Bakes for Breast Cancer to Hold First RI Fundraising Event
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Bakes for Breast Cancer, Inc., a non-profit breast cancer organization dedicated to supporting breast cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, has announced that its inaugural Rhode Island Bakes for Breast Cancer event will be held Mother’s Day, May 11, through May 17. The organization is encouraging restaurants, supermarkets, bakeries, cafés, chocolate and ice cream shops throughout the state to participate by designating all sales of one specific dessert to support breast cancer care and research. Proceeds will be shared by Boston’s Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Bakes for Breast Cancer, Inc.
Since 2000, Boston Bakes for Breast Cancer has been held in Boston during the week leading up to Mother’s Day. The event was founded by Carol Brownman Sneider in memory of her mother, Eva Brownman, who lost her battle with breast cancer. Since its inception, the event has raised more than $700,000 for breast cancer research and care at the Susan F. Smith Center for Women's Cancers at Dana-Farber through the Eva Brownman Research Fund currently under the direction of Eric Winer, MD.
The perfect fit
So what led to the organization expanding into Rhode Island? According to Sneider, the Ocean State was the most logical choice for Bakes for Breast Cancer's next event.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST“After doing Boston Bakes for 15 years, it was time to expand into an additional market,” Sneider told GoLocal. “Rhode Island was right under our noses all this time and had everything we wanted in a state to work with—a state with wonderful people who are foodies, who love food and have wonderful restaurants and bakeries. It was the most logical of choices for Rhode Island to be where our next Bakes for Breast Cancer event occurs. So here we are! We understand it will take time to grow, but Boston Bakes only started with 42 participants in the first year and last year had over 300 participants in 90 Massachusetts communities.”
Rhode Island participants
So far, there are 14 local establishments participating in the first annual RI Bakes for Breast Cancer event—including four in Providence. GoLocal spoke to local pastry chef Melissa Denmark of Ellie’s Bakery, which is one of the participating establishments.
“Making an impact on the community is a big part of our mission at Ellie's Bakery,” said Denmark. “Participating in this event is a fulfilling way for me to use my craft to help make a difference. I bake to make people smile. If I can add to helping a good cause in the process, and make many people smile, I've reached my goal.”
In addition to local businesses, anyone can get involved by purchasing designated dessert items or by hosting a bake sale organized by Bakes for Breast Cancer. “It is a win-win for everyone involved and most importantly, raises money for breast cancer research with the hopes of finding a cure,” said Sneider.
Expanding beyond New England
In time, Sneider hopes to take Bakes for Breast Cancer outside of New England. “Yes we would like to expand into more cities and states across the country and in time we will,” said Sneider. “In order to expand we need sponsors who want to come on this journey with us and help us raise more money for breast cancer research through our dessert oriented events.”
For more information, a list of participating establishments, or to learn more about how to become involved in Rhode Island Bakes for Breast Cancer, visit www.rhodeislandbakes.org, follow Bakes for Breast Cancer on Facebook, and Bakes for Breast Cancer on Twitter.
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