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'Cups for Kids' Fundraiser in Branford, North Branford

WESTBOROUGH, MA: On August 1, 2018 Cumberland Farms launched its 7th annual Cups for Kids campaign, a month-long fundraiser that benefits pediatric care programs at five regional hospitals, including Connecticut Children's Medical Center in Hartford, Connecticut. Throughout the month of August, five cents from every Chill Zone beverage including HyperFreeze™ beverages purchased at participating retail locations across Connecticut will be donated directly to pediatric care programs at Connecticut Children's Medical Center.

To participate in the fundraiser, residents can stop by their local store at 227 East Main St. in Branford, or 2090 Foxon Road in North Branford, and buy a Chill Zone beverage to help make a difference.

"The time has already come to kick off another Cups for Kids fundraiser," said Ari Haseotes, CEO of Cumberland Farms. "Last year, we donated over $145,000 to our hospital partners and we couldn't be more proud to give back to the local hospitals in the communities we serve. To help us exceed our donation from last year, we encourage our customers to head to their local stores and support the fundraiser this month."

In Connecticut, Cumberland Farms is partnering with Connecticut Children's Medical Center, the state's only dedicated pediatric hospital, which works to improve the physical and emotional health of children through family-centered care, research, education and advocacy.　Representing Connecticut Children's during the fundraiser this year is 13-year-old Michael Ribera from Cromwell, Connecticut.

When Michael was born, the delivery team realized his breathing wasn't very strong and he received immediate testing to see what was wrong. After years of therapy, he was later diagnosed with Childhood Apraxia of Speech and continues to struggle with his speech today. Michael's cognitive abilities anddevelopmental delays challenge him every day - he's experienced blindness in one eye, a hole in his heart, respiratory issues and cognitive delays. In 2013, he was constantly sick and his breathing nearly failed before being rushed to the hospital. Michael was then diagnosed with an immune disorder called hypogammaglobuenemia, which makes it impossible for the body to fight off infections, which resulted in him being clinically ill for his first eight years. He will receive infusions for the rest of his life to manage the disorder,and he also lives with Oculofaciocardiodental Syndrome　(OFCD), a very rare genetic disorder that affects the development of the eyes,facial features, heart and feet and typically only occurs in females. Michael is continuing to live with the treatments for his disorders. When he's not in the hospital, Michael enjoys going to Fenway Park and watching Boston Red Sox games, as well as listening to music and dancing.

"Connecticut Children's is delighted to again partner with Cumberland Farms for the 2018 Cups for Kids campaign," said David Kinahan, president of Connecticut Children's Medical Center Foundation. "The Connecticut Children's community is appreciative of the generosity of the Cumberland Farms family, whose support has helped us provide unparalleled care to children, adolescents and young adults each day at the Medical Center. We are most grateful for this partnership."