Giant Food launches 16th annual pediatric cancer fundraiser
Giant Food is looking to do its part in helping support pediatric cancer research initiatives.
To do so, the Landover, Md.-based retailer is launching its 16th annual fundraising program, with the goal to raise at least $2 million for Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center and The Children’s Cancer Foundation.
“Every year we are honored to support the Johns Hopkins Pediatric Oncology Department and The Children's Cancer Foundation in furthering their pediatric cancer research efforts,” Ira Kress, president of Giant Food said. “The campaign has been a success each year, thanks to our amazing customers and store associates. The Giant family is excited to once again join with our community to raise awareness and funds to support these two local organizations which do an outstanding job researching and treating childhood cancer.”
Running for eight weeks from Aug. 14 to Oct. 9, Giant Food will look to raise funds from the sale of $5 ‘Thank You’ cards from its ambassadors.
“We are humbled that Giant Food again included CCF in this year's campaign, as they have since it launched 16 years ago,” The Children’s Cancer Foundation president, Tasha Museles said. “The generosity of Giant Food and their shoppers and associates has translated to years of meaningful programs improving the lives of brave local children as well as innovative research that puts more cures within reach. We applaud Giant's efforts to keep the focus on children's cancer research and awareness.”
For this year, three young local cancer fighters will serve as Giant Food Pediatric Cancer ambassadors. They include:
- Riley Marshall, a 14-year-old dancer who was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor at the age of 9. After two years of chemo, Riley has been in remission for three years and has taken up speaking engagement to help share her story;
- Andrew Devin Oberle, a 10-year-old baseball athlete who will officially be declared a cancer survivor in November 2021. He has been battling B-cell Leukemia cancer from the age of four; and
- Simeon Schlaggar, a14-year-old who began a three-year-long chemotherapy regimen after a T-cell ALL diagnoses at the age of 10. Since July 2019, when his port was removed, Simeon has been working on regaining his strength and preparing for the start of high school.
“This fundraiser is critical for providing our team with the resources that they need to continue research and develop improved treatments for children's cancers,” Donald Small, director of pediatric oncology at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center said. “The program helps us offer the children the expert care that they need, and we are thrilled to partner with Giant each year as they stand behind our ongoing efforts.”