What started as a summer internship quickly turned into something more. In 2024, Annabella and Shane joined Cookies for Kids’ Cancer as interns, eager to learn and contribute. They extended their internships during their senior year and officially joined the team full-time in summer 2025. One year later, they are reflecting on where they started and the moments that have shaped their journey so far.
What did you study in college, and what initially drew you to Cookies for Kids’ Cancer?
Annabella: I went to Clemson University (go Tigers!) and studied marketing with a minor in psychology. I didn’t know exactly what career path I wanted to pursue, but I did know I wanted to help people. Growing up, I spent a lot of time volunteering with different organizations and brought that passion with me to college when I joined my sorority’s philanthropy team my sophomore year. Although it took a while to finally click, starting my professional experience with a nonprofit felt like the natural next step and is what led me to Cookies for Kids’ Cancer.
Shane: I started college studying kinesiology at Longwood University before switching to communication studies with a concentration in public relations. I was looking to intern for a nonprofit where the mission had a real, tangible impact and Cookies for Kids’ Cancer stood out right away. It combined a meaningful cause with a great team and a creative way to get people involved.
What was your role like as an intern, and what does your role look like now?
Annabella: I started out as a social media intern in the summer, helping out with Instagram, Pinterest and TikTok. When I extended into the school year, I switched over to public relations and campaign development. These two areas of marketing were new to me and were fantastic learning opportunities.
In the summer of 2025 I was hired full time as the Marketing & Programs Associate. I get the opportunity to work on a lot of different things in this role. On the marketing side, I help with our campaigns, write blogs, post on Pinterest and continue my work with public relations, including media and influencer outreach. Beyond that, I work on the events team and help plan our two biggest fundraising events in New York City and Charlotte. This includes brainstorming ideas, sourcing supplies and auction items, event marketing and more. Additionally, I am on the cookies team, where I take the lead on individual cookie orders as well as the Tough Cookie program. While this role is fluid and touches a lot of different areas of the organization, every day is different and is perfect for someone like me who is still trying to grow and figure out my specific areas of interest.
Shane: As an intern, I got to work across a lot of different areas, from managing cookie orders to supporting outreach and events like the Good Cookie Campus Challenge. I worked closely with clients throughout the process and helped with campaign planning and execution. I also helped track data and build systems to improve how we organized outreach and participation. Over time, I naturally moved more into development, focusing on partnerships, donor relations and cookie sales. It was a smooth transition into a full-time role doing similar work at a deeper level.
My role as Business Engagement and Programs Associate now focuses on development, including partnerships, sponsorships, donor stewardship and grant support, along with corporate cookie sales and logistics. I help manage relationships with companies and coordinate orders, especially for campaigns and holiday gifting. Since we’re a small team, I still get to be involved in a little bit of everything.
What have you enjoyed most about being part of the team?
Annabella: I love being with the team and sharing the joys and successes of our work. Whether it’s in person at our events or on virtual meetings after successful campaigns, you can feel how deeply every single person cares about this mission. We cheer each other on and while there is still so much work to be done, it makes a very real impact for kids battling cancer. It is surreal getting to talk to kids who beat cancer and their families because the therapies we funded worked.
Shane: I’ve really enjoyed being part of a team where everyone genuinely cares about each other and the mission. You’re not just a name on an email; everyone works closely together and supports one another. It makes a big difference in both the work and the culture.
How would you describe the mission in your own words or what it means to you personally?
Annabella: Our mission is so important to me. At its heart, we’re fighting for two things: treatments that are less toxic to kids’ developing bodies and moving research quickly enough to actually reach the patients who need it. I know firsthand how much time matters in a cancer battle. When my mom was diagnosed, watching her move quickly into treatment because it was caught early and her doctors had the protocols ready made all the difference. She’s cancer-free today, and I will never take that for granted.
Children battling cancer also don’t have the luxury of time, but they don’t have the treatments and protocols they need either. Cookies and our medical advisory board are rigorous about where we invest: we fund the research grants most likely to become real, accessible therapies so kids have these options as quickly as possible. It is an honor to play a small part in making this happen!
Shane: To me, the mission is about using something as simple and loved as a cookie to start often difficult conversations about pediatric cancer. It helps bring attention to the reality kids face while supporting research for better, less toxic treatments. It’s a powerful way to turn something small into a meaningful impact.
