Graeter’s Ice Cream, a family-owned craft ice cream company with a 154-year legacy, has once again partnered with The Cure Starts Now to complete its annual Cones for the Cure campaign. This 11-day event, designed to raise funds for pediatric brain cancer research, saw record-breaking support this year, with Graeter’s donating $290,000. The total was achieved through customer contributions, company donations, and sales of the seasonal Elena’s Blueberry Pie ice cream flavor.
All 56 of Graeter’s retail locations participated in this year’s fundraising effort, with many stores surpassing individual donation records. Reflecting on the long-standing partnership, Keith Desserich, Co-Founder and Chairman of The Cure Starts Now, noted, “Graeter’s has been an incredible partner for more than 15 years. This year’s campaign marked a significant milestone, raising over $2 million during our partnership. We are proud to have Graeter’s as part of The Cure Starts Now family, helping continue the fight for the Homerun Cure® for cancer.”
In addition to the Cones for the Cure event, Graeter’s donates a portion of proceeds from every pint sold of Elena’s Blueberry Pie to The Cure Starts Now. Year after year, this campaign has surpassed its fundraising goals, demonstrating the community’s enthusiasm for both the cause and the seasonal ice cream flavor.
“Ice cream is a family-centric business, and it’s our privilege to support families through both good and difficult times,” said Chip Graeter, a 4th-generation member of the Graeter’s family. “The Cones for the Cure event allows us to make a positive impact in the community and with the families we serve. This year’s contribution surpassed previous years, pushing the total donations from this event to over $2 million across 16 years. It’s truly a testament to families helping families.”
The funds raised from the Cones for the Cure campaign will support up to 20 new research projects and clinical trials for pediatric brain cancer. Thanks to the efforts of The Cure Starts Now and their partnership with Graeter’s, the expected survival times for pediatric cancer patients have doubled since 2011. Originally founded in Cincinnati, The Cure Starts Now has grown to include over 50 locations worldwide, with a network of more than 1,000 families united in the fight against pediatric brain cancer.
This year, Graeter’s also introduced limited-edition ice cream pies made with Elena’s Blueberry Pie ice cream, alongside “Bones for the Cure” Bark’n Blueberry dog treats, allowing furry family members to join in the cause.
