It All Started with 96,000 Cookies
When 2-year-old Liam Witt was diagnosed with childhood cancer in 2007, his parents Gretchen & Larry were shocked to learn about the lack of effective treatments for pediatric cancers due to insufficient funding. They were even more shocked to learn that cancer is the #1 disease killer of children in the U.S. and that 95% of childhood cancer survivors suffer significant lifelong side effects. Those statistics just weren’t acceptable. They pledged to support the funding of research for new, improved and most importantly less toxic treatments for kids battling all types of pediatric cancers. With the help of 250 volunteers, Liam’s parents undertook a massive bake-a-thon where they baked and sold 96,000 cookies to raise money for research.
That project raised more than $420,000 and — equally important — raised awareness with people asking how they could help. Liam lost his battle with cancer, but the impact of his legacy continues. Just 7 months after Liam passed away, the treatment that the original 96,000 cookie project became available to children fighting cancer. This is a powerful reminder of how research funding can change lives in real time.
What the Witts thought was a one-time project became the genesis of Cookies for Kids’ Cancer, which inspires people to be “Good Cookies” and get involved by raising money for research for the cancers specific to children. Today, there have been 21,500+ grassroots fundraising events in all 50 states and 34 countries, granting more than $25 million for the leading pediatric cancer research centers across the country. This includes nearly $4 million donated to early-phase Children’s Oncology Group (COG) clinical trials — no other philanthropic funder has made more significant and consistent contributions to this critical body of research.
We fund the breakthroughs that revolutionize pediatric cancer treatments
When it comes to kids’ cancers, we‘re not satisfied with the status quo. We’re committed to funding breakthrough research for treatments that let kids beat cancer without destroying their bodies. Our focus is on creating a future where children can win their fight and still have a childhood worth living.
It All Started with 96,000 Cookies
When 2-year-old Liam Witt was diagnosed with childhood cancer in 2007, his parents Gretchen & Larry were shocked to learn about the lack of effective treatments for pediatric cancers due to insufficient funding. They were even more shocked to learn that cancer is the #1 disease killer of children in the U.S. and that 2/3 of kids who go through cancer treatments have long-term debilitating side effects. Those statistics just weren’t acceptable. They pledged to support the funding of research for new, improved and most importantly less toxic treatments for kids battling all types of pediatric cancers. With the help of 250 volunteers, Liam’s parents undertook a massive bake-a-thon where they baked and sold 96,000 cookies to raise money for research.
That project raised more than $420,000 and — equally important — raised awareness with people asking how they could help. What the Witts thought was a one-time project became the genesis of Cookies for Kids’ Cancer which inspires people to Be Good Cookies and get involved by raising money for research for the cancers specific to children. Today there have been 18,000+ grassroots fundraising events in all 50 states and $23 million granted to the leading pediatric cancer research centers across the country.
How CFKC’s is solving the problem
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Want to Get Your Business Involved?
From turnkey options to custom involvement, there’s a place for every business — big, small and every size in between — to help fund research that gives kids fighting cancer better, safer treatments.
