Childhood cancer patients Madison and Freja spent a special morning at the iconic toy retailer FAO Schwarz, where they were honoured for their ambassadorship. 

Madison, 7, styles her new Barbie during the FAO Schwarz experience

Yesterday (21st March 2023), Stop & Shop and FAO Schwarz have celebrated nine-year-old Freja and seven-year-old Madison – patients at MSK Kids, Memorial Sloan Kettering’s paediatric oncology programme and ambassadors for the retailer’s 22nd annual Help Cure Childhood Cancer Campaign – at FAO Schwarz in Rockefeller Center (30 Rockefeller Plaza).

Both girls were treated to an exclusive tour of FAO Schwarz led by an iconic Toy Soldier and participated in one-of-a-kind immersive experiences within the store.

9-year-old Freja fills out the ‘adoption’ certificate for her new doll.

Madison, from Cortlandt Manor, NY, took part in a Barbie Styled by You experience while Freja, from Fair Haven, NJ, enjoyed the FAO Schwarz Baby Doll Adoption exhibit. Additionally, both girls assisted the Toy Soldier with the FAO Schwarz opening ceremony at 10am the same day, played on the famous FAO Schwarz piano, and enjoyed a selection of sweets from the impressive pick ‘n’ mix stand.

Stop & Shop’s Help Cure Childhood Cancer Campaign raises money to support MSK Kids, the paediatric oncology programme at Memorial Sloan Kettering. Customers can donate $1, $3, or $5 at checkout with 100% of the proceeds going to benefit research efforts at MSK Kids. To date, Stop & Shop has raised more than $28m for cancer care and treatment at MSK Kids.