LOCAL MEDIA ALERT
July 20, 2026
GRAETER’S BRINGS BACK LIMITED-EDITION FLAVOR, ELENA’S BLUEBERRY PIE, AND ANNOUNCES ANNUAL ‘CONES FOR THE CURE’ CAMPAIGN TO BENEFIT PEDIATRIC BRAIN CANCER RESEARCH JULY 30 – AUGUST 9, 2026
WHAT:
Graeter’s Ice Cream and The Cure Starts Now are kicking off the 19th annual ‘Cones for the Cure’ campaign, which supports the organization’s mission to fund groundbreaking research aimed at finding the “homerun cure” for all cancers, with a special focus on pediatric brain cancer.
For the first time, Elena’s Blueberry Pie – Graeter’s beloved seasonal flavor created specifically to support The Cure Starts Now – returns early on July 30. This flavor mixes real blueberries with crunchy pie crust pieces to create an unforgettable flavor that supports an unbeatable cause.
From July 30 through August 9, new and existing Graeter’s Sweet Rewards loyalty members can receive a Free Single-Dip Sugar Cone offer of Elena’s Blueberry Pie ice cream. When redeeming that free cone in any Graeter’s scoop shop, Sweet Rewards members are encouraged to donate to The Cure Starts Now in return for several Graeter’s deals.
WHEN & WHERE:
The annual Cones for the Cure campaign begins Thursday, July 30 and runs through Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026. Elena’s Blueberry Pie will be available starting July 30, while supplies last, by the scoop and in pints at local Graeter’s scoop shops, as well as by the pint online for nationwide shipping at Graeters.com and in local Cincinnati-area Kroger stores, Dorothy Lane Markets and Jungle Jim’s.
WHO:
Interviews available with:
• Bobbi Glassmeyer, Marketing Manager, Graeter’s Ice Cream
• Grace Desserich, Director of Events, The Cure Starts Now
HOW TO PARTICIPATE:
From July 30 through August 9, new and existing Graeter’s Sweet Rewards loyalty members (free to join!) can receive a Free Single-Dip Sugar Cone offer of Elena’s Blueberry Pie ice cream. When redeeming that free cone in any Graeter’s scoop shop, Sweet Rewards members are encouraged to donate to The Cure Starts Now in return for several Graeter’s deals. Those who wish to donate can also do so in Graeter’s scoop shops, on the Graeter’s app and online at conesforthecure.org.
Each $10 donation made in-store or on the app will be rewarded with Graeter’s coupons worth more than double the value of a $10 donation – including a free scoop.
Each scoop shop will also feature stories about this year’s Cones for the Cure Ambassadors. These ambassadors, also known as “Warriors,” are children who have battled or are currently battling pediatric brain cancers like DIPG/DMG and Medulloblastoma.
A “Warrior Pack” featuring 6 pints of the DIPG Warriors’ favorite flavors – Elena’s Blueberry Pie, Black Raspberry Chip, Cookie Dough Chip, Midnight Snack, Cookies and Cream and Chocolate Chip – will also be available online during the campaign period at Graeters.com. A portion of all Warrior Pack proceeds will be donated to The Cure Starts Now.
WHY:
With money raised from the Cones for the Cure campaign, The Cure Starts Now has funded 18 research projects and trials – and these efforts have helped triple the expected survival times of some pediatric cancers from 5 months to 18 months.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
In 2007, Graeter’s first teamed up with The Cure Starts Now to help raise money by auctioning off a once-in-a-lifetime chance to create your own ice cream flavor. The winners of the auction worked with the Graeter’s team to help develop a flavor to honor Elena Desserich, a little girl who loved life, a life cut short by cancer and the inspiration for The Cure Starts Now.
Inspired by Elena’s story and her battle against a deadly brain cancer called DIPG, Graeter’s wanted to form a lasting partnership with The Cure Starts Now – the international charity originally founded by Elena’s parents in her honor – to help raise awareness and much needed funding for pediatric cancer research. And so, the two family-owned and Ohio-based organizations created the Cones for the Cure campaign, which has since raised over $2.5 million with the help of Graeter’s customers and the local communities they serve.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Sally Boone, sally.boone@omalleyhansen.com or 314.910.1560
