Eli's Story
Current Alliances
Energy Transfer /Sunoco Foundation
Since 2016, Energy Transfer has hosted a month-long employee giving campaign to raise funds supporting childhood cancer research and treatment. Throughout the month, Energy Transfer shares patient and caregiver stories from members of their team, highlighting their experience with MD Anderson.
Dallas-based Energy Transfer, a master limited partnership with one of the largest and most diversified energy portfolios in the U.S., and its employees have given more than $5 million to MD Anderson since 2014. When combined with Sunoco and foundation giving, this number is more than $8 million. These funds have supported key pediatric cancer research initiatives within MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Center.
Stripes® Convenience Stores
Stripes Convenience Stores operates more than 500 convenience stores in Texas and Louisiana. Stripes is owned by 7-Eleven, the largest chain in the convenience retailing industry.
Since 2014, Stripes Convenience Stores has conducted the in-store fundraising campaign, Stripes Stores Celebrates Tomorrows, during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in September.
The in-store campaigns, combined with generous employee giving efforts, have raised more than $5.8 million to support cancer research, education, prevention, and hospital programs for children, adolescents, and young adults with cancer at MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Center.
IBC Bank
Founded in 1966, IBC Bank is a multi-bank financial holding company headquartered in Laredo, Texas, with 187 facilities and more than 282 ATMs serving 88 communities in Texas and Oklahoma.
Since 2016, IBC Bank has conducted two, successful End Cancer campaigns to raise funds for cancer research and priority programs at MD Anderson.
During each campaign, IBC Bank encourages its customers, employees, and the communities it serves to support MD Anderson by making a donation at any IBC Bank or by donating online. Specific markets also hosted community fundraising events, such as golf tournaments, galas, and fashion shows. IBC Bank matched every dollar raised, doubling their final donation.
The two campaigns collectively raised more than $4.3 million to support MD Anderson’s Moon Shots Program® and created the IBC Foundation for ICT Endowed Fellowship. This endowment establishes a program that trains young investigators to learn how to conduct the world’s largest Phase I, first-in-human studies program that moves discoveries in cancer science from the laboratory to the bedside
Walmart
Walmart is the largest retail corporation in the world with more than 11,200 stores in 26 countries.
Starting in 2017, Walmart initiated fundraising in support of MD Anderson’s Boot Walk to End Cancer® and raised more than $290,000 at more than 60 stores. Since their inaugural campaign, Walmart expanded the fundraiser to more than 200 stores in Houston and South Texas, including Galveston, Beaumont, San Antonio, Laredo and College Station, and raised more than $2.3 million for the Boot Walk. Walmart has been a sponsor of the Boot Walk since 2017 and distributed healthy snacks and water to participants at the event.
Walmart raised funds by collecting change at every register, hosting in-store bake sales and organizing fun activities to encourage customers to visit stores and donate. All funds raised support cancer prevention, education and research programs at MD Anderson.
H-E-B
H-E-B Grocery Stores is a privately owned supermarket chain based in San Antonio, Texas, with more than 400 stores throughout Texas and northeast Mexico.
Since 2016, H-E-B has conducted an End Cancer campaign in more than 400 communities across Texas where customers had the opportunity to donate $1, $3, or $5 for cancer research. This campaign has raised more than $1.2 million with 100% of donations benefiting MD Anderson cancer programs and research, including the Careers in Cancer Science and Medicine.
MD Anderson has a longstanding relationship with H-E-B, which includes:
- A prestigious and impactful H-E-B Professorship in Cancer Research, established in 2007
- MD Anderson Children’s Art Project product sales in H-E-B Texas stores for more than 20 years, with proceeds benefiting cancer programs for pediatric cancer patients
Pappas Restaurants
Pappas Restaurants is a privately owned restaurant group headquartered in Houston, Texas, with nearly 100 restaurants, featuring eight unique concepts in eight states.
Since 2015, Pappas Restaurants has conducted a yearly End Cancer fundraising campaign in their restaurants. During the campaign period, each guest who donates $1 or more can receive an MD Anderson End Cancer collector’s cup, featuring artwork from MD Anderson Children’s Art Project. In addition, guests are able to personalize stickers naming those they’re honoring with their donations to end cancer.
Pappas Steakhouse offers a special promotion to support the campaign by donating a portion of sales from a specialty dessert to MD Anderson.
Since 2015, Pappas Restaurants has raised more than $850,000 for cancer research and programs. This contribution includes $360,000 in matching funds from Pappas Restaurants.
Torchy’s Tacos
Torchy’s Tacos, founded in 2006, is a chain of taco restaurants that operates 30 stores and a food truck in Texas, Oklahoma and Colorado.
Since 2015, Torchy’s Tacos has given a portion of sales from each taco of the month to causes they love – one of which is MD Anderson.
MD Anderson’s Michale E. Keeling Center for Comparative Medicine and Research (located in Bastrop, Texas) has received more than $220,000 dollars from Torchy’s to purchase new equipment critical for early stage cancer research.
Kendra Scott
Kendra Scott Jewelry is a jewelry company headquartered in Austin, Texas, with more than 110 stores across the country.
The alliance between Kendra Scott and MD Anderson began in 2014 with what is now known as the Kendra Cares Program. Through this program, Kendra Scott brings the Color Bar™ experience to MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital for patients and families to create their own pieces of jewelry at no cost. More than 3,000 pieces of jewelry have been donated to patients and caregivers through these events.
To date, Kendra Scott has raised more than $300,000 through various activities such as National Giveback Days, pop-up shops at MD Anderson and sales from a special MD Anderson charm. Funds raised from these efforts support MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital and Adolescent and Young Adult Program.
Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines® has generously supported MD Anderson over the past thirteen years. Its Medical Transportation Grant Program, which provides travel to nonprofit hospitals and medical transportation organizations, offers approximately 750 round trip flights each year to benefit MD Anderson cancer patients and their families.
United Airlines
United Airlines is the third largest airline, headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.
Since 2014, MD Anderson has been one of the selected organizations included in United Airlines’ Jetstream Mileage program. United generously supports MD Anderson with travel certificates for patients and caregivers. In addition, United has also donated funds to purchase two sets of MRI goggles for pediatric patients at the MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital.