Tops celebrates 31st year helping JDRF find a cure for Type 1 diabetes

Tops Friendly Markets is once again partnering with JDRF as it embark on a 54th year to find a cure for type 1 diabetes (T1D). This year, the campaign will begin Sunday, Feb. 25, and run through Saturday, March 16. The goal is to raise money to help fund research toward finding a cure for T1D.

A paper sneaker will be sold at Tops registers for a $1 donation. The design was designed by a Tops associate back in 1993 and is now widely used nationally and internally in JDRF fundraising campaigns.

Tops stated, “Now more than ever, the onset of T1D can happen suddenly, impacting people of any age, affecting them every moment of every day, and it lasts a lifetime. Since 1993, Tops has raised over $14.442 million for the cause, with Tops fundraising efforts putting the company in the top fundraisers across national corporate partners.”

Tops Friendly Markets President Ron Ferri said, “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.”

The press release added, “Tops Friendly Markets fully believes that advocacy for those with T1D is paramount to help drive advances to both cure the disease and help keep them 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.”

Based in Williamsville, Tops Markets currently operates 148 grocery stores in New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont, including five that are run by franchisees. For more information, visit www.topsmarkets.com.