CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Stripes Convenience Stores announced its alliance with The University of Texas MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital to help children with cancer. On Sept. 16, during Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month, Stripes will launch its second-annual in-store fundraising campaign “Stripes Stores Celebrate Tomorrows.”

Last year, Stripes c-stores raised more than $1.4 million to provide more effective and safer cancer treatments and fund engaging programs for kids with cancer. In 2014, a total of $2.8 million, with matching funds from The James B. and Lois R. Archer Charitable Foundation, was donated to these programs on behalf of the generous guests that shopped at Stripes stores.

This year, each donation will be matched dollar for dollar by generous donors. Stripes guests will be able to donate at any Stripes location during the campaign, which will run through Oct. 13. Guests who purchase a $1 pin-up paper icon will receive coupons for a free 12-ounce Slush Monkey and a buy-one-get-one-free Smokin’ Barrel Snack Co. Peanuts or Trail Mix snack. Individuals may also contribute via a mobile device by texting KIDS to 88388. Every dollar collected via text will also be matched dollar for dollar.

“MD Anderson is the No. 1 cancer treatment center in the country leading the way in cancer research,” said Eduardo Pereda, vice president of marketing for Stripes. “We are honored to launch Stripes ‘Celebrates Tomorrows’ to benefit MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital and to help fund cancer research to find a cure for children around the world. Our guests and Stripes team members have shown their generosity in the past, and we hope they will continue to embrace this remarkable program.”

Stripes employees are committed to raising funds and awareness for MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital, as cancer is the leading cause of death in children suffering from diseases.

“We are so appreciative of Stripes Stores tremendous generosity, and we look forward to partnering with them for their second-annual campaign,” said Cindy Schwartz M.D., M.P.H., ad-interim division head of pediatrics at MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital. “Their support for the Children’s Cancer Hospital is making life better for children and young adults with cancer.”

Stripes stores will also host campaign kick-off events in six Texas cities. These communities are invited to paint a red line through the word cancer emblazoned outside of designated Stripes locations. Guests, survivors, community leaders and Stripes employees will be able to write tributes and words of encouragement in honor of loved ones during the kick-off events.

The community kick-offs will be held in the Texas cities of San Angelo, Odessa, Lubbock, Laredo, McAllen and Corpus Christi,

Corpus Christi, Texas-based Stripes operates more than 700 convenience stores in Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma, more than 600 under the Stripes banner and 44 under the Sac-N-Pac banner.