Fair Haven Girl The Face Of Stop & Shop Pediatric Cancer Campaign

FAIR HAVEN, NJ — A young Fair Haven girl is one of the most enthusiastic supporters of Stop & Shop’s annual Help Cure Childhood Cancer Campaign that kicked off March 3, the company says.

The campaign raises money to support pediatric cancer research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. The campaign, which is celebrating its 22nd anniversary, has raised more than $28 million, the company says.

And now Fair Haven's Freja, age 9, is one of its ambassadors and you will see her picture on signage promoting the cause at area stores.

The then-six-year-old was diagnosed with leukemia in 2019, and two-and-a-half years later is winning the battle against cancer, a spokesperson for the company said.

While Freja's family does not want their last name used, they do report that even at her young age Freja was determined not to let the diagnosis change her life. She took up surfing and is now a second-grader.

Freja is also a giver, the company notes. This past summer, she raised $300 for Memorial Sloan Kettering by beading bracelets and selling them at the beach. During the holiday season, she also organized a toy drive for the kids at Memorial Sloan Kettering.

These actions exemplify the Help Cure Childhood Cancer Campaign for which Freja has been chosen as an ambassador, a company spokesperson said.

The annual Help Cure Childhood Cancer campaign in on now through April 2, and Stop & Shop customers in the tri-state area will be able to support MSK Kids, the pediatric program at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

The company's partnership with MSK Kids began more than two decades ago. It has supported numerous initiatives not only impacting children and families treated at MSK Kids, but also across the globe through development of cell-based therapies and other innovative, life-saving treatments, the company notes.

Stop & Shop’s Help Cure Childhood Cancer campaign will run in all New York, New Jersey and Southern Connecticut stores and shoppers can donate at checkout by rounding up their total to the nearest dollar or by donating an additional $1, $3, or $5, with 100 percent of proceeds benefiting MSK Kids.

One of the most recognizable aspects of the campaign is the in-store signage that highlights patient ambassadors - local children ages 3 to 15 who are being or have been treated at MSK Kids and have benefited from donations from companies like Stop & Shop, the company says.

In addition to Freja, a Cortlandt Manor, N.Y., girl is also an ambassador.

“Every year, we look forward to our customers’ and associates' participation in helping us raise funds for pediatric cancer research and care,” said Stop & Shop President, Gordon Reid. “Helping in the fight against pediatric cancer is a key pillar of giving for Stop & Shop, and we take immense pride in supporting the life changing work at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.”

MSK Kids is dedicated to all children, young adults, and families facing childhood cancer. With specialized expertise and care focused on the individual child, more families turn to MSK Kids for cancer care than any other hospital in the United States, according to Stop & Shop.

“On behalf of all of us at MSK Kids, I thank Stop & Shop for its unwavering commitment to pediatric cancer research and care,” said Andrew Kung, MD, PhD, Chair of the Department of Pediatrics at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. “The dedication and generosity of the entire Stop & Shop community provides the resources necessary for our physicians and scientists to work towards better treatment options for our youngest patients. We are so proud to be Stop & Shop’s partner in this annual campaign, bringing hope and better outcomes to the families we serve.”

One of the world’s most respected centers devoted exclusively to cancer, Memorial Sloan Kettering has been recognized as one of the top two cancer hospitals in the country by U.S. News & World Report for more than 30 years. For more information, visit www.mskcc.org.

Stop & Shop is also involved in other initiatives, the store says. The company says it is "committed to making an impact in its communities by fighting hunger, supporting our troops, and investing in pediatric cancer research to help find a cure."

The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company LLC is an Ahold Delhaize USA Company and employs 58,000 associates and operates more than 400 stores throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York and New Jersey. To learn more about Stop & Shop, visit www.stopandshop.com.