Today we’d like to introduce you to Beth Robertson.
Hi Beth, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Personal connection to Childhood cancer and what brought me to be a part of the amazing Cookies for Kids’ Cancer team.
Over two decades ago, my 13-month-old baby boy Cameron was diagnosed with a rare 1 in a million childhood liver cancer. The max toxicity of chemotherapy and an 80% liver resection was all part of his early days. He is now 27 and he has a family we never thought would be possible due to the maximum toxicity of treatment. The long-term side effects are unknown. Not knowing if it’s due to those treatment years before.
I knew I could not walk away but needed to be the voice for families searching for safe and effective treatments. Years later, my grandson was diagnosed with high-risk leukemia and did not survive the diagnosis. It has been devastating to have lost him at age 4. We are just one family of thousands facing horrible diagnoses and treatments that are decades old and not meant for kids.
But there is HOPE
Cookies for Kids’ Cancer funds early research with the strongest science and the best chance of reaching a child’s bedside in the shortest timeframe possible. Guided by an all-star medical advisory board, we act as venture capitalists, providing critical early funding to prove scientific theories. Additionally, our partnerships with dedicated organizations and individuals amplify our impact, making significant strides toward finding a cure.
We have been a part of 60 active treatments/ clinical trials that kids are receiving today. Focused on less toxic, and more effective. They go to over 200 children’s hospitals worldwide. All part of the Children’s Oncology Group.
Childhood cancer is the #1 disease killer of children in the US but we will not let that slow us down. It’s the fire that brings together communities to host bake sales, events and more. 18,000 grassroots events in all 50 states and 30 countries.
Doing better together for childhood cancer fighters everywhere.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Cookies for Kids’ Cancer saw a difficult time following the disruption of 2020, when COVID significantly impacted our community-based event model, we’ve focused on rebuilding and driving sustainable growth. Since then, we’ve expanded our fundraising strategies, strengthened donor engagement, and launched initiatives that have helped us raise more and fund more each year.
We introduced a monthly giving program (The Cookie Jar), broadened our virtual and grassroots outreach, and secured major corporate partnerships with brands like Denny’s and Janie and Jack. These efforts have led to increased revenue and capacity, allowing us to grow our team and, most notably, fund nearly $2 million in childhood cancer research last year alone.
Our focus on innovation and relationship-building has positioned us for continued impact and long-term growth.
Building solid relationships is a key focus as well as transparency of where the funding goes.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
What we do:
Cookies for Kids’ Cancer funds cutting-edge research to develop new and improved treatments for pediatric cancers.
To fundraise, we partner nationwide with corporations, families, schools and community groups, equipping them with the tools and resources they need to raise money and awareness to fight childhood cancer and save lives.
We invite any age to join in hosting a bake sale, event or purchase our cookies for gifting purposes.
You choose how you would like to get involved and we help you along the way.
It’s all about being a Good Cookie.
Will you be a Good Cookie?
Everyone coming together makes the real difference.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I don’t think being in the childhood cancer world was luck but not having a choice inspired me to choose to do better for families like mine.
Being emersed in all thing’s childhood cancer related gave me a story to share. I knew so many others had a story but sometimes sharing it is just too painful. I took the pain of my experience and knew it would help others like me, childhood cancer moms, and families. Being a voice to do better so kids can be kids.
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and we are inviting everyone to help raise awareness and funds for research.
You can Go Gold, and/or Join the Central Florida Bake Sale. Don’t worry if September doesn’t work for you. Anytime during the year we will help you Be A Good Cookie!
Thank you.
Reach out to beth@beagoodcookie.org
Follow Cookies for Kids’ Cancer-Florida
IG Cookies4kids
www.cookiesforkidscancer.org
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cookiesforkidscancer.org
- Instagram: cookies4kids
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cookiesforkidscancer
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cookies-for-kids’-cancer/posts/?feedView=all
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565427166091
