Charlotte-Area Bake Sale Supports Pediatric Cancer Research

Life completely changed for Gretchen and Larry Witt when their 2-year-old son, Liam, was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. After a well-fought battle, the cancer finally overtook the Witt's son at the age of six. The Witt family's experience led Gretchen to found Cookies for Kids' Cancer, a non-profit organization whose mission is to make sure no parent has to hear the words "we've run out of options" ever again.

Pediatric cancer is the #1 disease killer of children in the United States but only 4% of the National Cancer Institute’s budget goes towards fighting kids’ cancers specifically. Since its founding in 2008, Cookies for Kids' Cancer has granted nearly $20 million in funding to the nation’s leading hospitals, bringing 25 new cancer treatments across the finish line. By funding researchers who are developing new and less toxic treatments, more kids are surviving. Gretchen Witt has even been credited with “saving the field of pediatric cancer research” by world-renowned pediatric oncologist David Poplack, M.D.

Every year, over 1,000 events are held nationwide by grassroots supporters, including kids themselves, to raise money for Cookies for Kids' Cancer. So far, there have been over 16,000 fundraisers. Naturally, cookie bake sales are the most popular of these events. I mean, who doesn't love cookies during the holidays?

One of the organization’s largest grassroots events of the year is a bake sale like you've never seen before right here in Charlotte. The local Cookies for Kids' Cancer effort was launched in 2008 by preschool teacher Amy Christenbury. Her son, Grier, who battled neuroblastoma for 6 ½ years and lost his battle at age 9. Thanks to the support of the greater Charlotte community, Amy has been able to raise $1.3 million for the cause.

The Charlotte Cookies for Kids' Cancer bake sale is set for Saturday, December 9th at Blackhawk Hardware in the Park Road Shopping Center from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Selwyn Elementary School’s 3^rd grade classes are baking cookies and volunteering. That's where Grier Christenbury went to school. Blackhawk Hardware is the original and biggest location of the Charlotte bake sale. The event has expanded to more than 25 other locations in Huntersville, Davidson, Ft. Mill, Tega Cay, and Rock Hill. There are no prices at any of the bake sales. Everything is by donation only with the slogan, “Take what you want, give what you can."

Pediatric cancer nurses as well as pediatric cancer survivors and their families will be volunteering at Blackhawk Hardware. The Red Cross will also be on hand for blood and platelet donations. If you're out doing some Christmas shopping on Saturday, you should definitely stop by. The cookies make a great holiday gift or late night snack. You can also join the fight at CookiesforKidsCancer.org or my.beagoodcookie.org/cltbakesale.

Christmas cookie decorating is super popular, but it can also be super difficult. But never fear, tutorials are here!

If you're looking to upgrade your Christmas cookie decorating this year, check out the videos below for some tips!

If you've never made holiday sugar cookies before, this video from Tasty is a good place to start. You'll not only get a sugar cookie and a royal icing recipe, but you'll also learn some basic decorating techniques.

You don't necessarily have to have special cookie cutter shapes to make fancy cookies. This video from Little Cookie Co. features tutorials on how to make Santa, Rudolph, Gingerbread, Snowman and Snowflake cookies on round cookies.

If your decorating skills are a bit more advanced, consider checking out this video from Cookielicious NZ  for how to decorate Santa, Mrs. Claus, Rudolph and Christmas tree cookies.