STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Mercedes Gleason of Great Kills was belle of the ball at a “Beauty and the Beast” fundraiser to support treatment for childhood cancer held on Saturday afternoon at Stop & Shop in New Springville.

Surrounded by family and friends, the 4-year-old survivor of blood cancer was dressed as a mini-Belle while serving as a patient ambassador at the Disney-themed bash to benefit the Pediatrics Department of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

A smiling Mercedes posed with two of her favorite costume characters, Belle and the Beast, as part of the “Help Cure Childhood Cancer” campaign that has been sponsored by the supermarket chain for the past 21 years. Customers were asked to donate at the checkout counters.

“When we went to Sloan, we had such a nice experience for Mercedes, and it made her whole journey so much more tolerable,” said her mother, also named Mercedes, explaining why the family embraced the campaign.

“It’s so important that they have this fundraiser to raise funds so other kids can have this experience and, hopefully, stop childhood cancer.”

At first glance, a stranger would never guess that the vivacious 4-year-old is a cancer survivor.

“Mercedes is very active,” said her mother. “She loves all things Disney, including ‘Beauty and the Beast.’ She likes swimming, horses and unicorns.”

Currently receiving home-based instruction, Mercedes is eager to start in-person kindergarten by the time she turns 5 in September.

“We’re very excited for that,” her mother said.

Mercedes was diagnosed in February 2021 at age 3 with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, but later it was determined that she had a type of lymphoblastic lymphoma.

“When she got diagnosed, we were in the process of moving to Great Kills, so it was really a very hard time,” her mother said, adding that the family was buoyed a month later by the birth of Mercedes’ brother Wyatt.

“He’s been like our shining light, keeping us going, too,” Mercedes said of Wyatt, who turned 1 in March.

Stefanie Shuman, external communications manager for Stop & Shop, said that at the grocery retailer one of the pillars of giving back “is ensuring that kids can lead happy and healthy lives.”

By hosting such events, the supermarket chain raises money and awareness while also providing fun for childhood cancer survivors and their parents, who face many challenges.

“A day like today for Mercedes being with the characters from ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ having food and friends around, it’s just something we can do to bring a smile to her face,” Shuman said.