On November 6, 2021, The Children’s Cancer Foundation (CCF) will present the 2021 Gift of Life Award to Giant Food and Ira Kress at its 37th Annual Gala. The award is CCF’s highest honor –recognizing leaders, and their businesses, who have made a difference in pediatric cancer through both community and philanthropic efforts.
Mr. Kress and Giant Food will receive the award at CCF’s largest and most prestigious event – its Annual Gala, which will take place at Martin’s Crossroads in Greenbelt, MD.
Since 1983, the Children’s Cancer Foundation has donated more than $40M in grants to area hospitals and researchers to treat and cure childhood cancers. In that time, Giant Food has donated nearly $20M to CCF and proudly supported CCF’s important work towards finding a cure for pediatric cancer. In August 2021, Giant Food will launch their 17th annual pediatric cancer fundraising program that aims to raise $2M this year.
“The work that is being done to advance pediatric cancer research and treatment efforts is nothing short of phenomenal,” said Ira Kress, President of Giant Food. “And we know that work would not be possible without the grants administered by organizations such as CCF. As a community-based grocery retailer, we are committed to finding ways to serve and support our most vulnerable neighbors, and we’re honored to contribute to the important efforts of CCF through our annual Pediatric Cancer campaign.”
“We are profoundly grateful that Giant Food recognizes how critical research is to providing hope for children fighting cancer,” expresses CCF President Tasha Museles. “This commitment is best reflected in the CCF Food NextGen award, a grant for a promising young pediatric cancer researcher to both fund their research and assist their professional advancement in the field.” The 2021 NextGen Awardee will be the ninth recipient of this joint effort and will receive the grant at the Gala in November.
All 2021 Research Award recipients will be presented with their grants at the Gala. CCF will also present non-research awards to institutions and non-profits offering essential programs to children in the area fighting cancer.
During the Gala presentation, CCF will recognize the exemplary efforts of Greg Kahlert and The Kahlert Foundation by presenting him with the 2021 Fighter Award, and to Jean Kettell of Jean Kettell Studio of Dance with the 2021 Hero Award.
Due in no small part to Giant Food, their shoppers, and their corporate partners, CCF will be presenting a record amount of grant funding for the 2021 Grant cycle at more than $1.1M. CCF, and the community at large is fortunate to have such a committed and generous local company in Giant Food.
About Giant Food
This year, Giant Food is celebrating 85 years as a community grocery store. Since opening its first location on Georgia Ave. in Washington, DC in 1936, Giant has been an integral part of our customers’ lives and the communities it serves. Giant is committed to being a Better Neighbor and has designated four main giving pillars that address local Food Insecurity, Military Support, Pediatric Cancer Research, and Social Equality. Giant is headquartered in Landover, Md. and operates 164 supermarkets in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia with approximately 20,000 associates. Included within the 164 stores are 152 full-service pharmacies, 82 full-service PNC Banks and 24 Starbucks locations. Giant fits all the ways today’s busy customers want to shop – whether in store or online. With 143 Giant Pickup locations and Giant Delivery available to all our market areas in DC, MD, VA and DE, customers have even more convenient options right at their fingertips to get the best product and prices, whenever and however they want it. For more information on Giant, visit: www.giantfood.com.
About The Children’s Cancer Foundation, Inc.
The Children’s Cancer Foundation, Inc. is committed to funding locally-based researchers, programs and facilities until every child is assured a healthy future. Founded in 1983, and currently based in Columbia, MD, The Children’s Cancer Foundation, Inc. (CCF) has awarded grants of over $39 million to area hospitals and researchers to more effectively treat children facing a diagnosis of cancer. CCF concentrates on raising funds locally and partners with local hospitals in the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. area. More about CCF can be found by visiting: childrenscancerfoundation.org. The Children’s Cancer Foundation, Inc., is tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3).
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