Giant Food Triple Winner® Game Continues to Bring Hope in the Fight against Pediatric Cancer

LANDOVER, Md., April 11, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Calling all Giant Food customers: from April 11^th through July 10^th, shoppers will have the opportunity to help support pediatric cancer care and research at Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center and The Children's Cancer Foundation, Inc. through Giant Food's annual Triple Winner Game. Customers who make a $1 contribution* receive a Triple Winner scratch ticket that could make them instant winners of  free store products, gift cards, or cash prizes up to $10,000.

Giant Food has raised $13.1 million through the Triple Winner Game to date, and this year the company aims to raise another $1.6 million through its in-store campaign, "Donate Hope." The Triple Winner Game supports the fight against pediatric cancer at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center and The Children's Cancer Foundation. It also provides young patients with support to help them adapt to their lives post-treatment.

"Giant Food stands strong in our support of Johns Hopkins and The Children's Cancer Foundation, two local organizations making strides in research and treatment on behalf of pediatric cancer patients," said Gordon Reid, president, Giant Food of Landover, Md. "We are proud to contribute to this critical effort, one ticket at a time. "

Each year, four local children who are patients at the Kimmel Cancer Center are chosen to serve as Triple Winner ambassadors. This year's ambassadors have several types of cancer, but they are not limited by their diagnoses. The treatment they receive enables them to continue to spend time with family, enjoy their hobbies, and make plans for the future.

• Gregory is an 11-year old who loves soccer, music, food and reading. This past summer, Gregory was well enough to attend Camp Sunrise—a week-long, overnight summer camp for children who have been diagnosed with or have survived cancer. In the fall, doctors agreed that he could return to school. Gregory has since resumed soccer and tennis, and will be trying out for baseball in the spring. 
• 12-year old Kaitlin delights in playing the piano and learning new musical instruments. Soon after doctors found a tumor in her brain stem, Kaitlin became wheelchair bound and could not move her left arm. She was able to participate in a Johns Hopkins clinical trial and that treatment caused her tumor to shrink. Today, she is back to making the music everyone around her loves to hear.
• Eighteen-year old Quincy, first diagnosed with a rare small blue round cell tumor in early 2012, was referred to Johns Hopkins Division of Pediatric Oncology for radiation and a bone marrow transplant. He is now cancer-free and out of the hospital. He returned to school and in his free time, enjoys video games, swimming, and family gatherings.
• When Shauna, a six-year old fan of both the Baltimore Ravens and Miami Heat, was first diagnosed with renal cancer, she remained upbeat, entertaining hospital staff with dance moves and witty comments. Now, with her cancer treatment complete, Shauna is back in school, where she works hard and continues to be a self-motivated leader.  

"Giant's Triple Winner Program has provided invaluable support in our quest to discover medicines to improve cure-rates in young people with cancer," said Donald Small, director of pediatric oncology at the Kimmel Cancer Center. "Fighting a disease takes the good will and involvement of a community, and we thank Giant for its partnership and continued commitment to uniting the community around this vital cause."

The Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center features one of the most comprehensive pediatric oncology programs in the country. It has been described as a "cancer research powerhouse" and includes specialized areas of expertise in treating brain tumors, sarcoma, leukemia, and lymphoma. The Center's pediatric oncologists, nurses, and staff provide compassionate care to hundreds of children each year. The Children's Cancer Foundation, Inc. is committed to raising funds for building cancer treatment facilities in Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia as well as for the research and treatment of cancers that affect children. Since its founding, the Foundation has given grants totaling more than $34.5 million.

About Giant Food of Landover, Md.
Giant Food LLC, headquartered in Landover, Md., operates 170 supermarkets in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia, and employs approximately 20,000 associates. Included within the 170 stores are 156 full-service pharmacies. Giant opened the first supermarket in the nation's capital on February 6, 1936. Giving back to the community is a cornerstone that was instilled by the founders more than 78 years ago. The company's core areas of giving include hunger, education, health and wellness, and supporting service members and military families. In 2013, Giant's monetary and in-kind contributions exceeded $13 million, and the nation's capital grocer helped partners provide 64.6 million meals. For more information on Giant, visit http://www.giantfood.com/

About Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center
One of only 40 cancer centers in the country designated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) as a Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center has active programs in clinical research, laboratory research, education, community outreach, and prevention and control. The Kimmel Cancer Center is the only Comprehensive Cancer Center in the state of Maryland.

About The Children's Cancer Foundation Inc.
The Children's Cancer Foundation, Inc. (CCF), a local non-profit organization not affiliated with any national charity, was founded in 1983 by Shirley Howard. Since then, the Foundation has raised and donated over $34.5 million dollars to hospitals and researchers in the Maryland/DC Corridor including: The Johns Hopkins Hospital (Pediatric Oncology & Pediatric Neurosurgery), University of Maryland Medical Center, The Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Children's National Medical Center, National Cancer Institute at National Institutes of Health (NIH), Sinai Hospital, and The Children's Inn at NIH.

*No purchase/contribution necessary.  Legal U. S. residents 18 or older are eligible.  Valid from 4/11/14 to 7/10/14 (or when all tickets are distributed/termination announced).  Odds of winning an instant prize are 1 in 6.  Odds of winning 2nd Chance Sweepstakes depends on number of entries. Restrictions apply.  See stores for details or go to www.giantfood.com.

Triple Winner® is a registered trademark of The Hutton Company, Inc.

SOURCE Giant Food of Landover, Md.