For Immediate Release: September 13, 2009

Contact: Brian Reardon (217) 544-6464, ext. 44306 brian.reardon@st-johns.org

Sabattini Garden Center partners with St. John’s to raise funds for cancer research

Sam Sabattini of Sabattini Garden Center in Springfield has teamed up with the Friends of St. John's Hospital and St. John’s Hospital Cancer Institute to raise funds for cancer research and treatment.

From Saturday, September 12 through Thursday, October 15, Sabattini Garden Center will donate $1 for every $5 in merchandise sold. All proceeds will benefit St. John’s Hospital Cancer Institute.

“St. John’s Hospital is so grateful to Mr. Sabattini for his generosity and to his commitment to cancer research and treatment. We are pleased to partner with him to fight cancer in central Illinois,” said Denise Pope, director of development at St. John’s Hospital.

Sabattini has dedicated his life to cancer awareness and research. His family has endured multiple occurrences of cancer, with five resulting in death. “This is a cause I really care about,” Sabattini said. “It has affected me personally and so I want to support awareness and research so I can help other people.”

In addition to his pink house and freshly painted cancer awareness signs, Sabattini has lined 1½ miles of road leading to Sabattini Garden Center with pink ribbons. Sabattini Garden Center is located at 112 W. Hoechester Rd, which is one mile off of the 1-55 Toronto Road Exit (Exit 90).