We feel strongly that we must educate our community in order to find a cure for this ugly disease,” said Kathy.

Recently, Kathy approached Mark Cross, her local Jersey Mike’s storeowner, to help her create a fundraiser in memory of her father to benefit the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation.  Mark agreed and graciously recruited all 20 Chicago Jersey Mike’s locations to participate as well.

“Jersey Mike’s is not only dedicated to customer service, but also dedicated to giving back,” said Mark.  “We are honored to have the opportunity to participate in this fundraiser, as Kathy and her father were not only loyal customers, they were part of the Jersey Mike’s family.”

All proceeds from the Jersey Mike’s fundraiser will support the PFF and their mission to help find a cure and support those affected by the disease. 

The Jersey Mike’s fundraiser is the second event organized by Kathy Petrak.  Last year, Kathy organized a pulmonary fibrosis awareness night during a Chicago White Sox baseball game.  More than 50 pulmonary fibrosis patients and family members were in attendance at the game.