Cookies for Kids' Cancer Supporters Unite to Make May 2011 the Organization's Biggest Fundraising Month on Record

CALIFON, N.J., July 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Cookies for Kids' Cancer and The Glad Products Company announce today that May 2011 was the biggest month on record in the organization's nearly 3-year history with the most bake sales held and the most money raised in a month. Cookies for Kids' Cancer is a national non-profit organization committed to raising funds to support research for new and improved therapies for pediatric cancer, the leading cause of death by disease for children under the age of 18 in the US. Founded by Gretchen and Larry Witt who were inspired by their son Liam's courageous battle with cancer, Cookies for Kids' Cancer inspires individuals, communities and businesses to help fight pediatric cancer through the concept of local bake sales.

During May, more than 300 individual events combined to raise over half a million dollars in donations to the organization. The achievement was inspired by what should have been the 7th birthday of the Witt's son, Liam, on May 13th.  Known to many as Prince Liam the Brave, Liam came to the end of a courageous 4-year battle with cancer in late January.  What followed was a call to action from both the organization and longtime corporate partner The Glad Products Company to honor Liam's birthday and to inspire support for the fight against pediatric cancer.  Glad stepped forward with the promise to match funds raised at bake sales in May up to $225,000.  This match represents the company's largest single donation to Cookies for Kids' Cancer in the shortest amount of time. Because of the match, Cookies for Kids' Cancer's total income for May, counting both the event donations and the Glad match, totaled more than $750,000.  

"As a way to honor Liam and inspire people to join the cause, Glad held our largest match since we began supporting Cookies for Kids' Cancer in 2009 in the shortest window of time," shared Molly Steinkrauss, Public Relations Manager for Glad Storage Products. "It was inspiring to see how friends, families, communities and even strangers came together to help Cookies for Kids' Cancer raise more money and host more bake sales in one month than ever before."

"We are humbled by and grateful for the goodness of people who host Cookies for Kids' Cancer bake sales. And we are especially thankful to Glad for their ongoing support in the fight against pediatric cancer," says Gretchen Holt Witt, founder of Cookies for Kids' Cancer. "Each day, our mission is to not only honor Liam's love and passion for life but also to keep alive his desire to take care of others. We do this by supporting new, safer treatments for pediatric cancer, because every child deserves the chance to grow up. We already know children who are benefitting from treatments funded by Cookies for Kids' Cancer. Every effort counts, and every dollar counts."

The news of May's record-breaking success comes on the heels of the organization's announcement of $700,000 in grants to top pediatric cancer research centers, with plans to grant more funds again in September during pediatric cancer awareness month.

About Cookies for Kids' Cancer:  

Cookies for Kids' Cancer was founded by parents inspired by their son's fight against cancer. Today pediatric cancer remains the number one disease killer of children in the United States, due in large part to a lack of funding for research into new and improved therapies. Through the concept of local bake sales and online cookie sales, Cookies for Kids' Cancer inspires individuals, organizations, and businesses to join in the fight against pediatric cancer by raising the funds and awareness necessary to change the facts of pediatric cancer and provide more families with the hope they deserve. Cookies for Kids' Cancer grants funds raised to leading pediatric cancer research facilities including Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Texas Children's Cancer Center, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and Dana Farber Cancer Center. For more information, visit www.cookiesforkidscancer.org. Follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cookiesforkidscancer and Twitter www.twitter.com/cookies4kids.

The Glad Products Company

The Glad Products Company is wholly owned subsidiary of The Clorox Company.  The Clorox Company is a leading manufacturer and marketer of consumer products with 8,300 employees and fiscal year 2009 revenues of $5.5 billion. Clorox markets some of consumers' most trusted and recognized brand names, including its namesake bleach and cleaning products; Green Works® natural cleaning and laundry products; Armor All® and STP® auto-care products; Fresh Step® and Scoop Away® cat litter; Kingsford® charcoal; Hidden Valley® and K C Masterpiece® dressings and sauces; Brita® water-filtration systems; Glad® bags, wraps and containers; and Burt's Bees® natural personal care products. The company's products are manufactured in more than two dozen countries and sold in more than 100 countries. Clorox is committed to making a positive difference in the communities where its employees work and live. Founded in 1980, The Clorox Company Foundation has awarded cash grants totaling more than $77 million to nonprofit organizations, schools and colleges. In fiscal 2009 alone, the foundation awarded $3.6 million in cash grants, and Clorox made product donations valued at $7.8 million. For more information about Clorox, visit www.TheCloroxCompany.com.

SOURCE Cookies for Kids’ Cancer; Glad Products Company