Children’s Health Update Help End Childhood Cancer

Cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in children and adolescents, according to the National Cancer Institute, yet funding for pediatric cancer research falls far below that for adult cancers. You can help stop this disease in its tracks—in a surprisingly simple way.

During Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month in September, Stripes Convenience Stores will launch Stripes Stores Celebrates Tomorrows, a multistate campaign aimed at raising more than $1 million in one month for The University of Texas MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital.
For every dollar donation at more than 650 store locations in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico, customers will receive a point-of-purchase mobile to sign and display, as well as double coupons for free in-store items. In addition, the James B. and Lois R. Archer Charitable Foundation will match all donations dollar for dollar.

“Every dollar counts when saving the lives of children with cancer,” says Eugenie S. Kleinerman, M.D., head of MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital. “Since opening our doors in 1941, MD Anderson has saved countless lives, cared for children with grave diagnoses and worked to ease the burden of cancer. But cure rates in many pediatric cancers have not improved in more than 20 years. This campaign will help change how kids are treated for numerous cancers, while maintaining their daily routine through education and recreation programs.”

One hundred percent of donations from the Stripes Stores Celebrates Tomorrows campaign will go directly to helping kids with cancer. This includes research to improve cancer treatments for patients nationwide and MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital’s Pediatric Education and Creative Arts Program, one of only two privately accredited K-12 hospital schools in the nation.

“Cancer disrupts the lives of every member of a pediatric patient’s family,” Kleinerman says. “So treatment needs to address the disease and help kids and families maintain a sense of normalcy.”

Katarina, age 15, was a straight-A student when she was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma in 2013. The school at MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital offered her a retreat from her cancer and the help she needed to maintain her strong grades. Now in remission, she dreams of becoming an oncologist.

“Children’s health is central to Stripes’ pillars of giving and they recognize cancer touches far too many of our children,” Kleinerman says. “We are enthusiastic about this opportunity to align with Stripes and help children fighting cancer celebrate many tomorrows.”

For 25 years, MD Anderson has ranked as one of the nation’s top two cancer centers in U.S. News & World Report’s annual “Best Hospitals” survey. MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital brings hope to families, offering the most advanced childhood cancer treatments in a kid-friendly environment.