Founder of Jersey Mike’s continues charitable giving to advance health care in NJ
Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation is pleased to announce an extraordinary gift of $10 million from Jersey Mike’s Founder Peter Cancro and his wife Tatiana to benefit Hackensack Meridian Health, New Jersey’s largest and most integrated health network.
“This tremendous commitment of $10 million from Peter and Tatiana will benefit the communities we proudly serve in extraordinary ways and we are so grateful for their generosity,” said Robert C. Garrett, FACHE, CEO, Hackensack Meridian Health.”Peter and Tatiana have been dedicated to Hackensack Meridian Health and our medical centers for more than 25 years. This exceptional gift will support our bold mission to transform health care in New Jersey and beyond.”
Mr. Cancro, the founder and chief executive officer of Jersey Mike’s Franchise Systems, is a graduate of Point Pleasant Beach High School. He began his business career in 1971 when he was employed at Mike’s Subs. Shortly thereafter, at age 17, he decided to forego a potential college football career and purchased Mike’s Subs. In 1987, Mr. Cancro changed the name of the original Mike’s to”Jersey Mike’s” and began his national expansion.
“Philanthropy has been a part of my life and a guiding principle of Jersey Mike’s success,” said Mr. Cancro.”Tatiana and I are pleased to be able to support Hackensack Meridian Health. To this day, I emphasize the importance of giving to my team: support the community that supports you. Hackensack Meridian Health has been a true pillar for our community, and our entire state, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. It was important for Tatiana and me to give back to those who continue to do so much to provide constant care through such unprecedented and challenging times.”
Mr. Cancro’s entrepreneurial spirit is a model in the nation. He is equally committed to philanthropy and has made a profound contribution to countless communities and organizations over the years and especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are so touched by Peter and Tatiana’s generosity to our network and the Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation,” said Joyce P. Hendricks, president and chief development officer, Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation.”The last eighteen months have been extraordinarily challenging for health networks in New Jersey and the nation and this generous support will help us deliver the high-quality compassionate care that our communities have come to count on.”
Mr. Cancro, chairman emeritus of Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center Foundation’s Board of Trustees, served on the board from 1994 to 2003 and then 2005 to 2016, five of those years (2012-16) as Chairman. Peter and his family’s generosity has previously benefited Jersey Shore University Medical Center’s HOPE Tower Project, Trauma Center, Transforming Care Campaign, sponsorship support for the medical center’s Annual Golf Classics and Annual Foundation Gala events and Hackensack Meridian Ocean Medical Center’s emergency department expansion.
