How You Helped Fund Childhood Cancer Research in 2025, and What’s Next in 2026
As 2025 comes to a close, we can’t help but reflect with gratitude and pride on all that this incredible community has accomplished. Every cookie sold, every dollar raised and every event hosted has moved us one step closer to a world where no child faces cancer without options. Thanks to you, our dedicated grassroots hosts, event organizers and supporters across the country, Cookies for Kids’ Cancer continues to fund groundbreaking pediatric cancer research throughout the year.
Grassroots
This year, local communities showed up in a big way. From citywide bake sales in Richmond, Indianapolis and Charlotte bringing together neighborhoods and small businesses, to families, schools and community groups hosting bake sales, your efforts fueled research that is saving lives. Across the country, hundreds of grassroots supporters have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars, a testament to the power of community and the difference Good Cookies can make together.
Events
Our biggest event of 2025 was Cookies, Cocktails & Canapés in Charlotte, North Carolina, where 22 award-winning chefs served incredible dishes and more than 5,000 cookies to our amazing local supporters. The evening was record-breaking, raising nearly $500,000.
Campaigns
We also launched exciting new campaigns that inspired fresh ways to get involved. Cookie Madness added some friendly competition to the mix, Go Gold for Kids’ Cancer encouraged communities to shine bright and raise awareness throughout September, Art for Kids’ Cancer brought creativity to fundraising and Brews for Kids’ Cancer united breweries and beer lovers for a great cause. These new initiatives have already made a big impact, and we can’t wait to see how they grow in 2026.
Of course, we also celebrated the continued success of our long-standing traditions. Bake a Difference, The Good Cookie Challenge, and Holiday Cookies remain the heart of our grassroots movement, connecting families, schools and businesses with the simple yet powerful acts of baking, moving and gifting to fund research. The funds from these campaigns make multiple new research grants possible each year.
Team Good Cookie
And one of our favorite new chapters? Our partnership with runDisney. This year, Team Good Cookie runners from 24 states across the country laced up their sneakers and ran for kids everywhere, turning every mile into meaningful progress. These races have quickly become one of our most inspiring additions, uniting Good Cookies across the country in the fight for a cure, and we look forward to continuing the tradition and expanding races in the years ahead.
Tough Cookies
Most importantly, we do it all for our Tough Cookies, the brave kids at the heart of our mission. Each story reminds us why this work matters and fuels our commitment to finding safer, more effective treatments. In 2025, we were honored to welcome nearly 50 new Tough Cookies to our program, almost doubling the number of families we proudly highlight and support. Their courage, resilience and smiles keep us motivated.
As we look toward 2026, we’re filled with excitement for what’s next. Together, we’ll keep fueling research, supporting families and giving kids with cancer the futures they deserve. Thank you for standing with us, for baking, creating, running and showing up. Because of you, there’s hope on the horizon.
Want to keep up with our 2026 plans and learn how to get involved? Sign up for our newsletter here.