www.cookiesforkidscancer.org

Sweeten Up Your Family Fun

Turn Your Family's Favorite Activity Into a Charitable Bake Sale

MISSION, KS--(Marketwire - July 19, 2010) -  (Family Features) Between family reunions, sports leagues and neighborhood block parties, there are many activities and annual traditions that families look forward to. This year you can make these events even more meaningful by transforming them into charitable bake sales to benefit a worthy cause.

This is a simple -- and fun -- way to enhance your favorite events, spend time together and teach kids the valuable lesson of giving back. Plus, there are many great charities that can benefit from your efforts, such as Cookies for Kids' Cancer, a non-profit committed to raising funds for pediatric cancer research through bake sales.

Baking and sharing homemade treats with friends and family, the fun of a bake sale and knowing that you're giving back with each cookie sold, will make your outings even more special.

Here are some tips and ideas to turn three classic activities into successful bake sales:

Your delicious baked treats can be used for more than just a snack at your children's next game. Choose a sports tournament or opening day at the neighborhood field as the perfect setting for a bake sale home run. Designate a baked good for each participating team, such as the Bengals Brownies or Crusaders Chocolate Chip Cookies, and see who can score the most points by selling the most treats for a good cause. Drive home winning donations with sports-themed cookies and treats like baseball bat cookies or cupcakes decorated like soccer balls.

Make the annual family gathering even more memorable and host a bake sale as part of the celebration. Have each family member come with a dozen of their favorite baked goods and sell them for donations to other families celebrating nearby. As a special gift, compile all of the recipes into a family bake sale book -- a timeless treasure that will ensure your family's recipes are passed down for generations to come.

When the whole neighborhood is planning to gather this year, propose turning the event into a mini bake sale. Encourage each family to create a custom cookie of their own. Everyone will love picking out their favorite ingredients and naming their one-of-a-kind treat; some might even stumble onto a lasting family recipe.

Visit www.GladtoGive.com to learn more tips to make your bake sales successful.

If you are looking for a cookie recipe, try the delicious Chocolate Chip Cherry Cookie -- the official Glad to Give Cookie -- developed as a tasty inspiration for those hosting bake sales to benefit Cookies for Kids' Cancer. This sweet and chocolatey cookie is guaranteed to be a favorite for many years to come.

• 1 1/4 cups (2 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup quick-cooking or old fashioned oats
• 2 cups all-purpose white flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 cups dried cherries, cranberries or raisins
• 2 cups (12 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 2 cups walnuts or pecans, lightly toasted and coarsely

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F.
2. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
3. Place butter and sugars in bowl of a mixer fitted with paddle attachment and mix until smooth and creamy.
4. Scrape down sides of bowl; add eggs, one at a time, and vanilla, mixing well between additions.
5. Scrape down sides of bowl; add oats, flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt and mix until everything is well incorporated.
6. Scrape down sides of bowl; add cherries, chocolate chips and walnuts, if desired, and mix again.
7. Deposit 2-ounce portions on cookie sheet.
8. Bake at 325°F for 12 to 14 minutes. Spin sheet mid-bake for even results.
9. Remove from sheet after baking and allow to cool.

Pediatric cancer is the leading cause of death by disease for children under the age of 18 in the U.S. Since 2009, the makers of Glad products have encouraged people to give back through its partnership with Cookies for Kids' Cancer. The partnership has helped inspire families to host more than 1,000 bake sales and raise more than $500,000 for pediatric cancer research.

Cookies for Kids’ Cancer Makes $100,000 Research Grant To Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center

NEW YORK – Cookies for Kids’ Cancer, a nonprofit foundation dedicated to raising funds and awareness for pediatric cancer research, announced a $100,000 grant to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in support of a new therapy for neuroblastoma, the second most common type of solid tumor cancer in children.

Dr. Nai-Kong Cheung, head of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center’s Neuroblastoma program and Haupt Chair in Pediatric Oncology, received the grant to support his BITE Antibody Therapy research.

“If this technology works on neuroblastoma, it will pave the way for other antibodies developed against neuroblastoma and other childhood cancers in our laboratory," Chueng explained.

Previous research has shown that some patients with recurrent neuroblastoma benefit from immunotherapy during and after standard treatment. Similar to the vaccines given to babies and children to fight childhood illnesses, tumor vaccines can help teach immune cells to recognize and destroy cancer cells.

Neuroblastoma is the second most common solid tumor seen in children but causes about 15 percent of childhood cancer deaths each year. Pediatric cancer claims the lives of more children under the age of 18 in the United States than any other disease, but research for the disease has been historically under-funded. Because of this, approximately half of the treatments available are more than 20 years-old. Cookies for Kids’ Cancer’s goal is to fund therapies that give children battling cancer new, better, and safer options for overcoming the disease.

The grant to Cheung was one of the first awarded by Cookies for Kids’ Cancer, which was launched in September 2008. The goal of the organization is to raise funds for research through the concept of local bake sales. Two additional grants have been awarded by Cookies for Kids’ Cancer in 2010 with more planned for later in the year.

“Our focus is on funding the most promising clinical trials that will get to children as quickly as possible,” Cookies for Kids’ Cancer Founder Gretchen Witt said. “We have always believed that if people learn about the need for funding, they will support the cause. This grant represents the support of thousands of people who have held bake sales, bought cookies and believed, like we do, that we can and will make a difference in the lives of children battling cancer. We are very excited about the possibilities this therapy holds and look forward to seeing it move from the lab to a treatment room as quickly as possible.”

Cookies for Kids’ Cancer was founded in 2008 by Gretchen and Larry Witt, parents inspired by their son’s ongoing battle with pediatric cancer. The foundation, headquartered in New Jersey, started with a holiday cookie sale in 2007 which baked and sold 96,000 cookies with a team of more than 250 volunteers. The sale raised more than $400,000 in support of a promising pediatric cancer treatment and led to the founding of an organization that supports all types of pediatric cancer. Since the success of the first event, thousands of bake sales have been held across the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the United Kindom. In addition to bake sales, gourmet cookies are offered year round with 100 percent of the profit going directly to pediatric cancer research. The organization operates with no overhead costs and directs every dollar raised to research. To learn more or get involved, visit www.cookiesforkidscancer.org.

Grants help fund research into potential new treatments for common childhood cancers

HOUSTON – (March 31, 2010) – Recent grants to Baylor College of Medicine doctors will support research into new therapies for two of the most common childhood cancers.

Dr. Chrystal Louis, assistant professor of pediatrics – hematology/oncology, received two grants for her research into the effectiveness of combining immunotherapy with low-dose chemotherapy for patients with neuroblastoma that has either recurred or is not responding to standard treatment.

The $100,000 and $50,000 grants, respectively, from nonprofits Team Connor Cancer Foundation and Cookies for Kids’ Cancer will help fund a new clinical trial expected to start enrolling patients this summer at Texas Children’s Cancer Center.

“Although this trial focuses on children with neuroblastoma, the results could help other children and adults with hard to treat cancers by allowing scientists to understand new ways to use chemotherapy with immunotherapy in order to fight disease,” Louis said.

Previous research has shown that some patients with recurrent neuroblastoma benefit from immunotherapy during and after standard treatment. Similar to the vaccines given to babies and children to fight childhood illnesses, tumor vaccines can help teach immune cells to recognize and destroy cancer cells, Louis explained.

Neuroblastoma is the second most common solid tumor seen in children but causes about 15 percent of childhood cancer deaths each year.

Cookies for Kids’ Cancer also gave $35,000 to Dr. Karen Rabin, assistant professor of pediatrics – hematology/oncology, for research into novel treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the most common childhood cancer.

“There have been some exciting recent discoveries about gene mutations that occur in a subset of pediatric ALL patients who have poorer survival,” Rabin said. “These mutations can be targeted by new treatments developed to block the genes that are activated by these mutations.”

Changes to the genes JAK2 and CRLF2 activate a signaling pathway that promotes cancer in these leukemia cases, but the new treatment under study blocks that signaling, Rabin explained. The potential treatment may also have fewer side effects than conventional chemotherapy combinations that are given for ALL because it acts selectively on this signaling pathway rather than indiscriminately killing all dividing cells, she said.

The grants to Rabin and Louis were among the first ever awarded by Cookies for Kids’ Cancer, which was launched in September 2008 by Gretchen and Larry Witt after their son Liam was diagnosed with neuroblastoma. The goal of the national non-profit organization is to raise funds for research through the concept of local bake sales.

“Our focus is on funding the most promising clinical trials that will get to children as quickly as possible,” Gretchen Witt said. “We hope these grants mark the start of a long relationship with Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Cancer Center in order to provide more options against this insidious disease that preys on the most innocent members of our society, our children.”

Team Connor was created by Joy and Tait Cruse, who lost their son Connor to neuroblastoma in 2009.

Community Service is a Family's Most Treasured Family Recipe

The Glad® 'Recipe for Giving' Contest Encourages Families to Share Their Passion for Giving and Sharing Food to Help the Community

OAKLAND, Calif., April 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Participating in charitable service and volunteering locally not only can benefit and strengthen your community, it can also strengthen your family ties. The Glad Products Company wants to celebrate and reward families who build bonds by building their communities with its "Recipe for Giving" Contest.

Now through June 30, Glad invites families to submit their own "Recipe for Giving"– or a story, idea and example of how their family gives back with food – whether it's delivering a homemade pumpkin pie to the local fire station every Thanksgiving or hosting an annual charitable bake sale. Entries must be 100 words or less and submitted via the Glad to Give™ page on Facebook® or www.gladtogive.com. Each of the four finalists receives $1,000 and will go on to compete in a Cookies for Kids' Cancer™ fundraising event for a grand prize voluntourism trip for four to the island of St. Lucia.

Since 2009, the makers of Glad® products have encouraged people to give back through its partnership with Cookies for Kids' Cancer™, a non-profit organization committed to raising funds for pediatric cancer research through local bake sales. Pediatric cancer is the leading cause of death by disease for children under the age of 18 in the U.S., yet approximately half of the drugs used to treat children with cancer are at least 20 years old(1). In 2009, Glad® and Cookies for Kids' Cancer™ inspired families to host more than 600 bake sales that helped raise more than $340,000 for pediatric cancer research.

"Glad's partnership with Cookies for Kids' Cancer started as a simple idea – people use Glad products to organize and store their bake sale treats – but it has transformed into something bigger, helping inspire people to do what they love by making and sharing food to help fight pediatric cancer," said Vicki Haber, PR Manager for Glad®. "We've heard from many of the people who have been getting involved that the time spent together as a family prepping and hosting a bake sale can be a great way to teach their children about the wonders and joy of giving back. We want to help spread this idea of family service, and hear the other ways families are getting involved together."

While Glad® products have always played an important role at any bake sale, now Glad is making them even sweeter. Starting this May, every time a consumer purchases specially marked Glad® products and enters a code online, The Glad Products Company will make a $1 donation to Cookies for Kids' Cancer™, up to $200,000.

Learn more about the contest, product match and Cookies for Kids' Cancer at www.GladtoGive.com or on the Glad to Give™ page on Facebook®. Register your bake sale, buy cookies and learn more about Cookies for Kids' Cancer™ at www.cookiesforkidscancer.org.

Grants help fund research into potential new treatments for common childhood cancers

HOUSTON – (March 31, 2010) – Recent grants to Baylor College of Medicine doctors will support research into new therapies for two of the most common childhood cancers.

Dr. Chrystal Louis, assistant professor of pediatrics – hematology/oncology, received two grants for her research into the effectiveness of combining immunotherapy with low-dose chemotherapy for patients with neuroblastoma that has either recurred or is not responding to standard treatment.

The $100,000 and $50,000 grants, respectively, from nonprofits Team Connor Cancer Foundation and Cookies for Kids’ Cancer will help fund a new clinical trial expected to start enrolling patients this summer at Texas Children’s Cancer Center. “Although this trial focuses on children with neuroblastoma, the results could help other children and adults with hard to treat cancers by allowing scientists to understand new ways to use chemotherapy with immunotherapy in order to fight disease,” Louis said.

Previous research has shown that some patients with recurrent neuroblastoma benefit from immunotherapy during and after standard treatment. Similar to the vaccines given to babies and children to fight childhood illnesses, tumor vaccines can help teach immune cells to recognize and destroy cancer cells, Louis explained. Neuroblastoma is the second most common solid tumor seen in children but causes about 15 percent of childhood cancer deaths each year.

Cookies for Kids’ Cancer also gave $35,000 to Dr. Karen Rabin, assistant professor of pediatrics – hematology/oncology, for research into novel treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the most common childhood cancer.

“There have been some exciting recent discoveries about gene mutations that occur in a subset of pediatric ALL patients who have poorer survival,” Rabin said. “These mutations can be targeted by new treatments developed to block the genes that are activated by these mutations.”

Changes to the genes JAK2 and CRLF2 activate a signaling pathway that promotes cancer in these leukemia cases, but the new treatment under study blocks that signaling, Rabin explained. The potential treatment may also have fewer side effects than conventional chemotherapy combinations that are given for ALL because it acts selectively on this signaling pathway rather than indiscriminately killing all dividing cells, she said.

The grants to Rabin and Louis were among the first ever awarded by Cookies for Kids’ Cancer, which was launched in September 2008 by Gretchen and Larry Witt after their son Liam was diagnosed with neuroblastoma. The goal of the national non-profit organization is to raise funds for research through the concept of local bake sales.

“Our focus is on funding the most promising clinical trials that will get to children as quickly as possible,” Gretchen Witt said. “We hope these grants mark the start of a long relationship with Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Cancer Center in order to provide more options against this insidious disease that preys on the most innocent members of our society, our children.”

Team Connor was created by Joy and Tait Cruse, who lost their son Connor to neuroblastoma in 2009.

PETIT CONFECTION TO LAUNCH AT “THE SWEETEST THING” EVENT

MAMAISTA and Cookies for Kids’ Cancer to Serve as Event Partners

NEW YORK (March 31, 2010) ─ Petit Confection, a French inspired children’s clothing line,will debut at “The Sweetest Thing” party on Tuesday, May 4 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm at beloved West Village eatery Sweetiepie. The event will be hosted by MAMAISTA, a daily e-newsletter for chic moms and Cookies for Kids’ Cancer™ charity, who raises funds and awareness for pediatric cancer research through nationwide bake sales. “The Sweetest Thing” willserve as a pre-Mother's Day gathering where guests will enjoy a fashion show debuting the Petit Confection collection, a pamper hour, tea party, gifts and more.

“The Sweetest Thing" party is the perfect launch platform for my new lifestyle company,” said Olivia Anh-Chi Huynh, creator of Petit Confection. I’m thrilled to partner with MAMAISTA and Cookies for Kids’ Cancer, as they share my vision for bringing together a community of passionate moms. On this pre-Mother’s Day event, we will be honoring moms and hope this will provide the inspiration to do great things.”

Petit Confection offers children’s apparel for moms who refuse to compromise style when it comes to dressing their little ones. The line is upscale chic, yet whimsical and playful. Petit Confection will offer a unique retail approach and will be sold via home trunk shows. Mothers everywhere in the country will have the ability to view the products in person, while bonding with their loved ones. There will also be an online magazine that gives voice to the Petit Confection community.

Petit Confection looks forward to a continued relationship with Cookies for Kids Cancer™ to benefit their cause, and plans to work with them on auctions during the month of May, in addition to collaborative trunk shows and bakes sales throughout the year.

About Petit Confection

Petit Confection is the creation of fashion designer Olivia Anh-Chi Huynh, who has been designing and serving as creative director in the children’s market for the past four years. She helped her family-owned business Fantaisie Kids become a leader in special occasions wear for infants and girls, and it’s now sold at Lord & Taylor stores and better boutiques. With her newest venture, Olivia is utilizing both her design talents and passion for customer relations, as the line will be sold online and via trunk show parties, a new and fresh concept that she hopes will involve moms nationwide. In her ongoing efforts to make Petit Confection truly a lifestyle company, she will also introduce an online magazine that celebrates beautiful style, life, and love…For more information, visit www.petitconfection.com.

About MAMAISTA

MAMAISTA (the chic little daily for moms) is a free daily e-mail newsletter and website that delivers the coolest, most useful products and services for babies, tykes, tots and moms. The site was recently featured in Pregnancy magazine as a “must-see” destination for moms and ranked as one of the top mom websites by TheBump and Mashable. Elina Furman is the co-founder of Mamaista.com. A media vet with over 15 years of experience producing lifestyle content for women, she launched Mamaista to help moms filter through the myriad of products and resources online. For more information, visit www.mamaista.com.

About Cookies for Kids’ Cancer™

Cookies for Kids’ Cancer™ was founded by a mom inspired by her son’s ongoing fight against cancer. Today pediatric cancer is the number one disease killer of children in the United States, due in large part to a lack of funding for research into new and improved therapies. Through the concept of local bake sales, Cookies for Kids’ Cancer™ inspires individuals, organizations, and businesses to join in the fight against pediatric cancer by raising funds and awareness necessary to change the face of pediatric cancer and provide more families with the hope they deserve. For more information, visit www.cookiesforkidscancer.org.