Spicy Pickle fast casual restaurants today announced it will be holding a fundraiser on Friday, July 18, to benefit the Rocky Mountain Chapter of The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) and its Hike For Discovery program. Throughout the day on July 18, 12 percent of all sales generated by Boulder’s two Spicy Pickle restaurants at 2660 Pearl Street and 2520 Broadway will be added to the funds raised by Boulder area hikers taking part in the chapter’s Hike For Discovery hike in the Rocky Mountain National Park on September 6.

Leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma are cancers that originate in the bone marrow or lymphatic tissues. While an estimated 138,530 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma in 2008, according to LLS data, today’s patients experience a five-year survival rate two to four times higher than those from the early 1960’s. Much of this improvement is due directly to the research and education funded by the LLS.

“The Leukemia and Lymphoma society is dedicated not only to finding cures for all forms of blood cancers, but also to improving the quality of life for patients and their families. This is a world-class organization whose work directly benefits people in the greater Boulder area,” says Dave McClintock, Spicy Pickle’s Boulder franchisee. “We’re proud to designate July 18 as our day of ‘Good Eats for a Good Cause,’ and hope that many, many people will stop in for lunch or dinner at our two Boulder Spicy Pickle restaurants to encourage those hikers taking part in Hike For Discovery.”

Hike For Discovery is an LLS-sanctioned program that turns the outdoors into a healthy and rewarding way to raise funds for blood cancer research. Hike For Discovery participants receive 14-18 weeks of professional training and everything they need to make their hike fun and successful. Hikers train in honor of a local blood cancer patient; in support of those taking part, LLS provides transportation to and from the event, as well as lodging and social events during the hiker’s stay.

“Internationally, we are winning the fight against blood cancer—but a lot remains to be done. Children in our area battle the ravages of blood cancer every day,” says Jeff Saffer, a cancer researcher who is taking part in the Hike For Discovery event on September 6. “Hike For Discovery means a lot to Boulder’s avid hikers, as well as others who care about those affected by leukemia and lymphoma. With the help of businesses like Spicy Pickle, we know Hike For Discovery will continue to be a huge success.”

The Boulder area Spicy Pickle’s at 2660 Pearl Street and 2520 Broadway will be open Friday, July 18, from 10:30 AM until 8:00 PM. Catering orders will be included in the “Hike For Discovery” fundraiser.