Campaign in 30th year of helping to find cure for Type 1 diabetes
Williamsville, New York-based Tops Friendly Markets has partnered with Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation on its 53rd year to find a cure for Type 1 diabetes. This year, the campaign was held March 5-25. This year marks the 30th year Tops has helped run the JDRF campaign at its stores, raising more than $321,000.
Tops is a full-service grocery retailer in New York, northern Pennsylvania and Vermont.
The goal was to raise money to help fund research. The paper sneaker, which was designed by a Tops associate in 1993 and is now used nationally, as well as internally in JDRF fundraising campaigns, was sold at Tops registers for a $1 donation.
Since 1993, Tops has raised more than $14 million for the cause, with fundraising efforts putting the company in the top fundraisers across national corporate partners.
“Over the past three decades in working closely with our partners at JDRF, we have seen first-hand the important role this organization plays in nearly every major advancement for diabetes. Whether it be in the form of drug, device or cell therapy, or advancements like artificial pancreas systems, JDRF is the leading nonprofit fighting to find cures for T1D and improve the lives of those living with the disease today,” said John Persons, president of Tops Friendly Markets.
The grocer believes that advocacy for those with T1D is instrumental to help drive advances to cure the disease and help keep people healthy until cures are found. More than 1.45 million Americans have T1D, and about 2.1 million people are expected to have the disease by 2040.
Tops Markets operates 149 grocery stores, including five that are run by franchisees. With more than 14,000 employees, the company provides sustainably-sourced products, while helping its communities flourish through support for programs that eradicate hunger and disease, educate youth and reduce environmental waste and energy consumption.
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