www.cookiesforkidscancer.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information contact:
Elisabeth Podair
Account Executive
704.657.7637
epodair@sparkstrategicideas.com

Charlotte, N.C., June 8, 2011 – Charlotte-area restaurant and entertainment group, Stomp, Chomp & Roll will host a cookie recipe contest to benefit national nonprofit organization, Cookies for Kids’ Cancer. Finalists in the contest will be invited to have their cookies judged on Friday, July 1 at 2 PM at The Flying Biscuit Park Road (4241 Park Rd) for a chance to win a place on the menu for their cookies at all six Stomp, Chomp & Roll locations until September 30, to recognize Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month. First place also includes free food for a year at any Stomp, Chomp & Roll location.

Submit your favorite original cookie recipe to: cookies@stompchomproll.com by Monday, June 27.

Judges include:

• Grier Christenbury, Cookies for Kids’ Cancer Representative (age seven)
• Kathleen Purvis, Food Editor (The Charlotte Observer)
• Lisa Frame, Blogger (Daily Pinch, Powered by Women and Mommyality)
• Kiran Dodeja Smith, Co-Publisher/Editor (Little Ones Magazine)
• Richard "Foodzilla” Grucia, Founder Good Eats & Meets, (largest dining group in the country per capita, based in Charlotte)

All proceeds from the sale of the winning cookie until September 30 will benefit Cookies for Kids Cancer. Second place will receive $100 gift card to any Stomp, Chomp & Roll locations and third will win a $50 gift card to any location.

Stomp, Chomp & Roll includes The Pizza Peel & Tap Room (Cotswold), The Flying Biscuit Café (Park Road Shopping Center and Stonecrest), Monkey Joe’s (Park Road Shopping Center), Mama Fu's (Cotswold Village Shops) and Moe's Southwest Grill (Northlake Mall).

“Partnering with Cookies for Kids’ Cancer combines the two things Stomp, Chomp & Roll is passionate about- great food and supporting the Charlotte community,” said Will Bigham co-partner. “We are proud to support such a worthwhile organization like Cookies for Kids’ Cancer while giving back to the many families in need they benefit.”

Stomp, Chomp & Roll, filling Charlotte bellies with food and laughter, is a Charlotte-based restaurant and entertainment group. Locations include: The Pizza Peel & Tap Room (Cotswold), The Flying Biscuit Café (Park Road Shopping Center and Stonecrest), Monkey Joe’s (Park Road Shopping Center), Mama Fu's (Cotswold Village Shops) and Moe's Southwest Grill (Northlake Mall). For more information, visit a www.StompChompRoll.com.

Cookies for Kids’ Cancer was founded by parents inspired by their son’s fight against cancer. Today pediatric cancer remains 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 and online cookie sales, Cookies for Kids’ Cancer inspires individuals, organizations, and businesses to join in the fight against pediatric cancer by raising the funds and awareness necessary to change the face of pediatric cancer and provide more families with the hope they deserve. Cookies for Kids’ Cancer grants funds raised to leading pediatric cancer research facilities including Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Texas Children’s Cancer Center and Dana Farber Cancer Center. For more information, visit www.cookiesforkidscancer.org. Follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Cookies-For-Kids-Cancer-Charlotte-NC-area and Twitter at www.twitter.com/cookies4kids.

The organization is a recognized 501(c)3 non-profit. Donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

CALIFON, NJ, June 1, 2011 – Cookies for Kids’ Cancer announced $700,000 in grants to support the development of new treatments in the fight against pediatric cancer. The funds will go to five institutions across the country for clinical research to accelerate new therapies to the clinic in the form trials that show great promise in the treatment of pediatric cancers.

The current grant cycle released awards in four areas – Acute Lymphatic Leukemia, Langerhans Cell Histiocytis, brain tumors, and soft tissue tumors including Neuroblastoma, one of the deadliest forms of pediatric cancer which accounts for 15 percent of all pediatric cancer deaths. Awards go to five research centers: Texas Children’s Cancer Center, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Today pediatric cancer is the number one disease killer of children under the age of 18 in the U.S. Cookies for Kids’ Cancer’s grants are awarded through the foundation’s Medical Advisory Board which is comprised of top researchers in the field of pediatric cancer from the nation’s leading pediatric cancer research institutions.

“Philanthropy plays a critical and essential role in the ongoing battle against childhood cancer,” commented Dr. John Maris of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and a member of the Cookies for Kids’ Cancer Medical Advisory Board. “Philanthropic investment in key pediatric cancer research programs will provide the essential catalyst to make more discoveries and move them to improving cure rates as quickly as possible, and a partnership between researchers and ‘investors’ in this mission will be critical to expand in order to make a difference now.”

"Our focus is on funding the most promising clinical trials," 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. These grants represent 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 these therapies hold and look forward to seeing them move from the lab to the clinic as quickly as possible."

These grants represent the first of two grant cycles for 2011. The foundation plans to award additional grants in September in recognition of Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month.

Cookies for Kids’ Cancer was founded in 2008 by Gretchen and Larry Witt who were inspired by their son Liam’s courageous battle against pediatric cancer. After learning about the lack of effective therapies, the Witts pledged to support the development of new and less toxic treatments by giving people a simple way to get involved. Through Cookies for Kids’ Cancer, individuals, communities and businesses are inspired to join the fight by hosting bake sales and other events to get involved in pediatric cancer research. Tragically, the Witts’ son Liam came to the end of his four year battle with cancer earlier this year.

About Cookies for Kids’ Cancer:

Cookies for Kids’ Cancer was founded by parents inspired by their son’s fight against cancer. Today pediatric cancer remains 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 and online cookie sales, Cookies for Kids’ Cancer inspires individuals, organizations, and businesses to join in the fight against pediatric cancer by raising the funds and awareness necessary to change the facts of pediatric cancer and provide more families with the hope they deserve. Thousands of bake sales, raising millions of dollars, have been held in 49 states as well as Puerto Rico, Canada and the United Kingdom. Cookies for Kids’ Cancer grants funds raised to leading pediatric cancer research facilities including Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Texas Children’s Cancer Center, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Dana Farber Cancer Center. For more information, visit www.cookiesforkidscancer.org. Follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cookiesforkidscancer and Twitter www.twitter.com/cookies4kids.

Cookies for Kids’ Cancer is a recognized 501(c)3 public charity duly incorporated. Your donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowable by law.

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.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May XX, 2011

Contact: Rachel Salis-Silverman
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Phone: (267) 426-6063
Salis@email.chop.edu

Cookies for Kids Cancer Awards $200,000 to Oncology Research at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

Philadelphia, May XX, 2011 -- Cookies for Kids’ Cancer, a nonprofit foundation dedicated to raising funds and awareness for pediatric cancer research, has awarded $200,000 in grants to the Cancer Center at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, one of the largest pediatric cancer centers in the United States, and home to the Center for Childhood Cancer Research.

“Physician-scientists within the Center for Childhood Cancer Research at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia are fully committed to establishing better treatments to ultimately eradicate the pain and suffering from childhood cancer. We are motivated each day by the children we treat, and are working toward the day when all children with cancer are cured,” said John M. Maris, M.D., chief, Division of Oncology and director, Center for Childhood Cancer Research at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. “We are truly grateful to Cookies for Kids’ Cancer for supporting our cancer research efforts.”

“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. These grants represent 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 these therapies hold and look forward to seeing them move from the lab to a treatment room as quickly as possible.”

The grant recipients are Stephan A. Grupp, M.D., and Michael D. Hogarty, M.D., physician-scientists at Children’s Hospital dedicated to pediatric cancer research. Each received $100,000 to continue their investigations.

Both researchers are focusing their work on neuroblastoma. Neuroblastoma, a cancer of the peripheral nervous system, usually appears as a solid tumor in the chest or abdomen. It accounts for 7 percent of all childhood cancers, but because it is often aggressive, it causes 15 percent of all childhood cancer deaths.

Dr. Hogarty is studying how to manipulate proteins inside neuroblastoma tumor cells so that those cells will not develop resistance to standard cancer treatments. Specific proteins prolong the life of cancer cells by blocking self-destruct signals used by mitochondria—tiny power plants inside all cells. Dr. Hogarty seeks to identify drugs that can target these abnormal proteins in tumor cells, thus allowing other drugs to continue eliminating the tumors.

Dr. Grupp is continuing his work in immunotherapy treatments that activate and redirect the body’s natural immune defenses to target cancer. He uses genetically engineered proteins to reprogram a patient’s own T cells—specialized white blood cells in the immune system—so they will recognize and kill cancer cells. He will also build on his previous success using this technique against acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), by refining methods of growing modified T cells before returning them to pediatric patients to fight ALL. Dr. Grupp will use the grant to take these engineered cells forward into pediatric clinical testing.

###

About Cookies for Kids’ Cancer:

About The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia:

Dana Benson
713-798-4710
benson@bcm.edu
www.bcm.edu/news

Grants support research to develop novel treatment for children’s cancer

HOUSTON – (April XX, 2011) – Developing new therapies for pediatric cancers that are resistant to treatment is the focus of two research grants awarded to Baylor College of Medicine physician-scientists by Cookies for Kids’ Cancer.

Dr. Jason Shohet and Dr. Jack Su both received $100,000 grants from the nonprofit organization. Both are assistant professors of pediatrics – hematology/oncology at BCM and are part of the Texas Children’s Cancer Center.

“The overall cure rate for pediatric cancer is nearly 80 percent but some cancers remain hard to treat, and we still have children losing their battles against this disease,” said Dr. David Poplack, professor of pediatrics at BCM and director of the Texas Children’s Cancer Center. “That’s why finding novel therapies is so important. These grants from Cookies from Kids’ Cancer will support our researchers in their efforts to find more effective treatments for some of the most devastating types of children’s cancer.”

Some current treatments also have potentially severe short- and long-term side effects, including deafness, cardiac and liver damage and in some cases even secondary cancers – another reason why novel therapies are so important.

The grant funding will help support Su’s research on two aggressive types of brain tumors – glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG). Pediatric patients with these types of cancers have less than a 20 percent survival rate. Su and his collaborators hypothesize that these tumors are resistant to treatment because an enzyme called poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, or PARP, allows the tumors to effectively repair damaged DNA after chemotherapy and radiation.

Su and his research colleagues have shown that an oral PARP inhibitor, called ABT-888, improves the tumor response to temozolomide, a common chemotherapy drug, in animal models. They are currently conducting a phase I clinical trial of ABT-888 and temozolomide in children with recurrent brain tumors through the Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium (PBTC).

Su and his collaborators are also testing in animal models whether ABT-888 will make pediatric brain tumors more sensitive to radiation. If these pre-clinical experiments show that ABT-888 would augment the efficacy of radiation, they will pursue another phase I clinical trial to study the combination of ABT-888, radiation and chemotherapy in children with newly diagnosed GBM or DIPG through PBTC.

Shohet, meanwhile, will use the Cookies for Kids’ Cancer grant to help fund his research on neuroblastoma, a disease which accounts for almost 15 percent of pediatric cancer deaths. He will test a novel strategy using two drugs that do not damage DNA to alter two different genetic pathways that are active in neuroblastoma. One drug serves to activate the p53 pathway that has itself been shown to be effective against neuroblastoma, and the other drug blocks the P13K pathway, which is a key pathway for tumor growth and proliferation. Key to this research is combining the activation of one pathway with the inhibition of the other, Shohet said, because they work in direct opposition to one another.

“We strongly believe that the preclinical development and testing of this approach is a promising path to reducing treatment toxicity and improving survival for children battling this aggressive cancer.”

Cookies for Kids’ Cancer is a nonprofit started by Gretchen and Larry Witt after their son Liam was diagnosed with neuroblastoma. Learn more about the organization at cookiesforkidscancer.org.

“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. These grants represent 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 these therapies hold and look forward to seeing them move from the lab to a treatment room as quickly as possible.”
The Texas Children’s Cancer Center is a joint program of Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital and is the pediatric cancer program of BCM’s NCI-designated Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center.

###

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.