Stop & Stop donated $1 million to pediatric cancer research at Memorial Sloan Kettering, with Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop recognized local three-year-old Anjali Minocha at their location in the Heights.
By Daniel Ulloa/Hudson County View
Stop & Shop sought to honor Minocha, a patient and the ambassador for their 21st annual Help Cure Childhood Cancer campaign.
Anjali presented the New York City-based Memorial Sloan Kettering hospital with a $1 million check from the donations collected so far during this year’s campaign.
Stop & Shop External Communications Manager Stephanie Shuman explained that they raise money to fund research “which helps wonderful children like Anjali, our very own Jersey City resident, fight cancer and lead happy and healthy lives.”
“For 21 years, Stop & Shop has been in partnership with the Department of Pediatrics at Memorial Sloan Kettering cancer center to support pediatric cancer research. So far, they have raised $27 million,” said Vice Chair of Academic Affairs and Chief of the Pediatric Sarcoma Service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Dr. Paul Meyers.
“Every penny of that money has gone straight into research to improve the treatment of kids with cancer so we can say one day your child will be well to parents of 100 percent of children diagnosed with cancer,” he added.
He noted it is an ongoing campaign at Stop & Shop for two more weeks and they are grateful for their continued support.
“It’s not bad for a first installment,” Meyers joked when presented with a novelty-sized $1 million check.
“When you got to the national government for support, they say show your preliminary results, show us something. How do you get preliminary results? You need philanthropic support, he continued.
“We need the money to do the most cutting edge, most advanced possible research, and when we have those results, we go to the NCI, the National Cancer Institute. The goal is to get something that will impact the lives of children.”
Fulop noted he lived nearby and sometimes shopped at the location they convened the presser at, 232 Central Ave.
“I certainly appreciate that it’s a community effort of small donations that got us here today. Any parent knows you’re only as happy as your least happy child,” he said.
“I have children the exact same age, I can’t imagine how difficult it was. This is everything that is great about Jersey City’s community.”
He noted Memorial Sloan Kettering helped save Anjali’s life and that her cancer is now in remission.
As the campaign ambassador, Anjali has been featured on Stop & Shop posters highlighting the campaign where people can donate to the cause while shopping.
Stop & Shop customers can donate $1, $3 or $5 at checkout, with 100% of the going to the Pediatrics Department at MSK.
“Everyone in the community that made this possible. It takes a village and the village is here. They’ve been helping out and donating. This check represents hope and that’s what’s been given,” added Ward D Councilman Yousef Saleh.
Additionally, Fulop and Shuman addressed the statewide bag ban that starts tomorrow.
“It will have a big impact. We all have to do our part. I think people are accustomed to the fact that there’s a change. People will be frustrated, but it’s for the greater good,” the mayor said.
Shuman said they are ready to comply with the ban, with bags on reserve customers can purchase for between 50 cents to $2.50 a piece.
“You have to figure your new way of shopping. There’s always an adjustment period.”
