Throughout May, 30 Denny’s locations in upstate New York are raising funds for Cookies for Kids’ Cancer by selling paper cookies for the donation amount of your choice! The participating locations are listed below, so be sure to stop by for a meal and give what you can to help us fund pediatric cancer research!

A few days ago I went to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, the place where my son Liam was treated for Neuroblastoma…and the place where he took his last breath.

It’s as hard as it is easy for me to go there. I know it inside and out. I know where things are. I know the people. I know the routines.  I know the smells. I know how to read the looks on the faces I see…some have fear, some have joy, some determination and some are just lost. I know them all, because at one time or another I had one of those looks on my face, which I always tried to hide from Liam so that all he saw was love.

I was at the hospital delivering favorite snacks to a shy, 12-year old boy from Oklahoma who has been in the hospital getting ready for a bone marrow transplant, and nail polish remover and cotton swabs to his mom. Chemo makes everything taste weird, so finding foods that a child wants to eat as they try to figure out what tastes good is a never-ending process. One day one thing tastes good, the next it doesn’t. Parents frantically search for anything that tastes good…anything…just to get precious calories into their child. It was a struggle Liam’s dad and I dealt with almost every day.

The family I was visiting came to NYC for routine scans as follow up to being treated for Neuroblastoma. Their son successfully battled back from his initial diagnosis, and then subsequent relapses, which, unfortunately, is pretty common in the world of nasty Neuroblastoma. It’s one of those types of cancers that likes to come back, again and again.

Their soft-spoken son had been cancer-free for a few years when, during the scans, they found that he had developed what’s known as “secondary Leukemia,” a type of cancer caused by the toxic chemotherapy he received for his initial diagnosis. Isn’t that the ultimate irony – the drugs used to treat his cancer caused another type of cancer, which is only treatable with a bone marrow transplant. This is the type of cancer Robin Roberts from Good Morning America recently battled.

They had packed enough clothes for a 3-day trip for those scans, but discovered they’re now going to be in NYC for 5 months. He was admitted immediately to start the rigorous process of a stem cell transplant.

Hospital time drags on….it’s awful and sucks the life out of you. 5 minutes can seem like 5 hours as you wait and wait and wait. When I dropped off the supplies, the boy’s mother was so grateful. It was the first time we were meeting, and yet we instantly knew each other. She wanted to sit in the small kitchen area on the pediatric floor designated for families and talk. I sat in the very same orange chair Liam sat in so many times. She told me she has to leave to go back to Oklahoma on Saturday for two weeks to complete nursing school. If she doesn’t go back now, she’ll need to start nursing school all over again. She is switching spots with her husband, who had just arrived to relieve her. They also have a 14-year old son who is back in Oklahoma. The emotional toll cancer treatment has on a family is one that is so hard and yet very rarely told.

While I was walking up to the pediatric floor, I walked through Nuclear Medicine and had a hug fest with the head of the department, the assistant manager, and several of the technicians. Several had come to Liam’s memorial service. We all cried together and told stories of Liam playing his blue guitar in the hallway with a small, empty box of Cheerios in front of him ready to take donations.

We reminisced how he would serve water to everyone in the waiting room, anxiously awaiting their name to be called out to go to a scanning machine that would reveal the state of their cancer. No one ever said no to Liam’s hospitality. I couldn’t believe how vivid their stories were of him. We all miss him and everyone marveled at how Liam’s sister, Ella, has grown so big.

And then I stopped in to radiology. It was a radiologist who found Liam’s first relapse, which was so small it didn’t appear on the sensitive nuclear medicine scan but showed up on a CT scan. We all thought it was nothing. It turned out it was something.

I saw people from Liam’s beloved cafeteria, where he was heralded as the next great chef. They would give him a chef’s hat and apron and take him into the kitchen to see how French Fries were made. I think the reason so many people were touched by Liam is because he took a genuine interest in them, and in what they were doing. And by doing so, showed how much he cared. It was beautiful to watch.

When I was leaving, I ran into Dr. Kim Kramer, who was one of Liam’s doctors on the Neuroblastoma team, and is now focusing her efforts on brain cancers. We hugged. We remembered. She told me that the project funded by a $100,000 grant recently provided by Cookies for Kids’ Cancer is now a treatment children are receiving for a horribly aggressive type of pediatric brain cancer called DIPG. It was a project that was considered risky but when given the choice between an option and no option, any option seems like a good option. And in the world of pediatric cancer which claims the lives of more children than any other disease, so many times you just want to know there is an option.

The fourth child just received the treatment and so far, all children are doing well. Can you believe that? Seriously, think about it…the money YOU raised helped fund this treatment that kids are receiving TODAY; Kids who, without this treatment, have very few if any options.

For your past efforts and your current efforts, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Words alone can’t express our gratitude. We promise you, your efforts are working and they are making a difference in the lives of children battling today and will help those diagnosed tomorrow. And we can’t tell you how grateful we are that you continue to be part of this journey.

Thank you for Loving Like our Sweet Liam who would be celebrating his 9th birthday today.

To our sweet boy, we will continue to do what you would want us to do and make it better for others. As you taught us, “If not now, when?”

Happy Birthday. We love you.

Mommy, Daddy and Ella

With Mother’s Day just around the corner,  we’re thrilled to share the 2nd book by Cookies for Kids’ Cancer founder Gretchen Holt-Witt.

Much like the 1st book, All the Good Cookies is a combination of recipes and stories. But this time, it’s all about the cookies!

The new book features a fresh batch of more than 65 mouth-watering cookie recipes – everything from gluten-free to treats for Fido – and dozens of inspiring profiles of Good Cookies hosting events nationwide in support of pediatric cancer research.

ALL author proceeds go directly to Cookies for Kids’ Cancer, so this is a truly meaningful gift sure to be enjoyed by all!

For anyone who loves baking cookies and making a difference in the world, Cookies for Kids’ Cancer: All the Good Cookies is a perfect way to do both at the same time.

ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY at either Amazon or Barnes & Noble!

2. Do what you know; do what you love. Are you a runner?  Ask people to support you when you run your next race. Do you work in an office?  Host a bake sale in the break room.  Are you a teacher?  Inspire your students to host an event.  Raise funds for pediatric cancer doing something that you know and love – keep it simple.

3. Location, Location, Location. Choosing the right venue you for your event is key. Don’t make the people come to you— go where the people are!  Look for a well-advertised happening in your community with high foot-traffic and great visibility. Of course, many supporters have had great success with private or in-office events. We’ve guided supporters through thousands of events, so if you’re unsure about location or would like some insight, just ask!

4. Recruit help! Ask friends, neighbors, family…People power goes a long way! If you’re hosting a bake sale, ask each of them to help by baking 4-6 dozen cookies each. No matter what kind of event, there’s plenty of work to go around – from collecting donations to making signs!

5. Spread the word. Create a Facebook group, a twitter handle, send emails and make lots of phone calls leading up to your event. Consider asking local newspapers, radio shows, and news stations to run a story on your event or add you to their community calendars. Also create a Giving Page so you can collect donations in advance, as well as give those unable to attend your event an opportunity to contribute!

6. Try to have everything donated! In addition to recruiting personal contacts to help, ask local bakeries, restaurants, and grocery stores to donate items you need. Grocery stores will often donate gift cards for you to use when purchasing supplies.  Also consider asking a local craft store to donate packaging supplies and decorations, or a local printing company to print signage for you.

7. Stock up on supplies. The Cookies for Kids’ Cancer Gift Shop has everything you need to brand your event — a bake sale kit, t-shirts, aprons, and more! It’s a one-stop shop.

8. Make it your own! No matter what the event, if put your heart into it, it’s going to be great! For a bake sale, bake your favorite goodies. Are you crafty? Sell some of your items at the event! Have event t-shirts made & take orders. The opportunities are endless!

9. Take advantage of our resources. The Cookies for Kids’ Cancer team is here to provide any support you need, and to guide through each step of the process. We have templates for signage and letters, and even tools you can add to your blog or website for branding. We can even help you spread the word about your event through our social media networks. Have a question? Just ask!

10. BE A GOOD COOKIE. At Cookies for Kids’ Cancer, it is not just about hosting events or buying cookies.  It’s about BEING A GOOD COOKIE – finding your own special ways to get involved & raise funds for pediatric cancer research. Every single act of kindness matters and every single dollar raised counts. See all the ways to Be a Good Cookie.

In early 2012, I learned of the organization called Cookies for Kids’ Cancer. I knew immediately that I needed to do something for this cause…it was personal. You see, my stepson, Scott Geller, was fighting for his own life at that time. He was 32 years old and fought for over a year against a type of cancer only seen in children.

On April 25th, that childhood cancer took the life of Scott. He asked me on more than one occasion that if he wasn’t sick, would I have a job for him in my company. I promised him there would be.Two weeks after his death, I participated in my first Cookie for Kids’ Cancer bake sale. The organizers of the bake sale even made sure I had photos of Scott at my table so I would know he was with me. He was.

As soon as I met Gretchen Holt Witt, Founder of Cookies for Kids’ Cancer, we made a connection two women wish they never shared, the loss of a child. This was a connection we couldn’t and wouldn’t ignore. It was a connection we would use to make this world a better place. Fighting for these kids and this cause was where Scott would find his job.

How can you get involved? Join me in the fight against childhood cancer by hosting your own bake sale, purchasing cookies from cookiesforkidscancer.org,  or making a donation to their cause. In addition, starting in the summer of 2013, you will be able to contribute simply by purchasing one of our specially marked packages that carry the Cookies for Kids’ Cancer logo on the back. Part of the proceeds from the sale of these packages will go directly to fund Cookies for Kids’ Cancer.

Thank you!

It takes just $100,000 to fund a pediatric cancer research project, and yet 25% of children diagnosed with cancer don’t survive due to lack of funding for more effective, less harmful treatments.

With less than 4% of the National Cancer Institute’s budget allocated for pediatric cancers (that’s for ALL pediatric cancers), we can’t progress without support from people like you.

The biggest misconception about donating or fundraising is that a few dollars here and there can’t possibly make a difference. That couldn’t be further from the truth. When you have enough people, even the smallest acts of kindness can make a world of difference. That’s the power of people; that’s Good Cookie Power! Just think about this:

1. About 850,000 people are expected to attend the St. Patrick’s Day celebration in Boston this year. If each one of those people donated  just $1 to Cookies for Kids’ Cancer, we could fund 8 new, potentially life-saving pediatric cancer research projects.
2. An estimated 4.3 million people ride the NYC subway every single day? If each of them donated just $2 (the cost of one subway token/ride) to Cookies for Kids’ Cancer, we could fund 86 research projects! ($8.6 million).
3. Around 35 million people in the U.S. alone tune in for the Oscars each year. If each person tuning in donated just $1 to Cookies for Kids’ Cancer, we could fund 350  pediatric cancer research projects.
4. The Daytona Speedway seats over 165,000. If every person attending the Daytona 500 this Sunday gave JUST $1, we could fund a pediatric cancer research grant. If each gave $150, an average ticket price, 245 grants could be funded.
5. It costs $180,000 PER HOUR to run Air Force One, and the federal budget allows for practically unlimited use. It costs $100,000 to fund a pediatric cancer research project, yet 25% of kids diagnosed don’t survive due to lack of funding for new treatments. We can’t change Air Force One’s funding, but we CAN help improve pediatric cancer statistics. Host an event, order cookies or donate online. Every dollar counts.

Join the conversation online – @Cookies4kids    #GoodCookiePower

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Hi Everyone!  My name is Stefanie Scott. You may know me as Lexi on the Disney Channel show, A.N.T. Farm! I’ve always loved to bake – especially chocolate chip cookies for my brother.

So, when I heard about Cookies for Kids’ Cancer, I had to get involved. Right now, more than 40,000 kids across the country are battling cancer. And I want to do my part to raise awareness and funds to help give each of those kids hope for a bright tomorrow.

I know that kids and teens want to make a difference, and with Cookies for Kids’ Cancer, it’s easy and fun. One of the things I love about Cookies for Kids’ Cancer is they offer ways to support the cause that anyone can do!

The most important part – Being a Good Cookie. What does that mean? It means that you find a way to help raise money for pediatric cancer research that works for you. I like to bake, so a bake sale makes sense for me. But kids across the country are getting involved in lots of ways. Some are running 5k races – others are organizing entire 5ks in honor of Cookies for Kids’ Cancer. From kickball tournaments to penny drives…No matter how you do it, BEING a Good Cookie makes a difference.

That’s why I want to do everything I can to help Cookies for Kids’ Cancer spread the word, and to show people my age that there is something we can do. I’m asking you to join me in becoming a member of the Good Cookie Club. Gather friends, family, classmates and neighbors, and host an event at your school, church or local business. Together we can, AND WE WILL, make a difference in the fight against pediatric cancer.