Sometimes a cookie isn’t just a cookie – sometimes it’s a taste of hope.

And that hope is the main ingredient in the mission of Cookies for Kids’ Cancer.

“At its heart, Cookies for Kids’ Cancer is about turning compassion into action,” said Sara Austin of Easton, community outreach coordinator in the region for Cookies for Kids’ Cancer.

The organization raises funds for research to develop new, improved, and less toxic treatments for pediatric cancer, the number one killer of children in the United States. Since its inception in 2007, the nonprofit has raised more than $25 million and helped make more than 60 new treatments available for children.

Cookies for Kids’ Cancer raises its money through online cookie sales, grassroots bake sales and other commu

nity events, as well as corporate partnerships.

Austin’s son Ben was diagnosed with childhood cancer at the age of three. He was treated successfully but was diagnosed again at age four. Once again, he had a successful outcome to treatment and has now been in remission for more than eight years. Ben turned 14 in October and Austin is so very grateful for that.

“We still help fund childhood cancer research because there are more kids like me that need us,” Ben said. “Cookies for Kids’ Cancer helps us to that.”

Ben is a two-time childhood cancer survivor of Wilms Tumor, a form of childhood kidney cancer.

The nonprofit dedicated to funding lifesaving pediatric cancer research was recently recognized by Astound Business Solutions as a grand prize winner in its nationwide Community Impact Awards. The annual award highlights exceptional small businesses and nonprofits across the United States for their community contributions.

“By bringing people together, we are helping fund better treatments and ensuring families facing pediatric cancer know they are not alone,” Austin said. “We are grateful to Astound Business Solutions for the Community Impact Award and more broadly for recognizing the importance of community service.”

Through community outreach and local partnerships, Cookies for Kids’ Cancer brings together families, schools, businesses, and organizations to support pediatric cancer research. Local events such as Cookie Quest for Kids’ Cancer and “The #superheroesforbenny Stand” continue to inspire community involvement and action.

“We selected Cookies for Kids’ Cancer for a Community Impact Award because of the lifesaving pediatric research and treatment it funds,” Paul Koss, president of Astound Business Solutions, said. “This organization embodies what positive impact is all about. It is beyond inspiring that an idea originating with a bake sale has grown to raise more than $25 million to help make so many new treatments available to children across the United States.”

Astound Business Solutions selected the organization because of its powerful grassroots approach and its meaningful impact on children and families affected by cancer, both locally and nationwide. As part of the award, Astound Business Solutions is providing Austin with free Internet service for one year.

Bethlehem native Gretchen Witt and her husband Larry founded Cookies for Kids’ Cancer soon after their two-year-old son Liam was diagnosed with cancer. At the time, they were living in New York City and shocked to learn of the lack of effective treatments for pediatric cancers due to funding shortages. With the help of some 250 volunteers, Gretchen baked and sold 96,000 cookies, raising more than $400,000 for research. Word spread, and Cookies for Kids’ Cancer was born.

Austin had been fundraising long before she became a part of Cookies for Kids’ Cancer. “I met our founder Gretchen Witt when she graciously attended a bake sale I was hosting at Forks ES for the nonprofit,” Austin said. “Gretchen was born and raised in the Lehigh Valley. We connected there and our shared vision is what brought me into community outreach.

“My background as a former elementary schoolteacher makes it possible for me to connect with schools across the country and bring them into our “Good Cookie” family,” Austin said.

“My driving force is that I do this for every other parent that may hear the words, “your child has cancer.” I want them to have options. I want them to have a future with their child.”

Austin said the national nonprofit’s funding goes directly to research. “The way the funds are designated is through our medical advisory board.” She explained research projects are evaluated by these representatives at various top hospitals across the country, including the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and then grants are awarded to the most promising research.

Austin said they have many grassroots supporters in all 50 states that host events such as bake sales, school initiatives and business contributions on behalf of Cookies for Kids’ Cancer.

“We are so thankful for so many ‘good cookies’ that are willing to join in our mission of helping fund better and less toxic treatments for children with cancer,” Austin said.

“Childhood cancer is vastly underfunded by the federal government and it is so important that we come together to support.”

“Our online cookie sales are available year-round including those of our ‘Tough Cookies,’ which tell the stories of children who have or are currently battling cancer. We also have businesses that use our cookies as corporate gifting,” Austin said.

Some of their large corporate partnerships include Denny’s, Bank of America, OXO and Young Chef’s Academy.

Austin hosts “The #superheroesforbenny Stand” in Forks Township in front of their home each June – the 2027 date is to be announced. “The stand is in its seventh year and honors our son Ben.”

Last year, Cookies for Kids’ Cancer held Cookie Quest, a scavenger hunt around Easton landmarks to collect tokens and learn about childhood cancer, and eventually ending with cookies. All proceeds from that ticketed event went to childhood cancer research through the nonprofit.

The organization’s next local event is the “Lehigh Valley Cookie Market: by Cookies for Kids’ Cancer” from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov. 22 at the Easton Public Market. More than 20 bakeries and micro bakeries from across the Lehigh Valley are donating baked goods to this special event, which will also feature a visit from Santa Claus as well as a raffle. “I am so proud of the contributions from people who care about this underfunded cause,” Austin said.

For more information, tickets and to donate to the Lehigh Valley Cookie Market visit my.beagoodcookie.org/event/the-lehigh-valley-cookie-market/e839542.

Interested in being a “good cookie?” For more information on Cookies for Kids’ Cancer contact Austin at sara@beagoodcookie.org or visit hcookiesforkidscancer.org/.