NEW YORK, NY — Beginning Friday, May 12th, Stop & Shop customers will have the opportunity to help support pediatric cancer research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) by purchasing discount coupons at checkout. Customers will receive $10 worth of coupons for just a $2 donation, and a new series of coupons will be made available every two weeks during the eight week fundraising effort. The coupons will be available at all area Stop & Shop stores.
Proceeds will benefit Memorial Sloan Kettering’s Department of Pediatrics. Since 2001, Stop & Shop has raised almost $70 million for charitable causes, with $17.9 million given to support pediatric cancer research at MSK. This year, the company goal is to raise another $1.3 million on behalf of Memorial Sloan Kettering’s Department of Pediatrics.
“This campaign with Memorial Sloan Kettering will help ensure families get the best care possible for their children,” said Bob Yager, Senior Vice President and Division Lead of Stop & Shop New York Metro Division. “We are so appreciative of the generosity of each of our customers who continue to make this campaign a success. By working together, we are proud that Stop & Shop and our customers can make a difference.”
“The support Stop & Shop has provided us for the past sixteen years has allowed us to continue to fulfill our mission. We hope to not only cure childhood cancer, but to send our patients back to their homes, schools, families and friends in exactly the condition they were in before this devastating diagnosis,” says Paul A. Meyers, MD, Vice Chair of MSK Department of Pediatrics. “The hard work each Stop & Shop employee puts into this campaign truly pays off. We see better outcomes for kids and for their families. On behalf of the physicians and scientists who work tirelessly to conquer childhood cancers – and the children who will benefit now and in the future – I extend our deepest gratitude.”
Esmeralda (“Ezzy”) of Uniondale, NY was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), a cancer of the bone marrow and blood, in the spring of 2015. Ezzy, who is twelve, was treated with a life-saving new therapy that was made possible through the generous support of philanthropic donors like Stop & Shop. “I was very scared when the doctors told me that I had cancer, I did not know if there was any hope for recovery. I am so grateful that my mom got me to the right doctors and I now know that because of the care I received at Memorial Sloan Kettering that I will get better.” Originally from El Salvador, Ezzy is homeschooled. She loves to draw, paint, ride her scooter and play with her stuffed animals. Her favorite subject is science and she hopes to pursue a career as a pediatrician.
Twelve-year old Hannah lives in Ringwood, NJ with her parents and three older brothers. She began to experience back pain in the spring of 2016. After weeks of discomfort, her mom took her to see an orthopedist, who sent her for X-rays and a CT scan. By Memorial Day, doctors at MSK had diagnosed her with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a cancerous tumor that grows in the bones or the soft tissue around the bones. “Hannah never doubted that she would get better,” says her mother Cathleen. “Her positive attitude not only inspired all the members of our family but even the medical staff at MSK.” The residents of Ringwood have been very supportive of Hannah and her family. “People all across town are wearing yellow bracelets which proclaim that no one fights alone,” said her father Alan. “The support she has received from classmates, teachers and even strangers has been remarkable.” Hannah is an accomplished soccer player and loves to swim. When not busy with sports, Hannah enjoys baking and decorating cakes and cupcakes. Hannah says she hopes to one day become a nurse practitioner, and dedicate her career to helping kids.
Last Mother’s Day, twelve-year old Connor was playing in the backyard of his family’s Clark, NJ home when he fell and injured his knee. “I told my Mom it really hurt, and she said it was just a bad bruise, but the pain never went away,” says Connor. He was subsequently diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a cancerous tumor of the bone. Connor underwent a knee and partial femur replacement and is undergoing physical therapy so that he can relearn to walk, and hopes to soon be walking without a cane. “The Carl H. Kumph Middle School faculty and student body have been so supportive,” says his mother Lisa. “The Teachers Association raised money to benefit him, and his classmates held a fundraiser in his honor to benefit MSK. Three teachers from the school home tutored him so that he could keep up with his studies.” Connor enjoys martial arts, video games and drawing. He looks forward to trying new hobbies like golf and archery.
Jonathan lives in Highland Mills, NY with his mom and dad, Nisse and Shinu. In August of 2015, he underwent what was supposed to be a routine tonsillectomy, but a week later was diagnosed with T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), and is currently receiving maintenance chemotherapy treatments. “Friends and family have been there for us from the very beginning. They have not only helped us financially, but have prayed with us,” says Jonathan’s mother Nisse. “Our small church raised over $10,000 to assist us and White Plains Middle School, where I am a special education teacher, held kickball games, and sold magnets and bracelets in support of Jonathan. We never felt that we or Jonathan were in this alone.” Jonathan loves everything about science and technology. He and his family are planning a trip to Pearl Harbor in Hawaii this summer so that he can see all of the planes, boats and helicopters stationed there. He spends hours making and building the most advanced and intricate Lego sets he can find. Jonathan also enjoys baseball and football. He just rejoined his little league team for the spring season.