Quincy-based Stop & Shop Joins ACS to Fight Breast Cancer

This was the year that Elizabeth “Liz” Farina, 45, a resident of Halifax, Mass., “beat the heck out of” breast cancer, she said.

“You know, 20 years ago, this would have been a death sentence. Now I have some battle scars. Maybe in another 20 years, this will only mean a little incision,” said Farina, an associate at Stop & Shop based in Quincy, Mass. This fall Farina is one of the store’s associates featured in an in-store campaign sharing her breast cancer journey. She said she’s proud to bring hope to others.

“The journey is very personal, but some things are universal.”

Farina first felt symptoms in 2014 while living near her hometown of Monroe, Conn. Her doctors monitored what they believed to be cysts, but then the pain began waking her up at night. After her tissue was biopsied following a lumpectomy, she was diagnosed invasive mucinous carcinoma.

“The American Cancer Society was my first go-to resource because when you’re diagnosed you’ve got thousands of questions, and ACS was almost like an encyclopedia,” said Farina, who received support and guidance at cancer.org and by calling 800-227-2345.

The years that followed were “a crazy, cancer rollercoaster,” she said. A lumpectomy and lymph node dissection. Rounds aggressive chemotherapy. Losing her hair. Another lumpectomy and lymph node dissection. Radiation. A mastectomy of her left breast. A hysterectomy (a preventative measure since her type of cancer was estrogen-fed.) A mastectomy of her right breast (after pre-cancerous cells were found there.) A breast DIEP flap reconstruction. And soon, contouring.

Farina began working with Stop & Shop in 1994, and though she’s worked in different roles and states, all in the supermarket industry, she feels “back at home” working with Stop & Shop again since 2018. “I felt I grew up with Stop & Shop,” she said. “My bosses were more than supportive for my most recent surgery.”

She plans to walk with Stop & Shop teammates in her first Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event in Providence, R.I., on Oct. 17. She is also encouraging her nieces who are 17 and 21, and anyone she speaks with, to get screened for cancer and to be their own health advocate. “Now that my journey is on the other side, I feel like it’s time to start giving back,” she said.

Stop & Shop is once again joining the American Cancer Society’s movement to celebrate breast cancer survivors and thrivers and fund the future to fight this disease. For over a decade, Stop & Shop stores across New York City, New Jersey, and Long Island have taken up this fight, and this year, the campaign has grown to include all 400+ stores across the Stop & Shop footprint. Shoppers will have the option of donating $1, $3, or $5 at checkout or rounding up their total at self-checkout with 100% of the donation going to the American Cancer Society.

The campaign has become personal to Stop & Shop, and this year, their in-store campaign signage features their associates telling their breast cancer journeys – some facing the battle personally and others having their families impacted by the disease. No matter the story or store, all are committed to the fight.

To bring their in-store fundraising to life, Stop & Shop will be the Flagship Sponsor for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer movement in Jones Beach NY; Riverhead NY; Point Pleasant NJ; Fairfield County CT; and Providence RI. Stop & Shop will activate at these events, supporting survivors and their local communities.

“Stop & Shop is committed in our effort to support the American Cancer Society and the fight against breast cancer,” says Jennifer Brogan, Director of External Communications and Community Relations for Stop & Shop. “Our annual campaign does more than just raise funds; it helps the American Cancer Society save lives, and this year we hope to have a greater impact as our fundraising campaign extends to all 400+ Stop & Shop stores across NY, NJ, CT, MA and RI.”

“For over a decade, Stop & Shop has been a tremendous partner in the American Cancer Society’s fight to end breast cancer,” said Anthony Marino, executive vice president of the American Cancer Society. ““We are thrilled they have decided to expand their support to their entire footprint, tripling the size of the promotion, representing a hugely exciting opportunity for the American Cancer Society and the patients we serve. We envision a future where our children will no longer live with the threat of breast cancer, and thanks to partners like Stop & Shop, their passionate associates, and their generous customers, we are continuing to push towards that future.”

According to the American Cancer Society Cancer Facts & Figures 2020, an estimated 279,100 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and an estimated 42,690 will die from the disease this year. The Society is dedicated to ending breast cancer through research, education, advocacy, and support for patients and their families.

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The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of 1.5 million volunteers dedicated to saving lives, celebrating lives, and leading the fight for a world without cancer. From breakthrough research, to free lodging near treatment, a 24/7/365 live helpline, free rides to treatment, and convening powerful activists to create awareness and impact, the Society is the only organization attacking cancer from every angle. For more information go to

A neighborhood grocer for more than 100 years, today’s Stop & Shop is refreshed, reenergized and inspired, delivering new conveniences for customers. Committed to helping its communities enjoy better food and better lives, Stop & Shop has a longstanding history of giving back to the neighborhoods it serves with a focus on fighting hunger and pediatric cancer care and research. The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company LLC is an Ahold Delhaize USA Company and employs nearly 60,000 associates and operates over 400 stores throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York and New Jersey. To learn more about Stop & Shop, visit stopandshop.com.