Did you know that pediatric cancer is the #1 disease killer in the U.S. of children under the age of 18. Even with this being said, pediatric cancer receives a very small percentage of the National Cancer Institute’s $4.8 billion annual budget and almost no research and development dollars from pharmaceutical companies. This makes me angry. I don’t have a child with cancer, but I have a child. And I know, I would want no stone unturned for the cure to this disease that takes so many precious little ones away from their families.
Photo by www.cookiesforkidscancer.org
Good News People! We can help! We can help provide more funds, for more research. We the people can make a difference. Every dollar helps, because it goes directly to the Cookies for Kids Cancer, which is a 501(c)3 nonprofit public charity raising money for pediatric cancer research through local bake sales. It was founded by a very determined mother to help increase her young son’s odds in his fight against cancer. In late 2007, she had the idea to bake cookies to sell during the holidays. Her small idea became a huge movement with 96,000 cookies baked and sold during a three-week period with the help of more than 250 dedicated volunteers. She soon realized more people wanted to help and in turn- this charity was created for other towns and cities to join in on the fight to cure pediatric cancer.
Photo by www.mamasnightout.org
Heather Wirtz, Publisher of my local Macaroni Kid newsletter has been involved with this charity for 3 years. I have seen first hand how it has grown over the years and proud to be a part of this local community. The amount of work Heather puts in is incredible and so appreciated. But she needs your help. Through her platform of Macaroni Kid and connections in the local community, we can help her reach her goal and maybe even surpass it! One person can make a difference- so can you imagine what we can do in large numbers? The possibilities are truly endless.
The event itself is so much fun! Heather has truly mastered the idea of a family fun day- paired with yummy snacks and raffles- all going to the charity. The Bake Sale will be at Dream Big Gymnastics in Cranston, RI on March 2nd from 12pm – 4pm. Kids and adults can play in the gym and have a great time together! The event is FREE- we only ask you support the charity by coming hungry and leaving with some yummy baked goods! There will also be a free craft, face painting and plenty of fun raffle items. ALL bake sale and raffle proceeds will go to Cookies for Kids’ Cancer!
HERE’S HOW TO HELP: Heather is currently looking for volunteers to bake and/or help out during the event. Do you own a local business? They are also in need of giveaway/raffle items (all proceeds will be donated to Cookies for Kids’ Cancer), bottled water, juice box and snacks! If you are interested in helping, please contact Heather @ (heatherw@macaronikid.com).
If you are local- I urge you to consider stopping by for a bit, or even taking your little ones into the kitchen to bake up some treats to donate. If you are not local- look into if there is a local Cookies for Kids Bake Sale in your area here.
As the mother whose idea it was to create Cookies for Kids’ Cancer says, “If it takes a village to raise a child, it takes the world to fight pediatric cancer.” We’re in this fight because every child battling cancer deserves a fighting chance.
Namaste~
Joy