You can help raise funds to support these free, vital services for kids and families by participating in CancerCare’s Cupcakes for a Cause^® fundraiser. Here’s how:

• During Cupcakes for a Cause Week, September 20-26,visit one of  over 700 participating bakeries across the U.S. and purchase a cupcake (or two!). Participating bakeries will donate a portion of the proceeds from cupcake sales to CancerCare. Find a bakery near you.
• Show your creativity by creating a free e-Cupcake to send to a loved one.  Our sponsor, göt2b, will donate $1 for every e-Cupcake sent in September, up to $10,000. Send one now!
• Host your own bake sale and donate the proceeds to CancerCare for Kids.  It’s easy—simply download a free toolkit, sponsored by göt2b, that provides tips on how to coordinate and promote your bake sale, along with ready-made flyers and signs. 

To learn more, visit www.cupcakesforacause.org

Scott’s sharing of his inspirational story, a story that includes triumphs over childhood illness, testicular cancer and a brain tumor, was a highlight of the ceremony. He both charmed and moved the crowd with his trademark enthusiasm and tremendous passion for cancer advocacy, especially concerning cancer and children.

From L to R: Diane Blum, CEO of the Lymphoma Research Foundation and former Executive Director of CancerCare; Helen H. Miller, CEO of CancerCare; Scott Hamilton

The gala, which took place at New York City’s Chelsea Piers, was a fantastically fun evening and a great success. Thanks to the generosity of our donors and supporters, ticket sales and auction bidding raised nearly half a million dollars in support of the CancerCare for Kids program.

Scott launched The Scott Hamilton CARES Initiative to promote cancer awareness provide information about cancer and support to patients. The initiative has raised over $10 million for cancer research and education. Please visit the organization’s website to learn more.

CancerCare for Kids offers free, professional support services such as individualized counseling and support groups for children and teens affected by cancer.

The article, written by CancerCare Director of Corporate Relations Christina Wyman, details the event’s history, which began in New York City in 2004.  What was initially just 12 local bakeries donating the proceeds from selling cupcakes adorned with the CancerCare logo has now evolved into a national campaign, with over 365 bakeries participating in 2009.

CancerCare for Kids was created to address the special needs and concerns of children and adolescents who are coping with cancer. CancerCare’s professional oncology social workers help families navigate the often complex issues they face when coping with a cancer diagnosis though age-appropriate counseling, therapeutic recreational activities, educational materials, and financial assistance.

Here are just a few ways that you can help support Cupcakes for a Cause:

• Download a bake sale kit and host your own bake sale, and donate the proceeds to CancerCare for Kids
• Create virtual e-Cupcakes and sending them to friends and family. Last year, 1-800-FLOWERS.COM® donated $1 per e-Cupcake for the first 5,000 sent.
• Purchase Cupcakes in Bloom, non-edible cupcakes provided by 1-800-FLOWERS. Last September, 10% of net proceeds from the sales of these cupcake-shaped floral arrangements went to support our CancerCare for Kids program.

The Huff Post’s Tammy Tibbetts also writes about the cupcakes for charity trend and mentions CancerCare’s campaign. Read Tammy’s article.

The 2010 Cupcakes for a Cause Week will take place September 20-26, during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Please visit our Cupcakes for a Cause website for more information. To learn more about our specialized services for children and families facing cancer, visit CancerCare for Kids or call 1-800-813-HOPE (4673).

The piece, written by CancerCare For Kids^® Program Coordinator Julia Little, shares tips for supporting children through a cancer diagnosis and treatment

Some of the helpful advice the article provides includes:

• Share the diagnosis early on to build trust.
• Use age-appropriate language so that your children will have an easier time understanding your cancer and what to expect.
• Prepare your children in advance for possible side effects, as these can be upsetting to them.
• Discuss your treatment with younger children through activities like drawing.

• Have a support team in place to make sure your children’s needs continue to be met.

Read the full article for more tips. For individualized support, contact CancerCare for Kids.

Join us on Thursday, Oct. 8 at 1:30 p.m. (Eastern Time) as CancerCare hosts a free Connect Education Workshop: Helping Teachers and Educators Support Siblings of Children with Cancer.

Featured speakers include Joan Fedota, EdD, LCSW, Assistant Dean of the National College of Education at National-Louis University; Melanie Goldish, Executive Director, SuperSibs!; Michelle Oddi, RN, BSN, Young Adult Sibling and Staff Nurse, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center; Jordan Sonnenblick, award-winning author of the sibling story, Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie; and Julia Little, MSW, Project Coordinator, CancerCare for Kids.

You may also be interested in a podcast of Part 1 of this series, For Parents, Caregivers and Professionals: Helping Brothers and Sisters of Children with Cancer.

Cupcakes for a Cause™ Week starts today and runs through Sunday, Sept. 27!

Find a participating bakery near you and purchase delicious cupcakes – a portion of the proceeds will benefit CancerCare for Kids! 

Looking for a calorie-free way to participate?  Purchase a playful and pretty Cupcake in Bloom™ floral arrangement at a participating florist near you and 10% of net proceeds will be donated to CancerCare.  Or, shop online from the  1-800-FLOWERS.COM^® Cupcakes for a Cause collection, offering a variety of beautiful arrangements that benefit CancerCare for Kids.

 You can also support CancerCare for Kids this week when you:

• send a virtual e-Cupcake to friends and family ; 1-800-FLOWERS.COM^® will donate $1 (up to $5,000)
• Become a fan of 1800Flowers on Facebook ; $1 will be donated for each new fan (up to $2,000 if the total fan count reaches 6,000!)

CancerCare for Kids provides free, professional support services, including counseling, education, and financial assistance, to children and families affected by cancer. To find out more, call us at 1-800-813-HOPE (4673) or visit the CancerCare for Kids website.

When: Saturday, September 19
 Time: 10 a.m. -5 p.m.
Where: The Brooklyn Flea, 176 Lafayette Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238
Directions:  A/C to Lafayette Ave.
G to Clinton/Washington Ave.
2/3, 4/5, B/D/Q, M/N/R to Atlantic Ave.-Pacific St (use Hanson Place exit, walk up Hanson Place to Greene Ave.,  then follow Greene Ave. 4 blocks and turn left on Clermont Ave.)

Special Guest Appearances by Matt Lewis of Baked in Brooklyn and Julie Mulligan, 1-800-Flowers.com’s Floral Lifestyle Expert.

Not in the area?  Host your own bake sale and donate the proceeds to CancerCare for Kids.  Download a free toolkit to get started!  The kit, sponsored by Reynolds® Baking Cups, includes a bake sale sign, helpful tips, and a special Red Velvet cupcake recipe from Matt Lewis! Watch Matt’s video here.

All through September, 1-800-Flowers.com is offering an exclusive floral collection as a part of our Cupcakes for a Cause fundraiser, which supports the CancerCare for Kids program. 1-800-Flowers.com will donate 10% of net proceeds from its collection of beautiful floral arrangements, including the signature Cupcake in Bloom&tradel, to CancerCare.  Check out the entire collection!

Visit cupcakesforacause.org to send your free e-cupcake!

Our Cupcakes for a Cause™ fundraiser has a fun and creative way for you to raise money and awareness for our CancerCare for Kids program: e-Cupcakes!  Send your friends and family an e-Cupcake, and for each one sent through September 30, 1-800-FLOWERS.COM^® will donate $1 to CancerCare for Kids (up to $5,000). It’s easy, and it’s free!

 You’ll also be helping us spread the word about this vital program, which provides free support services for children affected by a cancer diagnosis–either their own or that of a parent, sibling, or loved one.

Now in its sixth year, our Cupcakes for a Cause fundraiser has grown to include a variety of fun and creative activities you can engage in throughout September to help raise funds for our free services for children and families. Here’s how you can make a difference:

1. Send a free, virtual e-Cupcake and 1-800-FLOWERS.COM^® will donate $1 to CancerCare for Kids (up to $5,000).
2. Send your friends and family a special gift, like the Cupcake in Bloom™, from the exclusive 1-800-FLOWERS.COM^® Cupcakes for a Cause collection – 10% of net proceeds from sales of this collection, available only through September, benefit CancerCare for Kids.
3. Host a Cupcakes for a Cause bake sale and donate the proceeds to CancerCare for Kids.  A free Bake Sale Toolkit, sponsored by Reynolds^® Baking Cups, includes a sign, tips and a special recipe to get you started!

The fundraiser culminates during Cupcakes Week, September 21-27. Visit any one of hundreds of participating bakeries and florists nationwide  to purchase specially decorated cupcakes or Cupcake in Bloom™arrangements. A portion of the proceeds from your purchases will be donated to support the CancerCare for Kids program.

So, this month make life a little sweeter while you help kids and their families affected by cancer. Thanks for your support!