IHOPs Celebrate National Pancake Day on Feb. 5

IHOP’s ™ National Pancake Day returns on Tuesday, February 5, 2013, when participating local IHOPs celebrate by giving away one free short stack of pancakes to all who dine throughout the day. A much-anticipated event, all proceeds that day benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) National Capital Area Chapter, with the hopes that patrons will make a donation to LLS in lieu of payment for pancakes.

Area IHOPs have set a goal of raising $220,000 for LLS’s mission: to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. In addition to collecting donations on National Pancake Day, the staff and general managers of the 72 stores in the region have been hard at work selling “Beat Cancer” icons since mid-December, which are displayed throughout the restaurants. Icons will continue to be sold up until National Pancake Day, for a suggested donation of $1, $5, or $20.

“The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is thankful to all of the IHOP staff, general managers and owners for their continued support of LLS and our mission,” said Gabrielle Urquhart, National Capital Area Chapter Executive Director. “The dollars raised on National Pancake Day help to fund life-saving research and important patient programs and services. I hope everyone will find time to support IHOP and LLS on February 5 and enjoy a delicious short-stack for a great cause.”

Stores are raising funds in honor of Carson, a seven-year-old leukemia survivor. Diagnosed when he was just three and a half years old, Carson underwent three years of treatment, which was completed on his seventh birthday. Today Carson is in remission and enjoys all the things a normal seven-year-old does – playing with legos, riding his bike, and picking on his big sister. Carson and his class will visit the Falls Church IHOP location on Monday, Feb. 4 for a pancake party to help promote National Pancake Day.

LLS Volunteers will be on-site at all participating local IHOPs to help collect donations and provide diners with information about LLS and its mission.