FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACTS: Lesley Gamwell
404-309-6915 cgclesley@mindspring.com
Kristin Connor, Exec. Director: 770-986-0035
Build-A-Bear Workshop Foundation Supports CURE Childhood Cancer
Awareness Month with Grant
Atlanta, GA -- Build-A-Bear Workshop® and the Build-A-Bear Workshop Foundation are proud
to support kids in their efforts to raise money for important causes. CURE Childhood Cancer is pleased to
announce its receipt of a grant from Build-A-Bear Workshop Foundation as part of Build-A-Bear
Workshop Foundation’s recognition of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
Nikki Giampolo was a healthy and athletic teen who, at the age of 14, was diagnosed with
osteosarcoma, a rare type of bone cancer. She was given the most aggressive chemotherapy and radiation
protocols available but the cancer was too aggressive. Nikki died just six months after her diagnosis, on
New Year's Day 2002.
During Nikki's illness, she saw how little could be done once certain cancers spread, and she knew
how aggressive cancer can be in children. But she was inspired by how much was being done to fund
research for many adult cancers, especially noting that while everyone recognized the pink ribbon for
breast cancer, no one recognized the gold ribbon for childhood cancer. Shortly before she died of cancer,
Nikki began to write letters to advocate for funding pediatric cancer research to do what she could to raise
awareness about her disease in hopes of finding a cure.
Nikki wanted to get some very special gifts for the doctors and nurses who were caring for her,
so she asked to go to Build-a-Bear Workshop. She made ten furry friends, dressed in scrubs, with her
doctors' and nurses' names handwritten on the "bear a scopes." She saw the beautiful pink bear, "Hopeful
Wishes" with the pink ribbon on her paw. Nikki asked the store manager if they had a similar bear for
children with cancer. When he kindly said no, she replied, "Well you should, because this store is for
kids!”
Ten days after that special outing Nikki died. But her wish was born. Carried by her strength,
Nikki’s mother wrote to Maxine Clark, founder of Build-A-Bear Workshop. As a result of Nikki’s spirit,
Build-A-Bear Workshop has created Champ, a bear that will continue to give kids hugs when they need it
most. And most importantly, Champ will help continue to fund research that is critical to helping kids
with cancer become well again.
CURE Childhood Cancer is especially proud to be honored by a grant that was inspired by Nikki.
1835 Savoy Drive • Suite 102 • Atlanta, GA 30341 • 770.986.0035 • 800.443.2873 • 770.986.0038 fax
www.curechildhoodcancer.org