InterContinental designs pink rooms for breast cancer awareness

The InterContinental Milwaukee hotel launched its Pink Room project in support of breast cancer awareness. Guests can reserve space in either a Pink room with two double beds or one king-sized bed and have $25 from each night stay go towards the ABCD organization.
The rooms, conceived by InterContinental Milwaukee hotel employees affected by breast cancer, include gourmet pink cupcakes, a $20 gift card to CLEAR, the hotel’s cocktail and tapas lounge, and a breast cancer awareness keepsake.
The ABCD, After Breast Cancer Diagnosis, organization is dedicated to helping those who’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer.
“ABCD has such a strong presence in the community here in Milwaukee, so it seemed like a natural fit,” said Tim Smith, general manager of the InterContinental Hotel.
According to Smith, the Hotel wanted to do something to make a year long commitment to breast cancer awareness.
“After I was diagnosed, a friend suggested ABCD and it was then that I felt like someone really understood what I was going through, so I’m thrilled to be able to give back to this organization,” said  Susan Cusatis, Marcus Hotels’ Milwaukee business travel manager and an ABCD mentor.
Cusatis, and InterContinental Milwaukee employees, Bridget Gallagher and Sarah Geitner came up with the initial idea for the project because they all share a personal connection to the mission.
“We’re really excited to support a cause that has affected not only our InterContinental Milwaukee team, but the community overall through the Pink Room project and subsequent donations to ABCD,” said Geitner, InterContinental Milwaukee executive assistant.
Local designer Becky Howley helped in carrying out the breast cancer awareness theme throughout the rooms, and Racine-based Artist Wanakee Pugh was also commissioned to create the project’s artwork.
“Our organization is committed to providing breast cancer patients, their families and friends, free, personalized support during their journey. It is as important as their medical care,” said Ginny Finn, ABCD executive director. “We are deeply grateful to InterContinental Milwaukee and Marcus Hotels and Resorts for supporting ABCD’s service to thousands of people affected by this disease.”
The rooms also feature Pink Computers and access to the Pink Room Blog, where guests of the rooms can share their breast cancer stories of diagnosis, recovery or survival with other guests of the rooms, said Smith.
“The blog is really something that we’re hoping over the course of time becomes more and more powerful,” Smith said. “Guests can stay here next week, share their story and three months later come back and read other people’s stories.”
The blog website will also track how much money the rooms have generated for the ABCD cause, Smith said.
According to Smith, the rooms will remain a part of the hotel on a year round basis and are expected to generate anywhere from $8,000 to $10,000 per year for the organization. Each room will cost around $15 more than a traditional room at the hotel, but will include the amenity basket worth $30 or more, Smith said. 
Reservations for the Pink Room can be made by calling 1-877-510-PINK (7465) or booked online at www.intercontinentalmilwaukee.com.