Avacab Taxi’s Inc. is giving Airdrie residents a reason to ride in its pink cabs.
For every trip, the taxi company donates 50 cents out of the $3 service fee to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.
“I wanted to do this because breast cancer has drastically effected my family,” said Mohamed Benini, owner of Avacab Taxi’s Inc.
“It is a way for our company to give back. It gets Airdrie residents donating to the cause just by going about their daily routine. They are indirectly donating to the Foundation just by taking our cabs.”
Benini lost his grandmother and two aunts to breast cancer during the past 10 years.
“This money goes to research so no one else has to lose family members to this disease,” he said.
“That’s what we all hope for. My mother is still here and I hope if she ever gets it, there will be a cure.”
He said his family members were not in Canada when they passed away and he is glad this country has a foundation to raise money and research the disease.
“When they were diagnosed, it was like a death sentence because they couldn’t get the help they needed,” he said. “In Canada, it is different and I wanted to do something to support the Foundation.”
Avacab has four taxis on the road in Airdrie and has been operating in the city for eight years.
The company started the campaign two months ago and has already donated about $700 to the cause.
“Most people look at the cabs and think we must really like pink and some even find it odd,” said Benini.
“We wanted to get the word out and let everyone know there is more to it than painting the cabs pink.”
Benini said all of his drivers jumped on board as soon as he pitched the idea.
“They really wanted to give to the cause,” he said. “Drivers could have told me ‘no’ but they all backed me up when I asked.”
