At the center of Graeter’s Cones for The Cure campaign is The Cure Starts Now and its mission to find the “Homerun Cure” by focusing on pediatric brain cancer. The campaign gives ice cream lovers a unique way to support this increasingly important cause and bring hope to those in need.

Since 2009, the family-owned ice cream brand has raised more than $1.9 million for the cause, which included a surprise $10,000 donation made by a customer last year, making it the very first “platinum scoop” donation. Graeter’s is excited to exceed the $2 million marker this year.  

From Sept. 5 through Sept. 15, all Graeter’s Rewards members will be eligible for a free single dip sugar cone of Elena’s Blueberry Pie ice cream through the Graeter’s app, redeemable at any of the Graeter’s scoop shops. All customers will be able to make a donation in stores or online at conesforthecure.org to support the cause. New this year, limited-edition ice cream pies made with Elena’s Blueberry Pie ice cream as well as special “Bones for the Cure” Bark’n Blueberry dog treats for your furry friends during the Dog’s Night Out event on Sept. 5.  All Scoop Shops will have a limited number of pies and dog treats for purchase, while supplies last. A portion of these proceeds from these items also help support its Cones for the Cure effort. 

“Every year we create our signature Elena’s Blueberry Pie ice cream as a limited time offer for this special partnership,” shared Chip Graeter, fourth-generation co-owner of Graeter’s. “Since we first partnered with The Cure Starts Now back in 2009, we have released this flavor in efforts to raise funds to find the Homerun Cure for pediatric brain cancer. We’re eager to see everyone in our scoop shops enjoy some delicious ice cream and support these children and families.”

With the funds raised from the Cones for the Cure campaign, The Cure Starts Now has funded 17 research projects and trials. Since 2011, with the support from Graeter’s, their efforts have resulted in the tripling of expected survival times from 5 months to 18 months. The Cure Starts Now was started in Cincinnati but now has more than 48 locations worldwide and an army of over 900 families united to fight pediatric brain cancer.               

 “This partnership highlights the value of teamwork and the dollars raised are making an amazing impact,” shared Keith Desserich, co-founder and chairman of the board at The Cure Starts Now. “This year, we’ll reach and exceed $2 million in donations from Graeter’s Ice Cream. Graeter’s has been a fundamental partner and we are so appreciative of their entire organization and the support they put behind Cones For The Cure.”