For the fourth year, Riedel Crystal of America will produce a limited edition pink glass during October to benefit Living Beyond Breast Cancer.

The 2008 Pink CrescendO glass set will be featured at LBBC’s annual gala, the Butterfly Ball, on Saturday, September 27, when Riedel CEO Maximilian Riedel accepts the Corporate Leadership Award on behalf of his company.

"This honor means a lot to me," Mr. Riedel said. "It motivates me to continue, and to find different ways and different venues to continue to give back."

Riedel Crystal Supports LBBC

LBBC is presenting Riedel with the Corporate Leadership Award for the company’s ongoing and generous support of our programs for women affected by breast cancer. Limited edition Riedel glasses sold over the past three years have raised nearly $180,000 for LBBC.

In 2005, Mr. Riedel began searching for a nonprofit partner for his company’s philanthropic endeavors. The mother of a close friend had recently completed treatment for breast cancer, and Mr. Riedel saw the impact the disease had on the family.

"It made me want to do whatever I could help those who suffer," Mr. Riedel said. "Helping people with breast cancer became my personal position, and a company position."

Mr. Riedel chose LBBC to be a recipient after friends in the United States told him about our programs and services.

"After people have been healed, they must live with the fear of the cancer coming back for the rest of their lives," Mr. Riedel said. "LBBC made so much sense to work with because, if you are healed, why not continue on with your life?"

Creating the ‘O’ Design

An artist and entrepreneur, Mr. Riedel designed several museum-quality, limited edition glasses in the company’s ‘O’ series to benefit LBBC. The 2008 set, which retails at $70, contains four Pink ‘O’ Chardonnay/Viognier glasses in delicate shades of pink, Mr. Riedel’s favorite color.

"Color in glass can jeopardize the look of the wine," Mr. Riedel explained. "It must be subtle. I thought adding a touch of color would make it fun."

Each glass in the set has a slight color variation, making it easy for family members or guests to know which glass is theirs. The design is appropriate for wine, juices, iced tea or energy drinks. The glasses are light, well balanced and fit comfortably in the hand—plus they can be put through the dishwasher.

"I think this may be our biggest year yet in raising funds to fight breast cancer." Mr. Riedel said. "I know that this program has increased awareness of this deadly disease and the toll it takes on women and families."

Learn more about Riedel’s Pink CrescendO glass set.